Fanartist Focus #2 - Lizardspots
Presenting Lizardspots!
Welcome to the second installment of "Fanartist Focus", twinspiration's very own peek at fanart and fanartists who have chosen to depict aspects of twincest in their work. This time we are fortunate enough to be showcasing the fabulous lizardspots, who, while the quantity of her twincesty fanart output is comparatively small, the quality, as most twincest fans already know, is outstanding! Her Fred and George art "Dance Fever" is one of the most popular pieces in the twincest fandom, and she has the unique ability, like all the best fanartists, to tell an intricate story with her illustrative detail where no story actually exists. Her talent and style is immensely influential on both fanartists and fanwriters, and her popularity within the fandom is legendary. So put on those extendable ears, and join mrsrittenrotten now for the privilege of a chat with the amazing artist who is lizardspots:
Welcome to Twinspiration, Lizardspots! Thank you so much for participating in this series!
I'm honoured to be interviewed for your project! :) I haven't drawn much twincest at all, but hey, if you think I still deserve to be alongside the likes of Glockgal, who am I to argue? ;D
How did you first get interested in doing fanart in general and slash/twincest art specifically?
Harry Potter was the first fandom I came across with a sizeable fanartist contingent - in my previous fandoms I'd lurked and occasionally written fic. When I found out about fanart, I gave up writing and jumped straight in! And I've always been a slasher - my introduction to the concept of fanfiction was via a friend who was also a slasher. Why twincest in particular... I just love the twins! :D They had such a great dynamic in the books and films. It's also visually very interesting to draw them.
What is your favorite media to work in?
My favourite media to work with is digital - I use my tablet with Open Canvas. Though I sometimes work with pencil, ink and watercolours when I'm feeling adventurous.
What most inspires you to draw your fanart? Do you prefer creating art suggested by a scene in a specific story, or inventing your own original scenario?
I mostly draw scenes from my imagination, but then my imagination is fuelled by all the fanfic I've read, so... hehe.
How do you approach your composition? Where do you prefer to get image reference material? (photos, live models, etc)? What is the average amount of time you spend on a piece?
I'm very disorganised when it comes to composition. I start off with a single image/moment that is very striking, like the look on someone's face, or a particular pose, a hand reaching out to the foreground etc.
Then I just fill in the background bit by bit as I go along, adding a setting and a backstory to my scene with strategic objects, an open door in the background, books strewn on the ground and so on. It's so fun trying to tell a story with the background. :D For references, I haven't used photos of people for a long time now, but I'm always needing ideas for the props and clothing. For that, Google is my best friend, followed closely by Getty Images. :D
The average amount of time I spend on a drawing varies depending on the size of the drawing, the level of detail, and the medium I'm using. It can range from 4 hours to a couple of days.
Do you paint other twins or just Fred and George?
I drew Parvati and Padma once. :D
What are some of your main goals when painting twincest-themed pieces? Do you have any problems or preferences you notice while you are creating your art? Does your mental image of the twins fit with the short, stocky, canon description of them, or the lean, lanky film actors who portray them, or perhaps something else entirely?
In my mind, I see the twins as stocky and medium height rather than short. But I've drawn them lanky as well - it depends what fits with the scene I'm drawing. :D
How do you most effectively utilize your art to emphasize the twins' relationship (ie: overt sexual activity, seductive facial expression, or subtle gesture/body language)?
Of the meagre collection of twins pics I have, two of them have been of the sexy variety. [Ed's Note: particularly hot is Lizardspots' Wet Wet Wet featuring the twins and Harry - NC17 for wonderful threesome/showersmut fun!] I like having the twins mirroring each other's actions subtly, not so that they're identically posed, but so that they seem to easily fit together and complement each other.
Do you ever have trouble keeping the twins looking identical?
Definitely - I'd say I've never succeeded in making them look identical. But in art, I guess it's enough if they look similar and they have the right body language, so getting them perfect isn't important. :D
Lizardspots' wonderful "Dance Fever"
The piece you did called Dance Fever is immensely popular among twincest fans on the internet, did you know that? I daresay it's practically legendary.
*boggles* I... can honestly say I'm gobsmacked! That's crazy! Hahahaha. :D How awesome! I'm so unaware of the fandom beyond my little Livejournal friends list.
What was everyone's initial reaction to that art when you first posted it?
It was overwhelming! I'd never imagined such a positive response. That art was a gift for d_copper on LJ, and my foremost aim was to draw something she would like, and she had asked for the twins in a nightclub. I'm really surprised that it's apparently popular amongst twincest fans, hee! I mean, it was just a pic that I drew for d_copper, I didn't really think about what the rest of fandom would think of it. It was a very enjoyable piece to work on - complete self-indulgence with all the sexy activity and the clubwear the twins are wearing, and then splashing around the colours from the strobe lights in the background. :D
Can you think of any other twincest fanfic you have read which might inspire you to create such a gorgeous illustration again?
One of my favourites is Icarus Ancalion's "Ante Up". Who knows? Perhaps if I have time in the future, I might illustrate it. :D It's such a hot fic, and just how I imagine the twins with each other.
Who are your favorite fanartists, and your favorite websites for posting/viewing the fanart of others?
I have too many fanartists whose work I love - if I begun listing them, I'd be here all day! Though I confess Glockgal wins the prize for most brilliant twins and twincest art. :D My favourite place to find and post fanart is Livejournal - it's such a friendly, community atmosphere, and so fun and easy to interact with others.
What aspects of the twins and their relationship with each other or another character do you most like to emphasize in your work?
I like to emphasise their sense of fun and cheekiness, and how attuned they are to each other. And of course, I like to emphasise their gorgeous physiques and all those freckles. :P
Who are your favorite characters to paint, if not the twins?
Snape, Harry, Remus and Ron.
Might you do more twincest fanart in the future?
Very possibly! If the bunny bites...
What in your opinion can be improved upon in the fanart community overall?
I can't think of anything - it's such a lovely place already. :D
Where can your art be seen online?
I have a website, but it's currently down while I revamp. For now, all my art can be found on my Livejournal here.
What is your policy on LJ'ers friending you?
It's a free for all! People can friend me or defriend me as they wish. :D All my art is posted publicly.
On behalf of everyone at Twinspiration, thank you, lizardspots, for giving twincest fans this glimpse into your thoughts and your art! We really appreciate your time, talent, and generosity. We look forward to the possibility of future twin-inspired fanart yet to be created!
Thank you again for interviewing me, I'm very honoured! And still incredibly surprised that "Dance Fever" is as popular as you say it is. I can't quite believe it! o.O Wow. :D
Believe it!
-MrsRittenrotten.