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

[nolagal.livejournal.com]

ouch, that is so beautiful and full of pain and heartbreak. the colors are magnificent. Fantastic!

[pink-mint.livejournal.com]

Thank you so, so much! Very glad you like the colors, too. :)

[okydoky.livejournal.com]

Oh that's gorgeous! I just love your Draco, he is so pretty and the way you paint Harry's scar - guh! ♥ The sunset looks lovely in the back ground as well. It just looks so peaceful, even the tears. Maybe they both just tripped over the same log on the beach and grazed their knees haha. ♥

[pink-mint.livejournal.com]

Thank you, darling! I'm so pleaed you really like Draco and think he's pretty, and I'm always happy about compliments on Harry's scar. I can sense the peace in this, too, and I'm very glad you mentioned that.

What a cute scenario! Oh, boys, I'll patch up your grazed knees. *g*

♥♥♥

[empress-jae.livejournal.com]

brb...checking my comment from the preview post...

i was right! it was draco's mouth! ;)

this is exquisite! i aww'd and almost shed a tear with them. the colors you used are so calming, and the sunset is hypnotic. draco's distant gaze is really breaking my heart.

wonderful work, sweetie. ♥

[pink-mint.livejournal.com]

Yay, you were right! :D

I'm so happy you like this. Draco's gaze was the main idea that I really loved becasue I think it fits him well.

Thank you so much, sweetheart! ♥

[luredbyvenus.livejournal.com]

Draco lost his wedding ring playing in the surf with Harry. He's very upset about it, and Harry can't stand seeing Draco cry...it always makes him cry as well. Harry promises to have another ring made exactly like the first one, and then he dives under the water and makes Draco feel much better. *cough*

You are so mean making the woobies cry like that. ;)

The sunset, sky and water are fantastic. I love the light on their shoulders and necks, the soft glow on Draco's face, and the way Harry is so focused on Draco. It's beautiful.

[pink-mint.livejournal.com]

Awwww! That's just the sweetest thing. And I'll bet that made Draco feel better... :D

I know, I'm very mean!! The poor darlings, subjected to my abuse.

Thanks so much, you sweet thing you! I'm glad you like Harry's focus on Draco - the thought of it makes me melt a little bit.

[themostepotente.livejournal.com]

Gorgeous ♥ Gorgeous ♥ Gorgeous ♥

[pink-mint.livejournal.com]

Thank you, x 3!!! ♥

[calanthe-fics.livejournal.com]

Ha ha ha, I knew I was right!!!

Beautiful picture, babe.

[piratesmile331.livejournal.com]

You were ABSOLUTELY right.

[piratesmile331.livejournal.com]

This is absolutely gorgeous! The ocean looks REAL, and the sunset is beautiful. Draco's hair is so, so lovely. I join the rest of my friends who have come up with some type of fluffy reason as to why Our Boys are crying...

[pink-mint.livejournal.com]

The ocean was tricky to paint, so I'm delighted to hear it looks realistic! I'm also very glad you like Draco's hair. Thank you so much, hon. :) And there have been many fabulous fluffy excuses for those tears!

[nonajf.livejournal.com]

Beautiful! The eyes and the tears are captivating. I'm afraid in my head the story for this is veering towards epilogue compliance. Two stubborn and proud boys and Harry leaving for Ginny. He'll be sorry!

[pink-mint.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much, sweetie. My gut clenches from your take on what's happening; in my mind, I imagined Harry was leaving for Ginny, too. And you're right, he will be sorry! Stupid, darling boys. ♥

[sesheta-66.livejournal.com]

Stunning! Love, love, love it.

[pink-mint.livejournal.com]

Thank you! :)

here via marguerite_26

[secretsolitaire.livejournal.com]

Oooh, this is absolutely gorgeous.

Re: here via marguerite_26

[pink-mint.livejournal.com]

I'm so pleased you like this, thank you!

[phoenixacid.livejournal.com]

I absolutely love their hair. The texture, the way they look are amazing; they looks like beautiful Greek Gods or something! And the tears in their eyes felt so real! I'm totally a fan of your artworks, hun. *friends you*

[pink-mint.livejournal.com]

Ahhh, Greek Gods! Thank you so, so much sweetheart. I'm thrilled that their tears feel real to you. And I'm so happy you've friended me - as you know, I've friended you back!! :)

[pink-mint.livejournal.com]

Yes, bittersweet, that's just what I wanted to show. Thank you! ♥

[wonkyveela.livejournal.com]

Oh, my God. This is gorgeous.

[pink-mint.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much! :)

[enchanted-jae.livejournal.com]

Utterly gorgeous artwork, but my heart aches to see Harry and Draco so sad.

[pink-mint.livejournal.com]

Thank you! So sorry to make your heart ache, my darling, but I'm pleased to hear that this has impact.

[valkyrie17.livejournal.com]

Very beautiful and sad.

[pink-mint.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much. :)

[silentauror.livejournal.com]

Omg, WOW. I love this! I especially love their eyes, and the water behind them! Beautiful stuff, honey! ♥

[pink-mint.livejournal.com]

:) Ah, I have a hunch from what you include in your fics that you like water (as do I!), so it's wonderful to hear you enjoyed seeing it in this. Thank you so much, sweetheart! ♥

[bexdragonamante.livejournal.com]

Draco is absolutely stunning here. I'm in love all over again.
You've done really well (even with stepping out of your comfort zone), so congratulations!
This is truly beautiful.

[pink-mint.livejournal.com]

I'm in love all over again.

Oh my God, no words could excite me more!! You've made my day with that.

Thank you so much!

[sra-danvers.livejournal.com]

OMG! Wonderful!!!!

Thanks for share!!!

[pink-mint.livejournal.com]

Yay! Thank you so much!! :D

[brissygirl.livejournal.com]

You've done a beautiful job. I love the full pouty lips on both boys and the tears streaming down Draco's face, makes you want to pull him into a bone crushing hug and tell him everything is alright.

Hary looks so heart broken and you did an amazing job of the sunset in the background.

[pink-mint.livejournal.com]

Ohhh, thank you so much. I'm so pleased that you want to comfort Draco! It's wonderful to hear you like their lips and Harry's expression, and the sunset was just absolutely fun to paint. :)

[dark0feenix.livejournal.com]

Oh wow! Utterly gorgeous but heartbreaking art! Love the sunset coloring and the desolate looks on their faces. Someone should remind the boys that after the sunset and even the darkest night there will be a sunrise. ;)

I'm so friending you in order not to miss any of your art in the future. :)

[pink-mint.livejournal.com]

What a wonderful thing to say! Yes, someone really should remind them of that. :)

Thank you so much, darling. I'm so happy you enjoyed this and that you've friended me, and I friended you back, of course! :D

[sugareey.livejournal.com]

I love this! I love how you drew the detail of their hair! It's really realistic! And the tears and the highlights on them...fantastic work!

[pink-mint.livejournal.com]

I'm delighted you think the hair looks realistic and that you appreciate the detail! :D Thank you!

[pink-mint.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[lia-clarissima.livejournal.com]

Wow Pink_Mint, this is absolutely beautiful. I really like your take on "the dog days of summer." It's even more poignant that something so awful could happen at the most lively and exciting time of the year. I love the glowing skin and creeping shadows, and the sheer detail of the ocean. Absolutely brilliant! I can't wait to see more of your art.

[pink-mint.livejournal.com]

It's so wonderful to hear that you like my take on the challenge! And the ocean was one of the more difficult things to do, so I'm delighted you enjoyed the details in it. Thank you so much!! :D

[xanthippe1963.livejournal.com]

This is just so beautiful. Thanks for sharing.

[pink-mint.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much, I'm so pleased you've enjoyed it. :)

[moonlitdark.livejournal.com]

Beautiful emotion!

[pink-mint.livejournal.com]

Thank you, darling!