Chapter 848 - Orders From The Art Society
Landon chuckled and found Marcus' thinking to be too close-minded.
It's okay for one to love his/her particulate art style.
But forcing others to only paint the way they paint was wrong.
Not everyone liked looking at those types of paintings every day.
It was an artist's given rights to paint as they chose.
Just because the painting didn't fall into any of their categories didn't mean that it was garbage.
"Alright.
You've stated why you want me to stop all art courses.
But you have yet to tell me why you also want me to stop selling paint and other supplies."
Listening to Landon, Marcus thought that he had agreed to stop his academy from teaching art courses.
Good.
Now he huts had to make the best stop selling paint, canvases and so on.
.
Marcus lifted his chin like a proud Peac.o.c.k and puffed out his chest.
"It's simple.
Painting is something for the nobles and aristocrats.
And even if one was to take a peasant as a disciple, they will still work strictly under our control at all times.
The arts society's prestige has always been grand with people fighting just to be our handymen, talk less of being a disciple.
But over these past years, that prestige has diminished somewhat.
Now, ordinary peasants can buy your stupid Baymardian paint pallets, paint canvases and brushes at low prices.
Do you know that the art society has business with those who regularly supplied paint?
We have shares in their business.
And now, we are losing money!"
The more Marcus spoke, the angrier he became.
His chest raised and dropped as he retold what he and his society had gone through over the years.
Previously, a single cup of paint would cost one 750 copper coins.
But the Baymardians sold toothpaste-like tubes for 5 copper coins each.
One should know that 1 and a half tubes of paint was equivalent to 1 cup of paint that they sold for 750 copper coins.
So weren't they losing money?
Obviously, the people chose 5 Copper coins over 750 copper coins any day.
Plus, they weren't fools.
The quality of the Baymardian paint was far richer than what the society offered.
Also, there were many types of paint in different forms, like paste, dried paint on pallets, and liquid.
And the colour range was extensive.
All these had way better quality, were affordable and very easy to find in many stores.
Not to talk of the canvas and paintbrushes available that were well made.
It was easy to see why the Art Society was losing money.
But Landon felt like if they lowered their prices, they would be fine.
.
Firstly, their process of making paint was far simpler than his.
They typically combined coloured rocks, clay, earth, bone, flowers and other substances to make paint.
Egg yolks were commonly used as the primary binding medium, which created a quick drying matt finish.
And at times, they used wax as the binding agent too.
The reason why it was so expensive was because the nobles wanted to ensure that only a specific type of person could afford it.
For sure, some peasants could afford it.
But the cost was double what they make monthly.
So they would have to save diligently to get a single cup of paint in one colour.
And if they wanted another colour, they would have to pay that same amount for another cup.
In the end, many peasants who wanted to paint gave up or tried to find a master who would pay for their things.
But in return, 80% of every painting they made and sold would go to their master.
One could see how valuable paint was.
Again, it was in high demand, especially by the nobles and royals.
Why?
Because unlike what most movies would make one believe back on earth, the royals painted their walls and ceilings to showcase their wealth.
The ceilings had Gods, ancestors, and even some monarchs painted on them, the walls in the hallways had all sorts of designs and so on.
It was their very own wallpaper and ceiling design.
So paint artists were in high demand.
And the thing was that the art society and those making the paint only used their slaves as workers so that the paint-making process couldn't spread.
And so, they had been occupying the market for hundreds and thousands of years.
All paint makers belonged to the art society and were registered members.
They are the people one went to if he or she needed paint.
But now, they have serious competition.
.
"In other words, you blame me for your loss?"
"Yes!
If not for your fake paint, how else would we be in this situation?"
Landon smiled broadly and tapped his finger on his armrest.
"Then how about I give you all a suggestion?
Why not lower the prices?
Surely, you of all people know how ridiculous it is."
Marcus scoffed in disdain at the mere thought of Landon's so-called advice.
"Keep your advice to yourself.
What do you know about our paint-making process?
It is highly difficult to make and requires a full 6 months to create a single cup of paint."
Landon secretly rolled his eyes.
A full 6 months indeed.
Who was this guy trying to fool?
With their paint-making procedures, they could make buckets of paint in a single afternoon.
So what sh**y process needs a full 6 months for just a single cup?
This was probably the bullish** story they passed to the peasants and everyone else, brainwashing them of its price.
To put it simply, these people from the art society were Con-Men.
"We, from the arts society, have one more demand that must be completed."
"Oh?
Mr. Marcus, I'm here to listen to all your complaints.
So what else do you need done?"
Marcus looked at Landon in satisfaction as he felt that the brat was rushing to please him.
Maybe he was that bad after all.
"We, the Society, have seen the functionality of your pencils, pens, rulers and books.
And, we approve of them.
But, they should only be sold to nobles and royals through us.
These goods are art materials and should only be sold by the Art Society.
So you have to hand over the production process immediately!"
--Silence--
[The secretaries: (0∆0) Is this guy asking for death?
The Baymardian Guards who were secretly shaking their heads: Bro, why did you have to go there?... Sigh...]