Glow/Flicker -- Art for RBB 2018

[brightly_lit]

I've found it really hard to write fic for a long time now (or to write anything). I also paint, though not nearly as much as I write, or wrote. Well, rather I should say, I painted a lot and had lessons and everything when I was young, and I continued to paint through my twenties, and for some reason, all the art supplies I was ever given and most of the teaching I received was all about watercolor.

Don't get me wrong--I love watercolor, but there came a time in my twenties when I became dissatisfied with what I could do with it, especially in terms of intensity of color. I tried oils, and didn't like 'em, so I more or less gave up painting entirely ... until four years ago, when one of the people I was seeing about my health problems insisted I should start painting again, that he thought it would be really good for me. Something I'd come across around the same time made me think of trying out acrylics. I found a cheap little starter set at the art-supply store, so I tried them--and loved them. Talk about intensity of color--you get all you want. And it has none of the annoying qualities of oils.

All to say, I've done a fair bit of painting over the last four years. I've always seen RBB from afar and longed to be one of the cool kids who participate, but the one time I participated as a writer was not a good experience; it just didn't seem to be for me. Then this year, on a whim, I decided to gather up my courage and participate as an artist! ... but not until the day before artist sign-ups closed! So I quickly painted this Cas and got myself in there! (Now that I know how it works, I see that I have all year to do my pieces for next time! :-D) Here it is, full size:






As for the metallic aspect (the gold, and the metallic purple in his wings), that was actually inspired by a painter I knew as a child, a friend of my mom's. I don't think she ever got any recognition for her work whatsoever, which is a terrible shame, because it was amazing--it seemed like sort of a combination of Southwestern American and Madhubani styles (probably not deliberately; I think it was just her being herself), with lots of hot pink, and also plenty of gold paint.

My grandmother was also an artist (with far more recognition, though not famous or anything--it was she whence came all these art supplies as a child--I still have some of that stuff! Really high-quality paints and watercolor paper, which--as they advertise--really apparently never degrade!), and all my training was very traditional. Metallics wouldn't have even been considered in the traditions I was taught in, so once I started painting again, and saw that acrylic paints had a plethora of metallics and cool stuff like that, of course I wanted to incorporate it in some of my work, with my usual 'screw you' to the conventional. And, of course, something glittery and outside-of-the-norm is perfect for dear Cas.

Anyway, one thing that had never occurred to me about the artist side of RBB is that it's kind of like ... being picked for sports teams, you know? All respect to the amazing mods, and I can't think of a better way they could do it (and of course they usually participate as artists, so they're subject to the same ego blows potentially), but the way it's set up, it's not just possible but kind of likely that you won't be your writer's first choice, and though you tell yourself it shouldn't matter, the reality is it's hard to get past. Therefore I was really lucky with my author, when after this piece wasn't getting picked, and wasn't getting picked, she jumped in as soon as they opened it up to everyone (not just people who'd signed up as authors) and grabbed it, telling me she felt lucky to get it, since she forgot to sign up this year and really wanted it. Maybe she was just being nice, but anyway, it made me feel all better--thank you, verucasalt123!! She's been an absolute delight to work with, and I love the sweet, sexy) story. <3 <3 I hope you all do, too!

And then I made a little flickering gif (with the excellent and ever-helpful septembers_coda's assistance) for the banner (I loved the title verucasalt123 chose for her fic, and the way it goes with the title for my art :-) ). I've got no idea why the gif is so small when the photo isn't, but I like how it turned out. Thanks, s_c!

Phew, my first RBB/experience doing fanart under my belt! I'm glad I finally found the courage to try it. I hope you like the art, and go check out the fic!

Comments

[beelikej]

I love how dynamic the wings are, this is a lovely piece! Welcome to the artist side of the ReverseBang! I'm very happy you joined in and you got to play with acrylics and colours:)
Thanks for sharing that big version of your painting, it's great to see the brushstrokes up close, seriously cool \o/

[brightly_lit]

Thank you so much for the comment, and the welcome--and being such an awesome mod! Every participant always secretly hopes for commentary on one's work from the mods as one turns it in (and afterward, like now, too!)--and you actually did it! It's very much appreciated, especially by someone like me who was a first-timer and a bit nervous. I'm really glad I joined in, too!

[caranfindel]

I never use my DW account, but I had to come tell you how much I love this. Particularly Cas’s eyes and mouth, which are not photorealistic, obviously, but are somehow SO PERFECT. I also love the color and texture of the feathers. Beautiful work!

[brightly_lit]

It means so much to me that you did come all the way over here to comment!! <3 <3 I'm delighted you find his mouth and eyes perfect--I was pleased with how 'Cas' they seemed, too, despite as you say not being photorealistic.

Good seeing you here. <3 <3 <3

[cuddyclothes]

It's beautiful! I love the colors.

[brightly_lit]

Aw, thanks! I've been looking for an opportunity to use that metallic purple. :->

[red_b_rackham]

Ahhh this is FAB!! I love that you chose to do a painting, and the way this turned out. Amazing work!! \o/

[brightly_lit]

All you guys are so sweet! I really didn't expect any comments on this at all. You warm my heart. <3 I really appreciate it.