Recognizing the importance of both color vibrancy and paper storage capabilities, he once again immersed himself in his lab, conducting countless experiments to fine-tune the manufacturing process, carefully controlling humidity and temperature.

After three rounds of final testing, the independently developed all-cotton watercolor paper with improved quality entered the market in March 2014.

The next year, his technology of making the paper was recognized by the China National Light Industry Council, stating that it filled the market gap for domestic high-quality watercolor paper and reached international advanced levels.

Furthermore, the paper-making project was awarded a prestigious prize from the council for technological progress in 2020.

Ding Chongqiong, a renowned watercolor artist in the province and teacher at Baoding-based Hebei Agricultural University, has been involved in multiple tests of the watercolor paper developed by Shi.

"When I heard that a local entrepreneur wanted to fully develop a high-end watercolor paper, I felt it was my obligation as an artist to help," Ding said.

"His paper is very advanced in terms of thickness, durability, water absorption and other important characteristics," she said, adding that it caters very well to the tastes of artists.

According to Ding, Shi has frequently discussed papers with artists like her, asking for their suggestions for improvement.

Shi's passion for relentlessly pursuing excellence in the manufacture of watercolor paper has not only helped improve the country's watercolor paper industry, but also received recognition both domestically and internationally.

He was chosen to participate in the drafting and formulation of a new national standard for watercolor paper that came into force in 2021.