Art post: Abort, Retry, Fail illustration

[pandora_culpa]

So months ago, I signed up for the holicminibang as an artist, mostly so that I could illustrate one of evil_whimsey's fics. She's such a brilliant writer- far better than I- and my bestest pal to boot, so it was a real pleasure to draw for her.

(also, this provided me with fuel for my own xxxHolic fic, which I am working on for became_fire- my massively behind schedule help_haiti fic. Which is moving, actually, all the moreso now that I've spend some time inside those boy's heads.)

At any rate, the summer slipped past me awfully fast and busy, and I didn't get as much time to spend on this as I'd hoped, but it still came out pretty darned well all things considered. I'm pleased with it. And many thanks have to go to enemytosleep and psiten, both of whom- when I was having a meltdown over anatomy and foreshortening one night- were kind enough to act as models and shoot photos which they emailed me, so that I had some sources to go by. *massive hugs*

So anyway, here's the illustration to Whimsey's fantastic story, Abort, Retry, Fail, which you should really all go and read, because it is fabulous.

Warnings: Art contains boykissing and frottage.

Comments

[enemytosleep]

Oooo pretty! Bob Fish will predict that my favorite part about this is Watanuki's bum. ^_^

[pandoraculpa.livejournal.com]

He does have a pretty fine ass, doesn't he? Who knew? Haha- clearly Doumeki does!

Thanks, glad you liked it, and thank you yet again for your kindness in modeling for me. *hugs*!

[enemytosleep]

No problem, dude! Glad I could help.

[bob_fish.livejournal.com]

I certainly would. I also want to know which of the dudes you posed for. XD

[enemytosleep]

You can't tell? *wibble*

[bob_fish.livejournal.com]

The one with the lovely bottom?

[enemytosleep]

I'm glad you think my bottom is so cute and pert, but no. *thought you were my friend* How can you not recognize my knee???

[bob_fish.livejournal.com]

It's really dark? *big puppy eyes*

[bob_fish.livejournal.com]

Ooh, lovely. I like what you've done with the musculature and the soft light coming in through the window. And the butt (never seen xxxHolic so I don't actually know the dude in question).

[pandoraculpa.livejournal.com]

*grins* Thank you! I had a lot of fun working on this- I don't get to do illustration much anymore, so this was a real treat. And Whimsey's story was simply amazing; couldn't ask for a better fic to play with. I just wish I'd had more time, to do a couple other scenes as well.

Oh, and the dude with the butt is Watanuki. If you like nouveau, you ought to check out xxxHolic; it's not pure nouveau, but it definitely influences the art. Lovely stuff- and the story and characters are wonderful as well.

[became-fire.livejournal.com]

Oh that's lovely! <3 Glad to hear my fic is coming along well too ^_^ Though I am madly jealous that you can both write fabulously and draw as well!

[pandoraculpa.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I'm glad you like it. And I am *dreadfully* sorry that it's taking this long to get your fic done. Main thing is, I don't want to blow through it and give you something half-assed, and man is Doumeki a tough nut to crack!! He gives me a little, then he shuts up for a week or more, then starts muttering at me as I settle in to bed (which forces me to jump up and write it down immediately, because you *don't* pass up whatever snippet he deigns to offer. You just don't.)

But I think it's starting to flow a little. There is still massive amounts to revision that will be needed for the opening, when I was still feeling my way through and trying to make sense of the random things he was tossing out, but it's starting to coalesce. And I know where it's going now, so I can see how to get there. So, very much yay! It's over 700 words at the moment (which really doesn't sound like much, does it?), but I'm estimating that's only about 1/3 of the eventual size. Which probably means it's going to be more like 5000 words, if my most recent track record for estimating word counts stands. >.<

And the drawing... well, I'm a frustrated artist. It's what I initially went to college for, until I hit a block the size of Rhode Island. Writing was meant to be a hobby to stimulate the right side of my brain-- just happened that it took off, and now I do that more than draw or paint. Funny how life works.

[became-fire.livejournal.com]

Apologies for the delay, been away on holiday and this comment got lost in my sea of alert emails initially.

Am muchly excited for the story and still more than happy to wait, it's no problem at all! I'd rather it comes along at it's own pace than be something you feel like you're forcing :)

[evil-whimsey.livejournal.com]

I know I've told you this a bunch of times, but fuck me, this is so pretty. Everytime I look at it, I get hung up on some new tiny gorgeous little detail. Today, I've left off drooling over Watanuki's elbow, in favor of Doumeki's jaw and the compelling velvety shadow along the back of his neck.

I think that 'picture worth a thousand words' cliche is a gross underestimate because dude, that jawline alone is worth 500.

If I ever slip and start talking out loud about chaining you to a desk and drawing tablet, please don't take it the wrong way.

[evil-whimsey.livejournal.com]

PS, If Doumeki actually wears those pants in public, I am amazed that he ever gets anywhere.

[pandoraculpa.livejournal.com]

Honestly, I had such a good time with this. And I am SO BEYOND STOKED that you dig it so much. That is the best reward of all, that it has made you happy. It's all I really wanted to accomplish with the picture, anyway. Anything else was incidental.

The lighting was a lot of fun to play with in this pic. I'd actually wanted to try something more chiaroscuro, but I have a hard time committing to shadows. I should take more risks.

And oh crap- just remembered that I need to send you an early .psd version, so you can tinker with the line elements. Crap- I'll try and get that out to you in the morning. I swear, my brain, it is a sieve...

Also, I oughta take this momentum and run with it, complete the other pic I've got in the works for you. That's been a long time brewing, and you could use the squee. Maybe I can play with it tomorrow... hmm. *plots*

*squishes* So glad you liked the picture. It meant a lot to me, to be able to draw for you. :D

[psiten]

It turned out wonderfully!

[pandoraculpa.livejournal.com]

Thank you! And thanks yet again for the assistance. It meant a lot to me to receive the offer- and it certainly helped get this illustration completed. :D