Art: At Summer's End (PG)

[pink_mint]

Title: At Summer's End
Characters: Harry/Draco
Rating: PG
Created with: Painter X
Notes: This was inspired by and drawn for harrylovesdraco's Challenge #8 - the dog days of summer. Thank you to marguerite_26 for being my absolutely marvelous second pair of eyes. So much love for you, darling. Also, a special shout-out to mystressxoxo: Happy Birthday, hon!! :D Additional notes below.

Additional notes: This painting posed two entirely new challenges for me: this is the first painting I've done with two characters in it, and it's also the first painting I've done that had characters with a completed background behind them. Let me tell you, I have a whole new level of respect for artists who draw 2+ characters all the time. It's difficult to do for a large number of reasons, one of them being proportion.

I nearly binned it in the beginning due to a very rough start from bad judgements on my part, but I loved the idea and knew that I had to follow this through and make it work.

marguerite_26 is a total gem. She helped me so much with this and also emphasized to me the symbology of the sunset in the background complimenting the sunset of their relationship. Trust me when I say that this wouldn't be nearly as good if it weren't for her. She even helped with the title. :) An absolute angel, that one. Thank you, sweetheart!!

To my f-list: as you can see, those were Draco's lips! :D I loved hearing what everyone guessed, so thanks very much to those who made one!! (For those not on my f-list, I've started a new thing where I post exclusives, which is basically WIPs, previews, and things of that nature. If you'd like to see those, just friend me and I'll friend you back!)

Finally, as to what's going on between Harry and Draco in this, I'm leaving that up for your interpretation.

I hope you enjoy this! I'm so excited to hear any thoughts you have about it. :D

ETA: As of March 30, 2010, this has won an award!

Comments

[potteresque_ire]

Oh Wow. *Stared*. Draco looks exquisite. The sunset, the tears are beautiful, works brilliantly together and at the same time, offers a very good contrast, the flames vs the quiet sadness... *Sigh*.. I wonder what's the occasion? Are they breaking up when you say the sunset of their relationship? *sobs*

Maggie is absolute ♥, indeed!! :)

[pink-mint.livejournal.com]

Thank you!! I'm so delighted you like Draco. I do like him with that damp and slightly curly hair. And I hadn't decided on the occasion myself, but I had a few scenarios in mind, all terribly sad and ending unhappily for the poor things (except for the one where they make up! ;) ).

[mystressxoxo.livejournal.com]

It was Draco!!

And this is GORGEOUS!!! Holy Christmas!! This is just breathtaking, love! OMG... I'm just at a loss for words... again! Brilliant... absolutely brilliant!

Thank you for the birthday shout-out. *glomps you* You are too sweet! Being able to see this is present enough for me! =^;^=

[pink-mint.livejournal.com]

Yep, and you guessed it! :D

Oh wow, thank you so much! I'm very glad you like this, darling. It makes it all especially worthwhile!

And you're very welcome for the birthday shout-out. *glomps back* I hope you've had the best day!

[dysonrules.livejournal.com]

Ohhh, so pretty! Draco looks like Venus. Very nice. Of course they are only crying because they have sand in their eyes. Once they go have a nice shower and a shag or two they'll be fine.

*glares at any attempt to suggest otherwise*

[pink-mint.livejournal.com]

Ahh! I do se that - Draco does remind me of Venus. How lovely, thank you!

And you're quite right, it's the sand that's bothering them. They got a bit too rough when playing around the beach...where's their wands when they need a good cleaning spell?

[cinnatart.livejournal.com]

holy background detail. the water and the sky both, I love them.

Eyes. Oh my GOD the eyes. They just... I'm like, drowning in emotion here and I love it.

Also, the hair. I love the hair, on both of them.

I adore you, I truly do.

[pink-mint.livejournal.com]

holy background detail.

So, so pleased you like the background. *is burnt out*

I'm a bit partial to the eyes, too. And I'm glad you like their hair!! I'm so in love with the idea of a slightly wet and wavy haired Draco. :)

Thank you so much, love! ♥

[oohyaoi.livejournal.com]

first of all, the detail in their hair (especially Draco's) is just insanely well done. I sat there staring at each strand of Draco's head forever.

This painting makes me feel so many conflicting emotions! The background is absolutely beautiful, but then I really take in their expressions and I feel so heartbroken. At first I thought it was just Harry that was upset, but Draco's just as torn up, but in his own silent way.

Absolutely lovely. Wonderful job.

[pink-mint.livejournal.com]

It's wonderful to me that you appreciate their hair and especially the detail in Draco's - his hair was tricky to get right!

I'm pleased you feel conflicted over this because in my head it was a beautiful moment in it's terribly sad way, and I tried to show it as such.

Thank you so much! ♥

[jtsbbsps-dk.livejournal.com]

I second this version! XD

[alaana-fair.livejournal.com]

Oh, this is beautiful, hon! The tears are heartbreaking. You made me cry, dammit! I'm imagining the tears are because their holiday together is over and they have to go back to the respective wives lives, but I have to believe they'll be back together again. It may take months... maybe years, but they will meet again on that beautiful beach at sunrise one day, and it will be a new beginning. *sniffles*

[pink-mint.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much, darling! I can't believe this made you cry; that's just unbelievably touching and sweet, thank you. And your explanation for it made my heart ache badly, so thank you for giving me that, too! *sniffles with you*

[neko-taka.livejournal.com]

LOVE! So sad though...I don't want them to be sad! There's too much sadness in this world already >.

[pink-mint.livejournal.com]

Thank you, hon! ♥

[fireflavored.livejournal.com]

I got it right! I got it right!

*takes entirely too much pleasure in getting correct answers*

Now this crying business. Clearly they are in Waikiki, and they have gone to the Sunset on the Beach movie. Since they are both suckers for a good RomCom, they have been overwhelmed by the ending of Love, Actually and cannot hold it in. They just need to head up the beach to the Royal Hawaiian for a couple of Lava Flows and they'll be right as rain.

*nods*

[pink-mint.livejournal.com]

:D Yes, you guessed it!

they have been overwhelmed by the ending of Love, Actually and cannot hold it in.

Hahahaha!! Thanks for that scenario, darling. Oh goodness, that's some brilliant fluff there.

*gives you the sexy icon*

[serendipity-008.livejournal.com]

OMG so beautiful!
I love the background with the water, the sky and the sunset and how the light is reflected on their skin. I love the way you do their hair. It's so detailed you just want to run your hand through them.
Their expressions and eyes are so sad. I am just going to assume that they are sad about parting with eachother for a short amount of time because they would miss each other terribly. Can't handle too much angst when it comes to these two :D

[pink-mint.livejournal.com]

Thank you, sweetheart! I'm so pleased you like the background and the way I do their hair. And oh I know, I nearly die every time I read a fic where it doesn't end well for them...but at the same time, I do love it. :)

[jamie2109.livejournal.com]

This is just gorgeous - the colouring, the intensity of the emotion you somehow manage to infuse your artwork with, it's just beautifully evocative.

And of course, after their last shag on the beach of their summer holiday, Draco is upset thinking Harry's going to go back to hating him now that their summer 'fling' is over. And Harry's all 'how cold you possibly think I would ever leave you?'

[pink-mint.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Goodness, I appreciate you saying that so much.

And Harry's all 'how cold you possibly think I would ever leave you?'

Oh, yes! Mmm, I love that scenario, of course. And they simply have to make love again, after Harry says a beautiful line like that.

[jtsbbsps-dk.livejournal.com]

O_O

WOW!

Firstly, yay! I guessed right! *dances*

Secondly, damn - extremely beautiful painting! *swoons* And so very, very sad! And you drew a person crying - I can only imagine how hard that would be!
I can almost - no, I CAN feel my heart aching a little for them!

♥

Amazingly beautiful job, hon'!

[pink-mint.livejournal.com]

:D That's right, you guessed it!!

Thank you so much! The crying was difficult to draw, definitely. It's so pleasing to hear that this can make your heart ache (though I feel bad for your poor heart!).

♥

[lijahlover.livejournal.com]

This is wonderful work and I'm optimistic things will work out between these two with whatever is happening!

[pink-mint.livejournal.com]

It's awesome to be optimistic, and I have to say I'm a bit optimistic, too. :D Thank you!

[melusinahp.livejournal.com]

Oh... Beautiful and sad. Draco's tears. It's amazing how you made them shine and look so wet. And the light of the sunset behind them, wow.

Really beautiful. xxxx

[pink-mint.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad you like Draco's tears. It's hard to draw water - both in tear and ocean form! Mmmm, I was planning on doing a sunset in a different painting, but I ended up doing it in this one and it added such dimension. Very pleased you enjoyed it!

Thank you! ♥

[fancypantsdylan.livejournal.com]

This is so totally awesomely beautiful, the colours are wonderful, I love the feel of the ending of something, whether its their relationship, or that of a lovely holiday or even the end of the day, its just moved them both for some reasons. The muted colours are just right and the sun setting in the background just finishes the scene of beautifully

[pink-mint.livejournal.com]

What a wonderful comment, thank you so much! I really like the idea of them being moved over something like the end of the day. How sweet, the darlings. :) I'm so glad you've enjoyed this!

[jejo763]

I absolutely love the background. I just can't stop staring it. So beautiful. Also, the tears, the eyes and Harry's lips (I don't even have to mention Draco's lips, do I ?). They are so wonderful and realistic. Wow!

[pink-mint.livejournal.com]

I'm delighted you really like the background. The sky was just fun to do, and I must admit to having a bit of a soft spot for Draco's lips. Thank you!!

[treacle-tartlet.livejournal.com]

*is mesmerised* Oh, that's so pretty. Draco's mouth is perfectly captivating, and your attention to detail makes me want to stare and stare and stare...oh, bugger, the soup's boiling over! Must dash! XXX

[pink-mint.livejournal.com]

Ohh, hope your soup didn't boil over too bad! :) Thank you so much, hon.

[camillily.livejournal.com]

Wow... I can make up a thousand stories just by looking at this piece of art. It's beautiful ♥ Thank you so much for sharing this with us :)

[pink-mint.livejournal.com]

Oh, thank you!! I'm so delighted you enjoyed this and that it inspires many different stories. :) What a wonderful thing to hear. ♥

[stellamoon.livejournal.com]

That's positively beautiful! Maggie's right about the sunset. It certainly sets the mood for the whole piece.

One thing I find particularly lovely about this is the way the light from the sunset catches on their necks and shoulders. It's very beautiful and important to make the whole piece work. Also, that tear pooling in Draco's eye is a very nice touch.

Those aren't the only things that are good about it, though. Oh no! The whole thing is very well drawn and painted, as I'm sure you know. It's just, those things really stand out for me.

Fabulous job, dear! Thanks for sharing it with us!
♥♥♥

[pink-mint.livejournal.com]

What a wonderful comment from you, sweetheart! I almost didn't have the sunset; my original plan was to make an overexposed sunlit background, but then I added it just to see and it really made this come together.

I'm very pleased you like the lighting and think Draco's unshead tear was a nice touch.

Thank you so much, darling!! ♥

[brknhalo241.livejournal.com]

I tried to comment last night but laptop said otherwise so this morning I'm dashing in to say that I absolutely love this and I think these two let themselves get lost in the illusions that summers always bring ... that the heat and technicolor brilliance will never end. But it always does. I just hope these two find their way back to each other again. Winter romances can be hot too!! Thank you so much for sharing this ... just gorgeous!

[pink-mint.livejournal.com]

Ohhh, you're just the sweetest thing, popping back in to leave me the most wonderful, dreamy comment! I love your gorgeous description of their summer love and how they got wrapped up in the atmosphere, and I completely agree - winter romances are just as nice. Thank you so much!! ♥

[marguerite-26.livejournal.com]

OH!! the finishing touches of the hair are fabulous. Excellent job!

And well the background is LOVE. and the TEARS!!! They are PERFECT. My reaction to this art totally changed with the slightest changes you made. I now this it's Harry breaking Draco's heart. There is such an 'I'm sorry' look to Harry.

It takes my breath away. I seriously have been tearing up over it. and god, you'd like I'd be desensitized by now, right? but this final version just kills me. *meep*

It was an honour to work with you on this. Your attention to detail is an absolute inspiration. Wonderful work, babe. You should be very proud of this.

[pink-mint.livejournal.com]

So glad you like the finishing touches, and goodness, that you think the tears are perfect!! Major yay there! And I'm still so delighted I converted you to my original opinion. :D

I seriously have been tearing up over it.

!!! Ohhhh, just no way, love - that means so much to me. I can't believe it. *cuddles* And YES, I would think you'd be desensitized to it (God knows I am! lol).

Thank you for everything! ♥

[nursedarry.livejournal.com]

Beautiful and heartbreaking!! (And I was right about the lips:)

[pink-mint.livejournal.com]

Yes, you were! :) Thank you, my darling!!

[softly-sweetly.livejournal.com]

Wow, this is incredible *heartbreaks*

I've been very bad, and been randomly perving your art without making myself known. Do you mind if I friend?

[pink-mint.livejournal.com]

Oh, thank you! *hugs*

Hahaha!! I'm very pleased you did friend. :D

[bryoneybrynn.livejournal.com]

You are killing me with your talent. How can you just come out of nowhere and just be SO FRICKING AWESOME!

And I completely agree with marguerite's take - Harry's breaking Draco's heart. It just works and hurts so good! Although I can totally see the opposite with Draco leaving and Harry being all "why?" and Draco crying but staying silent because it's how it has to be. Ooooo, I think maybe I like that one even MORE! *is an angst whore*

Dear god their mouths - you know I fell off the couch from their mouths, right? And their expressions and their glowing skin and their hair and even their EYEBROWS are amazing. You are so talented!

I also love the background. My family has lake front property so the view of sunset over water is one I see often and oh, this is perfect! I especially love the steeliness of the water, and how perfectly you nailed the clouds and the colour of the sky in that early evening transitional time. Not only did you perfectly capture how it actually looks but it's wonderfully symbolic, even beyond the setting sun theme.

Gorgeous work babe. :)

butting in. :D

[marguerite-26.livejournal.com]

Although I can totally see the opposite with Draco leaving and Harry being all "why?" and Draco crying but staying silent because it's how it has to be.

You know, that was my initial reaction before the tears were added. I was thinking: Draco has just told Harry his parents have arranged a marriage for him and he has accepted and Harry is crushed and Draco is all 'I'm doing what I have to do' and has his Malfoy!mask on.
But then when Draco's tear slipped down the scenario COMPLETELY changed in my head.

Anyway, just had to share that because I think the art is AMAZING in the way the tiniest details says so much. *joins you in pink_mint worshipping*

[forest-rose.livejournal.com]

Omg, this is utterly stunning. I hope you don't mind me commenting, I'm here from a rec on my friends-of-friends page! I just can't get over their expressions and their eyes and those tears, oh boys.

It'll all be okay in the end, though, right? Right? *pleading eyes*

[pink-mint.livejournal.com]

Thank you!! I'm so glad you found this and gave me such a nice comment.

I know, the poor darlings. *hands them tissues* It's brilliant to hear you think their expressions are good and that you like their eyes.

And I have to dream it works out for them in the end. :)