Welcome to the blog of Phantie, 30+ year old amateur artist, whose sources of inspiration include book illustration, art of animation, manga and graphic novels, and more.
I draw illustrations and fanart based on variety of fictional works – animated and life-action movies, TV series, manga/anime, literature – and sometimes ramble about them. You can see some of my original works here as well.
List of art-related tags (to be updated)
Some side notes (PSA, if you will)
My secondary blog, where I share things that inspire me (including reblogs)
A small fanart dedicated to one of my favorite childhood movies :3
"Maria Mirabela" is a 1981 soviet-romanian live action fantasy film featuring traditionally animated segments, produced by Soyuzmiltfilm and Romanian Studio 5 as a collaboration project. It revolves around two twin sisters, who unexpectedly go on a magical quest to help three creatures they meet on their way: Croakee the Frog, Skaparichi the Firefly and Omide the Butterfly. Together, they travelling through the woods, overcome different challenges to find the Forest Fairy.
It was such a joy to get back at drawing some USSR animation related content!
Lupin was lowering his wand, gazing fixed at Black. Next moment, he had walked to Black's side, seized his hand, pulled him to his feet so that Crookshanks fell to the floor, and embraced Black like a brother.
~~~
I didn’t initially have it in immediate plans to draw these two together, but after doing couple of portraits of Lupin in recent months, I got thought of illustrating the scene, corresponding with today’s (June 6, 1994) canonic events of “Prisoner of Azkaban” book.
What I didn’t say yet, Lupin used to be my favorite character of series back when I’ve been reading first four books in 2002. Apparently, he completely overshadowed Sirius for me at time (it says something that I somehow managed to forget his entire arc in Order of the Phoenix despite reading it once and going to theater to see 2007 movie twice, which by itself shocked me in recent re-reading), and while I became far more focused on Sirius this time around, I’ve gradually got fresh appreciation for Lupin as well, so I can say they’re equally my top favorite characters now.
(Following is a long string of my rambling on the matter of these characters and my musings about their relationships in the book canon.)
And despite liking each of them individually, I must admit, I’m feeling rather ambivalent about relationships between them, because for supposed close group of friends they don’t feel like having that much of a personal connection and seem more of friends by association with James, who was seemingly that charismatic leader figure who had gathered around him people that otherwise would have nothing in common with each other on their own. And major testament to it is the fact those two people who presumably knew each other for years, turned to mutually mistrustfully suspecting one another of treachery and a secret work for an enemy for no discernible reason.
There is, however, possible context for it in retrospection, that from Sirius’s perspective, Lupin, being one of marginalized group, would seeking protection of he one who’s known taking those under his wing, especially when Lupin once had precedent of acting behind the back of person who was first to offer him acceptation, and, I assume, it’s not out of character for Sirius displaying that attitude of “me and James against all the world” while everyone else deemed distrustful. It’s even possible that, before the revelation of Remus’s big secret to the group, Sirius could think of him simply as of another weakling whom James generously decided to patronize, like with Peter. Still, one can argue, it’s not justified enough to bluntly suspect disloyalty of person to the circle of his true friends, especially before there’s any sign of him even doing it.
On the other hand, there are hints and implications of Lupin, while claiming he “thought he knew” his friend and was deceived in thinking better of him, simply convincing himself (or pretending to be convinced) in Sirius’ capability of switching sides, to placate conscience and avoid making admission of having betrayed trust of Dumbledore in his past, as well as having that ongoing conflict of keeping shared secret preventing him from presenting alibi for his friend (sorry for being vague, but you probably know what plotpoint I refer to), so it wasn’t entirely sincere sentiment on his part. And then, he instantly jumped on opportunity of proving himself wrong the second there was a thin possibility Sirius was innocent, as the scene depicted shows, forgiving him heartily without further questions. (But then, how even anybody who had spent years alongside Sirius, could that easily believe he, seemingly never subtle in expression of utter devotion to James, would turn a cunning traitor at all? Seemingly everyone did, just because he did that false confession while being in disrupted state of mind, so perhaps, Lupin isn’t that guilty as isolated case, and likely just gaslighted by the rest to share the sentiment.)
All that said, it’s my impression from all their depicted interactions, Lupin appears to being peripheral figure in the life of Sirius to develop any insight about his true personality, but (and I admit it’s purely speculative and reading between the lines on my part), as it seems, for Remus presence of him was more meaningful and formative, and not just because Sirius ended to be last remaining of only friends Remus ever had.
As follows from his backstory, Remus, an introverted, meek kid who’s been undergoing recurring trauma and ostracism related to it, had a luck to ger accepted and welcomed by cool privileged kids, and partially out of gratitude, partially out of fear of jinxing it, was avoiding of a confrontation or a rift with them (as evidenced by observant memory of one future then Prof.) lest them turning their backs on him would be a lesser problem, in all fairness (you don’t want to make enemies with a bunch of wild teenagers who you’re forced to spent 24/7 and likely sharing dormitory with, and being their former ally makes you even easiest target). Maybe the dread was justifiable, maybe not, he didn’t allow himself to test it anyway, but it makes sense his adult self would accuse himself of cowardice for that too, even if for a traumatized child it’s excusable. (Also remember, from Dumbledore’s position, there is special bravery in confronting one’s friends for their wrongs too, so that philosophy of his old patron might be one Lupin did adopt too.)
Sirius, in his turn, was and is a total opposite: a brash extrovert who’s wearing his heart on his sleeve (and, despite being a renegade of his family, still keeps all the privilege to act as he pleases at all times) and, even if tries, does fail to keep any emotion to himself. He, probably (another speculation on my part), could even get excited at a fact he’s got a werewolf in his close circle for the awesomeness of it, ignorantly expressing perspective of something painful and humiliating for Remus being seen as something cool ad full of opportunities from perspective of onlooker. Which, surprisingly, had positive impact on young Remus, and contributed in him making steps to relative peace with his condition and starting breaking out of his shell (it’s something he says himself in different words after all). I can imagine Sirius trying to persuade him to just turn the rest of guys into werewolves as well, before they’re figured more elaborate, but safer solution. I can imagine Sirius saying and doing all kinds of inane stuff before and/or without thinking, especially in his adolescent days.
Back to present, we meet R.J. Lupin as still very collected, pensive, yet notoriously strong-willed confident person (despite him reflecting on his former and recurring flaws), composed and brave enough to looks his fears in the eye despite not fully healed from it. As opposite to Sirius, who, while not entirely voluntary, did subjected himself to years of single-goal mentality (and while it was in order to maintain sanity and morale, it did damage on his psyche as well) and denied himself ability to evolve as a person and thus, while demonstrating maturity and astute mind, frequently reverting back to impulsive to the fault teenager (with fatal tendency of continuously digging his own grave). In some way, they’re both evolved into truest versions of themselves, but if one became more of an independent person with control of his emotional core, other instead got stripped down to his essential primary vulnerable self. One is able to moving forward, other refusing to let the past go and embracing new opportunities.
While the arc of Sirius doesn’t exactly give us much of his point of view (unless he speaks of it directly), it may be assumed through the course of it he’s gradually having to confront the truth that, after all, it’s not in his power to revive the past relationship by trying to project it onto the offspring of lost friend, said offspring being a person of his own with his own circle of friends and the family that welcomed him (not unlike Sirius himself being adopted into family of James), the world turned around while he was grieving and seeking revenge, and he seemingly has no place in it and no purpose, confined to the cursed place he was aspired to escape forever and going full circle back to it, and on the top of all, getting regaled with a recollection of his past self in all his obnoxious glory via uneasy conversation with the person he should’ve been a role model for (and whom he, in past moment of desperation, proposed to give to him to raise). And one can assume, somewhere during those visits Lupin paid to him on his own good will to easy growing despair of Sirius in winter and spring 1996, there would happen a conversation on the matter (friend in need is a friend indeed, as saying goes). But whatever was brewing in his mind behind the scenes, it seems he didn’t get an opportunity of fully accepting the changes and, most important, reflect on it to come to realization he himself is not a burden or superfluous element in lives of his most important person and the found family of his, they do genuinely care about his safety and his future as well, even if by cruel irony of the fate, he didn’t got a chance of hearing it from any of them firsthand, including, as it may be, from his own remaining and proved loyal friend to whom he, at the moment, was single most important person himself (bare the first person who did show kindness to him as a kid, his former director and current superior). It speaks volumes when he awkwardly assumes his godson is only eager to live with him in dark gloomy place of his because the life with current guardians is that insufferable anything is better (and not because the kid is concerned about your miserable solitude taking a toll on your mental condition, or just because he, well, loves you, which even your crazy cousin figured and voiced better).
Interestingly, each of these two embodies different kind of ideal friend, both showcasing equally virtues of these ideals and shortcomings. Sirius is an embodiment of ultimate fidelity, combined with strong principles and beliefs, seeming to be a face of perfect guardian and epitome of brotherhood, while, at the same time, foolhardy in his self-sacrificial loyalty, neglectful to his own well-being, and his devotion makes him dangerously blind to flaws of its subject (and his own as long as his loved one enables them), as well as overprotective, nearly possessive and jealous. And if the current subject of it wasn’t that eagerly reciprocating, all that passionate devotion would make one it’s directed to, most likely, uncomfortable and making him looking more like a stalker (and, in all honesty, making him one). Remus, in his turn, is someone who is able to love deeply while not overseeing the flaws of person dear to him, and at his best trying to guide them away from self-destructive impulses (and he, seemingly, is one person who has ability to constrain Sirius a bit when he’s starting losing control of his emotional state, or, perhaps, one beside Potter(s) he’s willing to listening to), while remaining a self-sufficient person on his own. Shortcoming is in him, at times, being too reserved and avoiding to express his feelings directly so his care remains underappreciated by the subjects of it unless said subject happens to have independent strong feelings for him.
In somewhat rushed conclusion of all said, while there definitely has been a potent ground between these two for a mutual deep connection bloomed in adversity, in the end it appears to be a missed opportunity rather than preestablished bond.
A tangential note: I’m aware there is more than one version of these books (at least one originally released in UK and US one with slightly revised vocabulary), and it seems the differences in editions go even beyond isolated semantic ones, as indicated by one peculiar example I encountered while looking for an accurate quote of the moment when Lupin, having addressed Sirius for the first time in the story (“Where he is?”), slightly drops his usually impenetrable façade. In my paper edition (by Bloomsbury) he speaks “in an odd voice, a voice that shook with some suppressed emotion”, while in some online version of unknown origin, it says “in a very tense voice”. The wording differs to the point it conveys almost opposite meaning (isn’t shaken an opposite of tense?). I don’t know for sure if one on the site predates one in print, or other way around, anyway, second quote is in character for Lupin, but first one is more poignant and characterizes his personality more strongly. Each time he shows any crack in his self-composure is meaningful, and it’s mostly indicated by description of his voice. If the one line from online text is one changed from original for one reason or another, I wonder why, but seemingly not just for brevity (adaptation for different reading level, perhaps?).
Iroh is Tumblr Sехуmеn now?? I was already not sure what exact criterias fit into that terminology, but that becomes even more confusing. I guess now it's every male character that is popular for whatever reason on the platform rather than certain archetype used mostly ironically. I'm generally inclined to abstain from contributing in those things (apparently what I considered ironic joke does have implications that don't make me qualified to make difference in that kind of thing anyway), but I did vote for him just for giggles.
1 June is International Children's Day, established as the international day dedicated to protection of children by the Women's International Democratic Federation in 1949.
Welcome to the blog of Phantie, 30+ year old amateur artist, whose sources of inspiration include book illustration, art of animation, manga and graphic novels, and more.
I draw illustrations and fanart based on variety of fictional works – animated and life-action movies, TV series, manga/anime, literature – and sometimes ramble about them. You can see some of my original works here as well.
List of art-related tags (to be updated)
Some side notes (PSA, if you will)
My secondary blog, where I share things that inspire me (including reblogs)
I missed round 1, but yay for Moominmamma (who was one of my submitted characters back when participants were decided)! She must pass all the way into the final round! (She was once crowned best children book character on the former Twitter, going against Paddington in grand final.)
Sad for Julieta, though, she didn't make it past round 1 (but Pepa did, apparently). Lamentably overlooked, as always.
Tribute to the few anime series debuted on the spring season 20 years ago.
Interestingly, there are: two main characters who are addicted to sweets and alcohol; two main characters named Haruhi; two main characters voiced by Tomokazu Sugita.
Rather late, I realized I should’ve been adding Tamaki and Shinpachi here too as respective eccentric and straight man to protagonists of their series, to fit with other two pairs, maybe I’ll redraw it in five or ten years with this in mind.
This day prompt is an excuse for a screenshot redraw! Wanted to do this one for some time (but it goes for the most of my works).
I tried to push my own style more purposefully in this one.
There was quite a few fanarts going around based on this scene, but ones I’ve seen all neglected presence of Agustín (possibly because of his comical appearance). I’ve compromised deciding to ignore the stings (musical sequences are devices to streamline narrative anyway, so it’s not necessary to be accurate with minor details here).
Redraw of another The Simpsons fanart from 2023, in the honor of 30th anniversary of corresponding episode (new one, as per usual, on left, old one on right).
“Summer of 4 Ft. 2” (season 7, ep. 25 (153)), released May 19, 1996.
