Finally, a new painting is up! This is a very special painting, completed for the sshg_exchange on LJ.

Misstee123's prompt was: "A Snape/Hermione wedding portrait. You decide - neck up, or whole bodies. I prefer simple, clean lines for both the people and/or the clothing."

Some notes about the concept and development:

What was interesting is that she requested a wedding portrait. So I started thinking about the kinds of scenarios I would put Severus and Hermione in. I immediately decided I wanted something that is not quite traditional. I wanted Hermione to be portrayed as the more emotional of the two, but also the one who draws in the viewer. She would be more receptive, more open.

I also envisioned a scenario where perhaps Severus and Hermione were not entirely comfortable with each other, but I wanted that aspect to be really kind of teetering on the edge of comfort or discomfort. It would be comfortable in some ways, and probably complicated in other ways.

If this was taken by a wedding photographer, Severus would avoid the camera. He would not portray an authentic self to the cameraman. Therefore, in capturing a candid, "real" moment, Severus had to be facing away the camera. To me, he would be someone who has difficulty expressing his emotions. Emotions are a source of vulnerability. He, like his movie-version costume, is constantly reigning himself in. He is a person who had to hide his real self in order to play a Death Eater. He always had to suppress his true motivations. Therefore, he would have difficulty opening himself to love, and difficulty expressing it. He might feel uncomfortable being vulnerable to attraction, whether physical, emotional, or intellectual. Therefore, there was no way Severus would ever reveal his true emotions in front of a camera, which serves as a proxy for *our* perspective into their relationship. It made the most sense for Severus to be looking at Hermione, with whom he can only comfortably reveal his emotions with her facing away from him.

It was a very early decision to use a very strong eyebrow, crinkled in challenge, and slightly parted lips, indicating sensuality. I wanted Hermione to be a sensual person in this painting, indicating that she is physically attracted to Severus, despite her uncertainty about her future with him.

For Severus, I decided he should look sensually and intensely at Hermione, and yet, the set of his mouth should be just a bit harder, to indicate that he too is uncertain about the future. And yet, he looks more committed and less uncertain than Hermione. This is a moment of real emotion for him, and as always, it is always guarded, even in a rare candid shot of him.

For more notes, please email me at foxestacado@gmail.com

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Prints are available for purchase

This painting is available as a limited edition 11x14" or 18x20" print. Prices are the following:

* $20 for 11x14"
* $30 for 18x20"

As always, my prints come on archival and exhibition quality on lustre texture, Fujicolor Crystal Archive paper (professional and exhibition archival quality, with expected display life of 100+ years), signed and numbered.

Please email me or message me if you are interested in purchasing. There are only 7 prints available, and once they are gone, they will likely never be printed again.