BB reclist #5

[beelikej]

I'm still reading fics from this year's spn_j2_bigbang, but this is my final reclist for that challenge:) As usual I focused on artwork and picked favorites regardless of pairing or plot of the story it was made for.
There were many beautiful things on offer and I was impressed by (almost) everything. I hope you take these recommendations as an incentive. In whatever fandom you're writing, reading or lurking: don't forget to check out the artwork and honour the artists!

BB 2012 reclist part five
ARTRECS
Photo-art for Superheroes suck (or, the unfortunately extraordinary life of Jensen Ackles) by artist mithborien: I love the rasterized background (very oldschool comics;) and the bold colours. Mithborien totally succeeded in giving the artwork a comic feel, despite using photos. Excellent choice of pictures and text plus perfect presentation with the frames in brick style. Very cool:)

Digital paintings for Come Hell or High Water by artist sm0kingbunny: The drawings of the guys are very sexy, but also check out the amazing god & goddess in the background:)

Graphic designs and paint-over art for Crushing Grip by artist marciaelena: A great set of designs, the story banner is beautiful. The funky lettering of the title (and songs) fits nicely with the overall typewriter font. I love how marciaelena consistently used that paperclippings style, yet managed to mix it with unique SPN elements for every song. The different dividers are also a well executed idea and a great addition to the story.

Black and white pencil on photo-designs forOne Step At A Time by artist barbara_ger: Love this style and the compositions with the art and text:) The pencil strokes and lack of colour make it really moody. I like that there is a piece of every character. The main banner with Dean looking straight at me is awesome.

Digital drawings for Chaos with Better Lighting by artist remivel: Beautiful artwork. I love the fitting lettering and I like the symbols and colours in the dividers and chapterheaders. The guys' clothes are gorgeous; especially Dean's outfit made me go "unf" and the pattern and sleeves on Castiel's shirt are perfect.

Drawing (and photobanner) for In the Darkness (With You) by artist padacocking: The banner is already quite ominous but the drawing is even more AWESOME. The whole set up of the scene is perfect; it tells a story all by itself. I love the shading on Dean's face.

Paintings for Since I've Been Loving You by artist salty_catfish: One of the best banners of this year's BigBang: so bold with the red and the monotone painting and tight lettering. Perfect.
The extra artwork is painfully beautiful: the muted colours, the detailed scars and texture of the skin (freckles!), the shading on the bunched up sheet and -holy wow- the back of Jensen's knee; they all take my breath away.
Also check out the wonderful watercolour art for Enough Of Its Glory Remains

Graphic banner and digital drawing for Busy Being Born by artist __hibiscus: A beautiful scene and I love the title card; it's such a stong visual!

Watercolours & graphic design for To Feel You Underneath My Skin by artist ewlyn: Very cool; by putting the image on an envelop it captures not only the content but also the emotional pull of the story. The details and shading are the finishing touches.

Funky painting for The Unseen by artist mizzy2k: Quite unique drawing/painting style, I love that there is so much to see on the main banner; the bricks in the wall, the curtainrings and the lightswitch. Good work.

FICRECS
Instinct & Taste - kelleigh
Artist: secretlytodream (art was mentioned in reclist#4:)
Pairing: Jared/Jensen [NC-17 / 45,400]
Quick description: Chef!Jensen is dedicated to his kitchen, even though the owner of the restaurant doesn't appreciate his skills. Dogwalker!Jared shows him there is more to life than work.
I loved how insightful Jared was about the situation and I adored Jensen's obsession with food. I could relate to him being absorbed by the job and being determined to make it work despite all the complications.
On top of being a wonderful story, this may have even opened my eyes about my own life...

Unmake the Bed - deirdre_c
Artist: maichan (artwork is a complete website! -with audioplay sound)
Pairing: Jared/Jensen [NC-17 / 41,000]
Quick description: Notorious Playboy Prince!Jensen is staying at elite Caribbean resort where Student!Jared is part of the housekeeping staff. He has to attend Jensen's rooms...
Maybe not what you expect from the summary: this is actually quite a sweet story. I like the backgrounds of both guys and how Jensen reaches out to a slightly insecure Jared. The ending even made me hold my breath, not to mention the excellent sexscenes that don't follow the usual pattern. Good stuff. *snuggles story*

We Fell in Love in a Hopeless Place - nightrider101
Artist: apieceofcake
Pairing: Jared/Jensen [NC-17 / 46,000]
Quick description: In a world where machines have taken over, people are hiding to survive. Jensen is the -unspoken- leader of a small underground camp. Jared joins the group.
THIS. WAS. SO GOOD. Unf. Loved how rough this world is and how Jensen is trying to hold things together (himself and without intending to do so, the group). I also like that Jared wasn't afraid to confront him.
Great characterizations, awesome plot.
About the artwork: I'm envious of this beautiful blending technique. I usually have issues with SPN-photos for RPS stories, but these promo-images work so well with the AU-summary, they really are a perfect choice! I love the grimey style and lack of colours in the main-banner, but when I saw the coloured version, I couldn't pick a favorite. The composition of the alternative wallpaper is very dynamic and definitely an inspiration for me.

That's it! You can browse my previous reclists here. If you have any additional art- or fic suggestions, let me know!

Just in case you missed it, this is what I created for the BigBang this summer:
Digital designs for A Crazy Little Thing by dontknowmyname - Biker!Jensen/Student!Jared
Photomanips and drawings for To See The World In A Grain Of Sand by belledewinter
- A steampunk J2 version of Around The World In 80 Days!
(I promise this is the last time I'll remind you of my own BigBang designs;) You can find all my other artwork in my masterlist;)

I have one week left to hand in artwork for the Early Bird option of the spn_reversebang. I finally got a satisfying idea yesterday, putting it together is the next challenge...

Note to sillie82: only the third fic is suitable for your interests, so here's a Tumblr rec especially for you: jensen-tothemax



Originally posted by sexybowlegs (good for another overdose of Mr. Ackles;)
ETA: I just discovered the photo was made by Steve Carlson. Thanks for sharing, dude!

Comments

[tanisafan.livejournal.com]

Yeaaaah I woke up to that picture while scrolling through my twitter feed. It was good times. Thank you, Jared, for retweeting that. UNF. What was the world like before all the wonderful boys I like were on twitter? I forget :p.

[beelikej.livejournal.com]

I don't know how we survived the drought. *embraces the internet*

[sillie]

Unf, that picture. Thanks for that. Also, thank you for letting me know what I can read. <3

[beelikej.livejournal.com]

You're welcome:) This time I made notes right after I finished the fics, because I'm not usually consciously aware of who's doing what in the heat of the moment (iykwim) so for that previous list I had to recheck all the stories (which was fun by the way;) How's the reading going, are you catching up?

[sillie]

Heh, the reading's not really going yet. Work is leaving me so tired, I just can't really concentrate on anything it seems. But I'm hoping I'll be able to read some once the summer vacation schedule is over (one more week! \o/). I'll let you know once I've read something, and what I think of it. :)

[beelikej.livejournal.com]

Ahw, that's a shame. Hang in there! Lots of delicious fic to look forward to:)

[nightrider101.livejournal.com]

Thank you for the rec. I'm flattered you liked the story enough to rec it. Now I'm going to peruse some of the other stories you mentioned. :)

[beelikej.livejournal.com]

You're welcome, your story was marvelous:) Hope you like the others as much as I liked yours!

[sm0kingbunny.livejournal.com]

Way too late, but really thanks for your rec ♥

[beelikej.livejournal.com]

It's never too late to comment;) You're welcome, I really like your style!