The 2011 Good Omens Holiday Exchange is now open!

[goe-mod.livejournal.com]

Title: Gryning
Artist: soapylikebear
Recipient: irisbleufic
Rating: G
Artist's notes: I figure this steers pretty clear of stereotypical 'angel and demon, halo and pitchfork' roles since I am not particularly a fan of those either? Also, if I am allowed to link to music I would like to, since it plays a rather integral role in the art-making process for me: link. I hope you enjoy!

Comments

[miscellanny.livejournal.com]

This is thoroughly wonderful! I love the background, the details - elbow patches! Duck thermos! The furry lining on Aziraphale's coat! - and the gentle contentment to their poses. Really lovely, thank you!

[secret-kracken.livejournal.com]

I've been known to go overboard on details, so I'm happy to read that you like so many of them, aha. Thanks for your comment!

[evilmissbecky.livejournal.com]

The colors are simply goreous in this piece. I particularly love the sky. One moment I see it as stars and the next I see it as a winter snowfall...and I love that.

[secret-kracken.livejournal.com]

My original intent was stars, aha. But I'm really glad that it can be ambiguous like that. Thanks a bunch!

[mybrokenlocket.livejournal.com]

This is gorgeous! The colors are so vibrant, and your style is so unique. I love the way you've imagined the characters.

[secret-kracken.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I appreciate your comment.

[conjure-lass.livejournal.com]

I CAN'T STOP LAUGHING AT AZIRAPHALE'S TROUSERS.

What a way to start the exchange! *giggles*

[secret-kracken.livejournal.com]

Aha, they are pretty hideous, aren't they?

Thanks!

[dementedsiren.livejournal.com]

I think the perfect way to describe my reaction to this is:
1) I wanted to give Aziraphale a giant hug
2) I wanted to sit at a sidewalk cafe and snark at the passers-by with Crowley (also, I desperately want Crowley's jacket!)

This piece is fantastic!!!!

[secret-kracken.livejournal.com]

Oh, I'd love to do the same with them. Crowley's jacket was an excuse to do that pattern, because that's one of my favorite patterns to do. Thank you!

[secret-kracken.livejournal.com]

I have a similar pair that I found at a thrift store (that came with a matching waistcoat) that are mostly yellow but instead of orange and blue, there's more brown and olive green. I just wanted to keep the same color scheme as his hair and eyes.

Your comment about the background being 'not realistic but not lazy either' (I know those leaves don't make any sense) made me smile so much, so many, many thanks!

[lady-aileas.livejournal.com]

This is so awesome!!!

The overall composition is wonderfully balanced, and the details make me want to zoom in and stare at every last inch until I go blind. I'd list all of the individual details I love, but there are too many! Your marker skills are serious business.

The contrast of those line weights are pretty fabulous too. It's really obvious that put TONS of time into this and it sooooo pays off.

Absolutely gorgeous!

[secret-kracken.livejournal.com]

Ahh oh thanks so much! I've had trouble with composition and overdoing it on details and thick lines, so I'm really happy to read that it pays off. Thank you so much for your lovely words!

[irisbleufic.livejournal.com]

I love Crowley's coat. Thank you for the lovely gift <3

[secret-kracken.livejournal.com]

It was going to be all black, but my love for making that quasi-scale pattern took over in the end.

And thank you, it makes me quite, quite happy (and relieved) to know that you like it.

[waxbean.livejournal.com]

I love everything about this! It's the perfect open to the exchange, Dcember, and the holidays, generally!

[secret-kracken.livejournal.com]

I was surprised when I saw it was the first thing posted- I wasn't expecting that, aha. But thank you!

[quantumlobster.livejournal.com]

I adore Crowley's coat, and Aziraphale's pants are the best!

[secret-kracken.livejournal.com]

I figure I had to sneak scales and tartan in there somewhere. Thank you!

[quantum-witch.livejournal.com]

Duckie thermos! Atrocious (appropriate) fashion choices! And... ginger Aziraphale? Cool.

[secret-kracken.livejournal.com]

In my head Aziraphale is full ginger but I thought I might tone it down a bit for this, just in case, since it is intended to be more of a gift than something I do for myself at my own leisure. But thank you very much!

[rroselavy.livejournal.com]

*___*

Staring at it while listening to the track ...

This is truly beautiful! I love the colors and the patterns, the patterns are pure win.

AND CROWLEY'S SIDEBURNS! \o/

[secret-kracken.livejournal.com]

Oh cool, thanks for listening as well! And yeah, I love giving Crowley some prominent 'burns, aha. Thanks again!

[jane_potter]

What a way to start the exchange! This is fantastic. I can't imagine the amount of work you put into it. And the music really makes the piece-- perfect fit to the mood of the art.

[secret-kracken.livejournal.com]

Thank you as well for listening- and thinking that it is fitting (sometimes music inspires me in weird ways, aha).

[interrobam.livejournal.com]

Your art style is amazing, it looks like stained glass, which is so GO appropriate. And I echo everyone else's love for Crowley's coat.

[secret-kracken.livejournal.com]

Oh, thank you! I don't think I've ever had it compared to stained glass before, which is really cool. Thanks again!

[ladymouse2.livejournal.com]

I love the pensive quiet you give them, under a frosty night sky with a background of fir woods and falling leaves, sharing a hot cup (yes, from a duck thermos, so VERY Aziraphale. It's so apt for the kind of elliptical narrative and keenly observed quiet moments in Irisbleu's fiction.

A very nice way to kick off the festivities. I also applaud the amount of attention and care you gave this piece, full of detail and texture.

[secret-kracken.livejournal.com]

Getting that 'pensive quiet' in their expressions was admittedly the hardest part of this, but after I got what I wanted in the sketch (and was able to ink them without making a mess of everything), I knew everything else was going to be cake compared to it. So really, thank you for noticing/mentioning that.

[aviss.livejournal.com]

This is gorgerous, I love the colours and their expressions, and how peaceful it all feels. Great job, secret artist!

[secret-kracken.livejournal.com]

I'm really glad that a sense of peace comes through, thank you!

[argyleheir.livejournal.com]

So lovely and vibrant! Wonderful details too.

[secret-kracken.livejournal.com]

Thank you very much!

[sticktothestory.livejournal.com]

This is so uniquely done! I love the scales pattern on Crowley's coat, Aziraphale's thermos, and his scarf and gloves.

[secret-kracken.livejournal.com]

Surprisingly, I don't think I've ever stumbled upon a duck thermos while out. But if I ever see one, I'll have to acquire it. Thank you!

[madlytae.livejournal.com]

I am so happy! This is marvelous. Just the details and the way they are together and the clothing and I will just squee over that thermos.

[secret-kracken.livejournal.com]

Aww, glad to make you happy! Thanks!

[sirius-luva.livejournal.com]

Ooh, I want Crowley's coat, Aziraphale's trousers and scarf, and the duck thermos. XD I also love their eyes, and the background is gorgeous!

Also, I lovelovelove the colours. ♥

[secret-kracken.livejournal.com]

Oh, I have tend to have trouble drawing eyes, and sometimes I get frustrated, so reading that you like them really makes me feel so happy. Thank you!

[shinobi-mi-chan.livejournal.com]

SO gorgeous, oh my goodness. Your art is glorious, it really is, and the fact that these incarnations are actually very close to how I see the characters in my head doesn't hurt. The styling of each of their outfits is very fitting, I must say. Basically this is just wonderful and I love it! c:

[secret-kracken.livejournal.com]

Oh gosh, thank you! And it makes me grin that this is close to how you see them in your head, but at the same time it's also so cool how many different interpretations there are across all the art in the fandom. Anyway, thanks again!

[hsavinien.livejournal.com]

Oh, fun with patterns. ^_^

[secret-kracken.livejournal.com]

Oh, patterns are my favorite. There seems to be something soothing for me in the near-tedium of drawing them all out. Thank you!

[munanna.livejournal.com]

This is beautiful! I love the bright colors and all the details! Wonderful work! :D

[secret-kracken.livejournal.com]

I'll admit I had to adjust the saturation a bit after it being washed out slightly from my scanner. But thank you!

[edna-blackadder.livejournal.com]

Oh, this is just beautiful, and your attention to detail in particular is astounding!

[secret-kracken.livejournal.com]

Ah, thanks so much!

[vulgarweed.livejournal.com]

I just love this piece. It's so striking and unusual, in such a distinctive style, and your use of color and pattern is totally trippy in the best possible way!

[secret-kracken.livejournal.com]

I get insanely happy and cheshire-grinned when people say my art is trippy, so thank you very, very much!