red_satin_doll: (Buffy Casablanca Poster v1 poppy wreath)
[personal profile] red_satin_doll
"Third Wheel" (Buffy/Angel, Darla/Angel) is Glassdarkly (aka [livejournal.com profile] shapinglight)'s entry in the 2015 IWRY Marathon, and inspired an art binge.

These banners in turn provided the inspiration for my icon set in [livejournal.com profile] slayerstillness Challenge 57.

This is the second story by [livejournal.com profile] shapinglight I've made posters for; the first being posters for Casablanca, for Round 19 of [livejournal.com profile] seasonal_spuffy.

Teasers: Buffydarlablend2e_656x588RSD.png icon inspired by Third Wheel by Glassdarkly for 2015 IWRY Marathon Buffy_2x21_B1_007lmtw_blend5_298x401_RSD.png

Click to view full-size (except icon #9)

1 - 2) Buffydarlathirdwheelblend7c_705x669RSD.png   Buffy_2x21_B1_007lmtw_buffydarlablend2.2.1P__framed705x669RSD.png
705 x 669 each


3) Buffydarlablend2e_656x588RSD.png
665 x 588

Confession (and warning for Angel-unfriendly thoughts): A year ago I said I "couldn't" do Bangel art. I've already proven myself wrong on that count, but I think it's significant that the primary power dynamic in this story - or at least the most intereting one to me - is not Buffy/Angel, or Darla/Angel but Buffy and Darla. I'm surprised by how few fics I've read draw on the parallels the series made between Buffy and Darla right from the opening scenes of WTTH (but then, I'm not a Bangel shipper so it may well be that there's more out there than I realize.)


If anything, the least interesting aspect of "Third Wheel" is, for me, Angel himself. He's a - well, a bit of a mope, and frankly just a little self-centered. (HIs first response to Buffy's nightmarish dilemma - and it is horrifying for both Buffy and Darla - is violence, then brooding and tears, as if he were the one most affected, not she. But to be fair, he does rally and prove himself to be the better man at the end.) Sometimes I have a hard time understanding why two such interesting, clever, powerful women as Buffy and Darla were drawn to him.


"Third Wheel" actually reminds me that I'm really not sure I ship Buffy with any of her canon lovers; it also adds weight to the argument that Darla, not Buffy, is Angel's "true love".

Without (hopefully) giving too much away, [livejournal.com profile] shapinglight's description of how the situation initially affects Darla reminds me of how it feels when I feel an epileptic seizure coming on, and I love how that specificity of feeling, and the precision of her language and the details, give the weight and substance of "realism" to a fantastical story.

Lobby cards:

4 - 5 )   Buffy_2x21_B1_007lmtw_blend4_300x388_RSD.png             Buffy_2x21_B1_007lmtw_blend5_298x401_RSD.png
                                                388 x 300                                                                        298 x 401


6 - 8 below are what I consider the "alt" versions (which sounds a little nicer than "rejects" doesn't it?)

6) Buffy_darlanangelbecoming_2f_750x550_RSD.png
550 x 750



7 - 8) thirdwheelforglassdarklybecomingframed3a_600x552RSD.png thirdwheelforglassdarklybecomingearshotframed4_600x552RSD.png
      600 x 552 each


9) icon inspired by Third Wheel by Glassdarkly for 2015 IWRY Marathon
And of course, an icon to go with.



Sources:
The background textile in #1, 2 & 7 a detail of an 18th Century bodice in the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute.
Vintage card "frame" in #7 & 8 courtesy of the Graphics Fairy.
Black filigree layer in #4 by [livejournal.com profile] scoobyatemysnax for [livejournal.com profile] burnedbreads
Check out my Resources post for screencap sources.
Regretfully, I've forgotten the original source of the gold frame in #1, 2 & 5.

********************************************

A Vague Disclaimer is No One's Friend:
~ DO NOT RE-POST TO OTHER SITES (INCL. FANPOP) OR LJ COMMUNITIES WITHOUT MY PERMISSION!
~ Take what  icons you like for personal use but please credit if used :)
~ No hotlinking!
~ Comments however are appreciated :)
~ All artwork by yours truly except where otherwise indicated.


Date: 2015-12-16 04:27 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] velvetwhip.livejournal.com
Your art is absolutely splendid! Wow! I am deeply impressed (which is par for the course, darn you for your tediously consistent excellence *tee hee*).


Gabrielle

Date: 2015-12-16 04:39 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] red-satin-doll.livejournal.com
darn you for your tediously consistent excellence



Why thank you ma'am!

BTW, have I mentioned that my sweetie just signed up for a year's subscription to Photoshop? We'll see how long it takes me to figure out how to use it because it's very different any other program I've used so far.

Date: 2015-12-16 04:48 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] velvetwhip.livejournal.com
my sweetie just signed up for a year's subscription to Photoshop?

Yay!!!!


Gabrielle

Date: 2015-12-16 05:17 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] red-satin-doll.livejournal.com
Hopefully "Yay!"

She signed up for it out of the blue and said "learn how to use it" (by which she means "yesterday")

On the really upside, she's also ordered a new camera body to take photos of her artwork and I will inherit the Canon she's using now. I can't wait to see what I can do with it. So this coming year should be pretty interesting artistically for me (I hope!)

Date: 2015-12-17 04:16 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] chasingdemons.livejournal.com
She signed up for it out of the blue and said "learn how to use it" (by which she means "yesterday")

Good luck with that. I've used it for years and I feel like I only know about 25% of it (if that). But your previous work will help you immensely. I can't wait to see what you do with it!

Date: 2015-12-17 04:34 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] red-satin-doll.livejournal.com
I've used it for years and I feel like I only know about 25% of it (if that)

That is incredibly reassuring!

I was playing - I mean, experimenting - with it today, trying to teach myself stuff of follow tutorials and I already feel more comfortable with it than I did with Elements. It's complicated and has TONS of filters but it still makes more sense to me than Elements ever did.

I learned that I have a lot to learn - and that the Spot Healing brush tool is my newest best friend.

Date: 2015-12-17 05:32 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] chasingdemons.livejournal.com
Things to learn about first: Layer masks, clipping masks, adjustment layers. Using softness or hardness of the brush for effect. Using opacity of all layers including adjustment layers for effect. Truly wondrous things can be done with layer masks. The layer blending mode is very key too, although that's a little harder to get comfortable with. Probably my favorite tool is the smudge tool. I use it a lot inside the layer mask. As you get a little more comfortable, gradient maps are amazing!! Overwhelmed yet? I don't use filters a ton, but everyone works differently. Comlodge and I have noted that we each have a very different set of favorite go-to tools. Have fun!

Date: 2015-12-21 07:19 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] red-satin-doll.livejournal.com
Things to learn about first: Layer masks, clipping masks, adjustment layers. Using softness or hardness of the brush for effect. Using opacity of all layers including adjustment layers for effect. Truly wondrous things can be done with layer masks.

Thank you for the tips! I should print this out or at least jot down the tips in my notebook.

I have watched some Lynda.com tutorials and whoa, there is a LOT to learn. And I haven't even watched any tutorials for Lightroom yet, which might sweetie also got to store the photos (because again, Elements organizer was a pain.)

I've watched some tutorials on gradient maps and smudge tool so at least I have some idea what they do. I get itchy watching tutorials, I want to download the information into my brain NOW, thank you very much. (I think I'm not used to tutes because with ipiccy there are no real tutorials so I had to learn by doing. Which has definite drawbacks!)

Date: 2015-12-16 06:11 pm (UTC)
ext_1707915: (Darla Scales)
From: [identity profile] rbfvid.livejournal.com
Oh, it's absolutely amazing story, and you captured it perfectly.
And ditto to what you said about Buffy and Darla, it's a shame that their parallels don't get explored often in fanfiction, when both shows (BtVS and AtS) give writers so many opportunities to do it.
Edited Date: 2015-12-16 06:11 pm (UTC)

Date: 2015-12-17 04:38 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] red-satin-doll.livejournal.com
Thank you so much hon, for your lovely feedback!

And ditto to what you said about Buffy and Darla, it's a shame that their parallels don't get explored often in fanfiction, when both shows (BtVS and AtS) give writers so many opportunities to do it.

*nods* [livejournal.com profile] kikimay and I have had the same conversation about the Buffy-Drusilla parallels in Spuffy fan fiction, although those parallels are a bit more subtle.

Date: 2015-12-16 06:35 pm (UTC)
shapinglight: (third wheel)
From: [personal profile] shapinglight
They're lovely. Banner no 3 is my favourite. I also like 7 and 8, which look rather Christmas card-like and festive.

Date: 2015-12-17 05:16 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] red-satin-doll.livejournal.com
I'm so glad you like them! I think #3 is my favorite as well, to be honest. It was fun experimenting with the frames and textiles but the plain poster is best in this case.

which look rather Christmas card-like and festive.

You should know that this is ALL your fault:

http://ic.pics.livejournal.com/red_satin_doll/51574655/563958/563958_original.png
Edited Date: 2015-12-17 05:16 am (UTC)

Date: 2015-12-18 06:15 pm (UTC)
shapinglight: (Angelus & Darla C18th)
From: [personal profile] shapinglight
Hee!

:Doesn't feel sorry at all:

Date: 2015-12-18 10:37 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] red-satin-doll.livejournal.com
Good! *gigglesnort*

Date: 2015-12-16 07:00 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] rebcake.livejournal.com
I love the artwork, but I am also very impressed with your excellent taste in stories! You've done 3 of this year's favorites of mine, all of which I had the pleasure to beta read. These writers are soooooo good and could not be more deserving of the splendid work you've been inspired to create. I love our creative community and how one good thing leads to another!

Date: 2015-12-17 05:28 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] red-satin-doll.livejournal.com
Of course we share excellent taste in fiction. Great minds and all that jazz....

< i>all of which I had the pleasure to beta read.

Seriously? I had no idea - now I feel kind of stalker-y, but in a good way. (In some small particle of my brain that makes total sense.) You must be very pleased to play Godmother to so many fine stories. Well done!

Thank you for the kind feedback, hon! FYI I went to your profile to check out who made your beautiful Darla & maid icon and noticed that you're using my GG bridge icon as your current default, thank you!

Date: 2015-12-17 06:43 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] rebcake.livejournal.com
I told you I was going to make it my default...did you think I was just trying to be nice? Pfft, like that will ever happen.

But yeah, I am utterly shocked that the stories I get to beta turn out to be my favorites. Heh. It doesn't happen all the time, but between that and requests, it happens more often than not. *\o/*

Date: 2015-12-17 10:56 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] red-satin-doll.livejournal.com
did you think I was just trying to be nice? Pfft, like that will ever happen.

No, I literally forgot you were going to make it your default icon because I have the short term memory of a gnat. Or - something with really lousy short term memory. Mind like a sieve over here.

I am utterly shocked that the stories I get to beta turn out to be my favorites.

That happened this year for me with Gabrielle's Answering Prayers but then again - it's Gabrielle, I shouldn't be shocked. I've certainly beta'd plenty of stories I don't love, so when I do love the fic it's a treat.

And you hang out with some pretty darn talented folks anyway.

Date: 2015-12-17 02:13 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] snogged.livejournal.com
Fantastic work, darling!!

Date: 2015-12-17 03:17 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] red-satin-doll.livejournal.com
Why thank you m'lady!
From: [identity profile] livejournal.livejournal.com
User [livejournal.com profile] rbfvid referenced to your post from The Sunnydale Herald Newsletter, Wednesday, December 16 (http://su-herald.livejournal.com/840777.html) saying: [...] Artwork: Artwork for "Third Wheel" by Glassdarkly (Shapinglight) [...]

Date: 2015-12-17 04:18 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] chasingdemons.livejournal.com
This is beautiful work! I especially love #6. Also loved your comments on the characters.

Date: 2015-12-21 10:16 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] red-satin-doll.livejournal.com
This is beautiful work! I especially love #6. Also loved your comments on the characters.

Thank you dear! I apologize for missing this comment.

Date: 2015-12-17 02:11 pm (UTC)
From: [personal profile] kikimay
Okay, but number 6 is my fave! And also 7 and number 3, mostly because Darla and Buffy are the important figures there. Yeah on more Buffy and the ladies!

Date: 2015-12-17 08:02 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] red-satin-doll.livejournal.com
Those are my three favorites here as well. And of course more ladies - I shall try not to disappoint this coming year! Hopefully I can do more posters because I really love doing them.

Date: 2015-12-19 02:38 am (UTC)
ext_106804: (Default)
From: [identity profile] teragramm.livejournal.com
Very nice! I think I like #3, 7 & 9 best but I do love the coloring on 4. Great job!

Date: 2015-12-21 10:18 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] red-satin-doll.livejournal.com
Great job!

Thank you so much!

I do like the ones you mentioned - and yes, there were plenty of reject versions I didn't post. My favorite is #3, so it's kind of ironic I spent SOOO much time on #1 & 2 and variations thereof. The old KISS (keep it simple stupid) rule, right?

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