SPN Gencest Bang Art Masterpost - If at first you don't succeed

[amberdreams]

As usual, it's a pleasure to take part in a lovely Gen challenge, this time the Gencest Big Bang. My author, Center of the Galaxy, tempted me with their alternative version of Mystery Spot...Story link HERE!



Banner without text


Bonus scene because bro-hugs are and always will be my jam.


Process - feel free to skip this long ramble.

Considering the end results, the process was kind of labour intensive, probably because I procrastinated so much.
I did a bit of research first, thinking about Groundhog day and how images could convey that, and eventually hit on the clock idea after looking at the movie posters. Then I thought about how trapped Sam felt, and boom. Stuck him inside the clock, unable to break out.
Then I played with various ideas for Sam's position, and ended up with this one, using ArtPose ME on my iPad to create a reference.

Then I sketched Sam's face and Sam sitting as a loosener up/practice before starting over on the watercolour paper.
With a photo ref (still doesn't look like him but never mind)

Face done without a ref


I ended up with Sam in splendid isolation, and had every intention of adding the clock in the background on paper - until I didn't. I chickened out and went digital. Which still took ages as I wanted to give the bland white clock a tacky motel feel, so added one texture for that, then didn't like it on a white background so added two more layers of textures (by Sirius) to give that darkness with the golden glow of hope for a happy ending.
For anyone interested, here's the finished Sam watercolour on its own.

Comments

[harrigan.livejournal.com]

OMG — this is one of my favorite artworks ever! Sam's desolation, trapped behind the cracked surface of the stopped clock, is ingenious, haunting, AND a lovely likeliness of Sam too! Thanks for sharing all the brilliant behind-the-scenes craftsmanship!

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

Ah and that comment makes you one of my favourite people ever 😁💕
Thank you!

[quickreaver.livejournal.com]

Ooooh, love it, Amb! You combined ref and watercolors perfectly! And that's no small feat, because the ref's anatomy needed to be smoothed out a little and you killed it. Not to mention, imagining the colors? *chef's kiss* I really enjoy Galaxy's writing too, so I'mma gonna read this today...

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

Yes those Pose things can do things humans can't so you have to be careful using them to draw from LOL!
Sam's not actually nekkid in the story, I just wanted to convey that vulnerability. Thanks me dear!

[ellerkay.livejournal.com]

This is stunning!! I love how you used the Groundhog Day poster for inspiration. The motel room clock is a perfect choice.

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[blindswandive.livejournal.com]

Wow, the desolate isolation is so vivid 😭 and that glint layering worked out gorgeous. The pose is really effective and his expression 😭

Also the muscles are stunning 😅

The bro hug is just getting me so much too, they look so perfectly clinging and desperate and Them.

Fabulous work Amb ❤️

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

I should have said that bro hug reference was from a screen cap where Dean got thrown around and Sam grabs him and pats his head. So I swapped 'em around.

[midnightsilvers.livejournal.com]

Ohhhh, that Sam’s face sketch is just beautiful 🥰🥰 absolutely gorgeous 🤗🤗 I could look at that all day!
And poor naked Sam in the clock is just stunning! I love the musculature you have given him, and the beautiful blending for the skin tones! He is magnificent. The beautiful render and the pose together just carry so much emotion! Gorgeous gorgeous work 🤗💛
And thank you so much for including some behind the scenes too 😄 it really is fascinating to see other people’s processes 🙌🏼🎉😄

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

Thank YOU for such a lovely comment! ❤️

[beelikej.livejournal.com]

Oh wow, Amber, I love this banner; what a great way to capture the concept of being trapped in time. Love Sam's desperate posture (and nakedness, yay!). It's perfectly mixed media with the digital clock background. <3

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I struggled to find an idea for this, so I was really happy when inspiration finally struck!

[anactoria.livejournal.com]

Ooh, these are lovely. I love the vulnerability of the pose in the clock picture — you can really feel his despair. 💜

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

Thank you!! 😘