Art: Spare the Rod (R)

[pink_mint]

Title: Spare the Rod
Characters: Harry
Rating: R
Warning: blood, bruises, come
Created with: Painter X
Notes: This is This is fanart for calanthe_fics's Spare the Rod, part three in the Mudhoney trilogy. Additional notes and an excerpt from Spare the Rod are below.
Additional notes: First, I have to say that I had residual inspiration from calanthe_fic's trilogy that needed to come out, and this is the result! Plus, how could I not draw her Harry after doing Draco?

I wanted the two paintings to compliment each other in look and in intensity of emotion, and at first I had a tough time picking one emotion of Harry’s to show. The one of Draco was really obvious to me, but this one I had to think about. Then I remembered the Exanimus scene, which is nearly my favorite – it gives me chills.

Do correct me if I’m mistaken, Cal: in the picture of Draco, it was the moment that his fantasy and desire for Harry finally manifested. And in this picture of Harry, it’s the definitive scene for him personally. He realizes he wants to live.

Admittedly, I took some artistic liberties with this one. Cal, please forgive me if he’s a bit more bruised and bloodied than you wrote him. I also realize that these bruises are probably a lot further along than they realistically could be, given the time frame. ;)

Please let me know what you think. Once again, I'm a bundle of nerves!

A happy birthday to darling Harry Potter! So sorry I made you look terrible on your special day. ;)

Lastly, my companion piece to this, featuring Draco.

Excerpt:

“Finite Incantatem,” he annunciates, his low voice carrying clearly across the space between us.

My lungs spasm painfully and I hear myself drag in a ragged, bubbling breath that’s deep enough to curve my spine up off the table. I choke out the remaining jism from the back of my throat with unfettered relief. After that first breath in, the one that makes black blobs dance across my vision, I flop back onto the table and pant, drawing a shaking hand up to scrub at my face, wincing as the raw pain of an overstretched muscle in my shoulder protests.

Thank fuck! I’m alive! I experience a blinding moment of euphoria as my survival moves from fantasy to fact before my body starts to palsy and shake in shock. I put both hands over my face and try to breathe even though it’s hard. I’m alive.

I turn my head eventually, moving it painfully slowly to stop my focus blurring and breaking up.

He must have moved the moment I turned my head.

All I see is the flutter of a grey-trimmed black cloak disappearing round the doorframe and out of sight.

I lie there and watch the empty space for minutes, curling my toes and then flexing my limbs, testing to see what works and what hurts.

When I finally get up to dress, a changed person from the one who lay down, I consider life and death. I consider love and hate. I consider how fine the line between extremes can be.

I look down at the crumpled form of my Stupefied attacker and consider kicking him until his ribs break and his stomach is black with bruises. But I don’t do it. He’s broken enough without my interference, so I merely turn and walk away.

- from Spare the Rod by calanthe_fics

Comments

[nursedarry.livejournal.com]

*gasp* You what? You were thinking of ME at some point in which you painted this masterpiece???? *iz dead again*

It's bloody (literally) fantastic! As you can see, blood and *cough* come *cough* are more kinks than squicks to me, so I could look at this all day.

You've completely made my day knowing that I had some part to play in the creation of such a fabulous piece of art.

*Opens medical bag* Hmmm...Where to start? (probably not there, Darry!)

[calanthe-fics.livejournal.com]

Naughty naughty, telling the end!!!!

[piratesmile331.livejournal.com]

She'll never read it otherwise. And everyone should read it, because it's one of the best things ever written in this fandom.

[calanthe-fics.livejournal.com]

*hugs your lovely comment*

I think I can love the fics because I haven't tried to read them in a long time. If I read them I'd be cringing in shame because I'm a better writer than I was when I posted them, and I'd want to fiddle with the words, and cut bits and add other bits.

Maybe I should do a directors cut....

[mtranc3.livejournal.com]

I was just over at calanthe_fics's LJ gushing about your picture. I'm so impressed and awed of your artistic ability! If the picture looked any more real it'd be an actual photograph. Especially his eyelids/circles under his eyes. Oh, and the blood! How do you do that??! *___* All I can say is BRAVO, you did a terrific job!!! :):):)

[stupid-drawings.livejournal.com]

Well damn. I never thought I'd like images of people battered, but these prove me wrong.

[naadi.livejournal.com]

Cal's stories are so emotionally powerful. You did a brilliant job of portraying the pain in that scene. Very beautifully drawn - your lights and darks are just gorgeous.

[pink-mint.livejournal.com]

Although I love how it's written and don't think it needs to be changed at all, I think it would be interesting to read a director's cut! And I think I'd like to read a director's commentary even more... :D

[enchanted-jae.livejournal.com]

That is gorgeous, yet painful to look at.

Edit: I want to rephrase this and say: That is painful to look at, yet gorgeous.

*nods*

[pink-mint.livejournal.com]

It makes me so happy that I could capture even a little bit of the pain in that scene. I had to read it twice during painting this because I wanted to make sure I didn't miss any details.

And it is a good pain. Her Harry is so erotic and sensual, how could it not be? :)

That's the biggest compliment you could pay, dearest! Thank you so much for liking this and for your words. *hugs back !! *

[pink-mint.livejournal.com]

:D Ah, you're the first person to mention his scar. I really had fun painting it - I wanted to make it look just a bit gnarled. Thank you!

[pink-mint.livejournal.com]

Thank you!! I appreciate such a nice comment. :)

Yes! Painter X and a Wacom Intuos 3 that's about 5 years old, lol. The two brushes I used were Acrylics - Wet Detail Brush and Blenders - Just Add Water. Please ask anything else you'd like to know. I love answering questions!

[pink-mint.livejournal.com]

You're such a dear, I really admire you for leaving me a comment even though the subject matter isn't your cup of tea! Thank you for the fanatstic compliment. :) Please don't cry! *cuddles you*

About the fic, it does deal with a lot of pain but also hope and finding yourself and rebuilding. Definitely heed the warnings, but you might want to give it a try. ♥

[dysonrules.livejournal.com]

*happily accepts cuddles*

Maybe I'll give it a try after all these fabulous recs. *grin* Your work is really stunning, though. I definitely look forward to stalking you more from you. *hugs**

[pink-mint.livejournal.com]

Christ, your comment has left me just a bit speechless, here! Your reaction is perfect, just how I hoped people would respond. I appreciate all of your kind words so much.

My little trick was to first paint him attractive-looking and then mess him up. ;) I'm glad you think it worked.

Thank you for all of the compliments! ♥

[pink-mint.livejournal.com]

It's awe-inspiring for me to know that when you look at it, you can feel his pain. Thank you!

[pink-mint.livejournal.com]

Wow, thank you so much!

Totally friended you back. :D

[pink-mint.livejournal.com]

Dearest, you are just too sweet to me!!

I'm so pleased that you like my Harry. It means a lot because this was the first time I was able to get him just like he is in my mind. :D

I was thinking sometime next week I'd post a couple of pictures from the WIP stage of this, one of them being Harry before I added the injuries. Do you think that's a good idea? :)

I would definitely be interested in doing crossgen/nextgen art! I don't have any ideas, though, so I just have to wait for a fic that really gets me.

Thank you, thank you, thank you! ♥

[pink-mint.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much!! I'm excited that both pictures seem real and alive to you, that's just brilliant to hear. :D

[pink-mint.livejournal.com]

Oh darling, I'm so sorry to hear that about you. My heart just broke. It means an incredible amount to me that you can still find the beauty in this picture. Thank you so much!! ♥

Just so you know, the excerpt doesn't mention any of the actual violence, just the aftereffects, and also that Harry willingly put himself in that situation.

Thank you again! :) *hugs*

[pink-mint.livejournal.com]

I'm so thankful that I was able to get Harry's emotions right and show his pain, and also that I was able to enhance the scene in the story even a little bit for you.

Thank you for such a wonderful comment, love! ♥

[irenahani.livejournal.com]

You perfectly captured that scene. I read it once and still haunts me to this day. Excellent work in portraying how truly broken Harry was, and his coming realization that he wants to live.

[pink-mint.livejournal.com]

Thank you very kindly! I'm thrilled you feel that way about it. :) !

[pink-mint.livejournal.com]

For this painting to make you wince is just the most fantastic compliment to me. I'm amazed it makes you feel that strongly! Thank you so much! (And what a brilliant art term! I didn't know that word. :D )

[autumn-veela.livejournal.com]

WIPs would be amazing! I'd love a bit of insight into your method.

Are you new to fandom altogether, or just to art?