The Hessian of the Hollow - Art Post

[seleneheart]

When I thought about my claim this year, I wanted something that as a gen case-fic or something in the vein of the first few seasons. No myth arc or angels. I found exactly what I was looking for in jedisapphire’s spooky tale, The Hessian of the Hollow. The art below isn’t spoilery for the fic, but do read the story if you love classic Supernatural.

Thanks as always to wendy for herding this mess, and to uisgich for being a sounding board and cheerleader.

Icon


Title graphics - I knew right away after reading the story that I wanted to put the title on a tombstone. Colonial tombstones were amazing, check the links below.



Main Illustration - the iconic scene where Dean and Sam encounter the Hessian.

Click for full

Quick sketch - my preferred method of reading my claimed Big Bang story is on my iPad with a sketch app open so I can capture my first impressions as I read. This was what later became the main picture.


Tools:
Paper53, Bamboo stylus, Photoshop

Hessians:
http://ushistoryimages.com/hessian-soldiers.shtm

Gravestones:
http://www.panoramio.com/photo/62132889
http://windhamctcemeteries.wordpress.com/cemetery-history-in-connecticut/the-puritan-colonial-years/
http://www.gadling.com/2012/09/03/video-tour-of-historic-new-england-graveyards/
http://www.common-place.org/vol-02/no-02/school/

Horses:
http://www.deviantart.com/art/Horse-Stock-53-162205611

Comments

[jedisapphire.livejournal.com]

Ooooh! This is gorgeous. I'm doing the final check now before I unlock.

[seleneheart]

Thanks, I'm glad you like it!

[harrigan.livejournal.com]

you're right - Colonial tombstones are an awesome choice, and I love the mottled texture (and the wildflowers and the grass).

The headless horseman art is great too. The headlights gleaming through the fog... pretty AND creepy! ;D

[seleneheart]

Thank you so much! The headlights and fog were a fun challenge - I'm glad it worked!

[ar-richardson.livejournal.com]

Love, love, love the lighting in the main illustration. The headlights, the fog, the detail on the trees is all awesome. Great work!

[seleneheart]

OMG, thank you!! The lighting drove me insane for this, can't tell you how many times I revised it.. The horse and rider really should have been a total silhouette, but that didn't look right either.

[confuzed.livejournal.com]

Love the main illustration. Very spooky! I rarely read gen fic, but I miss the early Supernatural. Hell I haven't actually watched it in over a year. May give it a go. Awesome art!!!

[seleneheart]

You should really read it if you miss the early days. I haven't watched it since maybe the middle of season 7 (was that the one with the vampire from purgatory?), I think. Maybe it was season 8.

[cassiopeia7.livejournal.com]

Beautifully atmospheric. I love the glimpse of the Impala's headlights through the fog. VERY NICELY DONE. :)

[seleneheart]

Thank you! I had fun working out that part.

[beelikej.livejournal.com]

Hee, I like that tombstone; I have a thing for skulls and yours is supercute (thanks for the link to the reference pics;) That is indeed an iconic scene, love the posture and uniform of the Hessian! Is it weird that I like the sketch almost more than the final version? There's just something about those black tree lines that's extra intimidating. Thanks for sharing!

[seleneheart]

You're very kind. I like the sketch too - it's what happens when I'm not really thinking too much. I over think.

[mashimero.livejournal.com]

Oooh nice work! The illustration is so eerie. And I love seeing WIPs and the progression of art from the initial to the final stages! Thanks for sharing :D

[seleneheart]

Thank yo for the comments - I really appreciate them.

[tmn1966.livejournal.com]

Oooh, very awesome. Thank you so much for including your 'first impressions' sketch as well. It's so cool to see an artists creative process.

[seleneheart]

I always wonder if people will think they're lame, so thank you for that feedback!

[sillie]

Very nice! Love the atmosphere you created. :)

[seleneheart]

Thank you!

[wendy.livejournal.com]

LOVE the mood that main graphic sets, and I love that you describe it as "classic SPN." This is wonderful, thank you for you your time on this project!

[seleneheart]

At this point, classic SPN is my favorite SPN! Thanks for the feedback!