Duan Haijun from Chongqing Normal University and his painting. [Photo/People's Daily Online]

According to Duan, shocked by a vivid blue rose drawn by ballpoint pen, he started his artistic creation efforts during the last year of high school. However, having zero experience with such drawings, he had to devote a large amount of time practicing. A 10-hour practice was usual back then.

Duan has a callus on the middle finger of his right hand. It was formed during his practice. His works, including those portraits, landscape painting or paintings of animals, are all vivid and detailed.

By now he has finished more than 50 pieces of works. Duan would spend at least 10 hours on one piece of work. One of his works even took him a month.

During his three years of college life, some offered to buy his drawings. But Duan refused all of them, saying his works are a demonstration of his growth. Sometimes he gave his drawings to his friends as gifts, but never sold them.

Duan's teacher Professor Xiang Huiling also praised his student, saying that they greatly encourage those who innovate within their artistic creations.