#21 - 21 icons for 20inspirations / Charity
Dear Watchers!
I am updating, because I am finally done with my Round 11 20inspirations claim. This month around the inspirations' essence are songs. We were given 15 songs to download and draw our inspirations from the lyrics, and we also had the choice to come up with 5 titles on our own! I originally was thinking about Ludovico Einaudi, but ended up going with Damien Rice, as his songs really really really fit for the fandom of Merlin. I also came up with a new colouring technique, and you can say I tried to use textures differently, and these icons are in an over-all different style. I guess I am not really up to sticking with a style just yet, I keep experimenting especially with these claims, as they push us over the edge. Anyhow, enough of that, I typed a lot below and my fingers kind of ache, so I hope you will be able to enjoy some of the icons! I appreciate your feedback, because they make me smile and feel accomplished! Thank you.
On to the icons and my pscho-rambling explanations that go with them:
[1-20] Merlin - Season 1 for 20inspirations
[21] Alternative for 20inspirations
Somebody That I
Used To Know
Be Mine
Polish Girl
Something About Us
Broken Strings
Unlike Me
What Hurts the Most
Unarmed
To Build A Home
Pursuit of Happiness
We Don't Bleed
Who You Are
Ships In The Night
The Fear You Won't Fall
Breathe Me
The Blower's Daughter
Unplayed Piano
9 Crimes
Rootless Tree
Volcano
1. ~ Somebody I Used to Know - Merlin/Nimueh ~ "...now you are just somebody I used to know.", even if I was mainly just inspired by the title to be honest, the song is beautiful though. I blended them together, at their last scene together, where Merlin killed her, and I kind of wanted to icon a moment where magic is used, because both Nimueh and Merlin are all about their magic. I used colder colours as their relationship wasn't exactly cuddly.
2. ~ Be Mine - Merlin/Morgana ~ "...no you never were and you never will be mine." When I listened to this track I instantly thought of my favourite ship Merlin/Morgana, and how perfect they are/would be together, but it didn't happen and it probably never will.
3. ~ Polish Girl - Morgana ~ "Do I still cross your mind?" I once saw such an icon composition with a different execution by sallyna_smile, so I decided to be a bit bolder and try is myself with a different take on it of course. I really like the colours, the muteness and the soft, warm yellows. I also added a texture from my White Noise set, because without the icon seemed too plain, but with it, in my eyes the mood is just right for Morgana.
4. ~ Something About Us - Merlin/Arthur ~ "...but there's something about us I've got to do...some kind of secret I will share with you." Oh, yeah when I have read the lyrics I knew this had to be an Arthur/Merlin icon. They have a mission together, two sides of one coin and all, and there are definitely a lot of secrets, or more like one major one that stands between them, but as the lyrics says, it will be shared with time. Everything has a time to be played out just right, and their time is still waiting. I used contradictory colours, fitting their personalities too, sort of and this icon is actually one of my favourites of the whole batch.
5. ~ Broken Strings - Merlin/Morgana ~ "...I tried to forgive, but it is not enough to make it all okay." I know that the break in their relationship only happens around next season, but I couldn't think of a better ship for this icon, I used Season 1 images, with all four seasons knowledge, and with that knowledge it is quite accurate. I also used a texture from my White Noise set to imitate strings that are kind of broken in several places. Come to think of it I could have used Uther/Morgana, but I prefer to icon these two. :D
6. ~ Unlike Me - Lancelot ~ "...there are no guarantees in life, not for the present, nor for the future. All I know is that I'm here." Yep, that is pretty much Season 1 - Lancelot. He is having doubts about himself, yet he wants to be a Knight, and nobly saves the day, but there is no guarantee for his kindness and braveness to be repaid, yet Arthur shows respect. I chose this image, because I liked the was his hair flew, and that he is in an armour that isn't really his... it just fits. I also used one of the elements of Camelot's Coat of Arms.
7. ~ What Hurts The Most - (Uther)/Morgana ~ "...what hurts the most was being so close." With this song, even when I only saw the title I thought about the episode when Morgana plots with an evil person to kill Uther, as he threw her into prison and continually fights against her kind, executing people with magic. She is hurt because she thought she had such a close relationship with Uther, but he doesn't mind her being in the cellars. I used black and white and a close crop to emphasize her sorrow.
8. ~ Unarmed - Merlin ~ "So just save your words and I'll fade away now..., give me a match and I'll burn it all down, pick up your feet and take me home now..., 'cause it's dark inside, and I'm all alone." This fits Merlin, his pain about not being able to tell anyone about his magic. And he usually, especially through the first season has this attitude that he is nobody without his magic, and my cap of choice shows him, unarmed, vulnerable, and that is how it connects altogether. I used mute colours to kind of show more vulnerability and some sort of childish innocence he still has in Season 1.
9. ~ To Build A Home - Merlin/Merlin's Mother ~ I was inspired by the title, and given the title and the screencapture, I didn't need to focus much on the lyrics itself, even if I had listened to the song plenty of times. I don't think there is much explanation needed for this icon, still: Merlin loves her mother dearly, and that is completely mutual that is why she trusts Gaius with looking after her beloved special son. I used bold colours and some crazy textures to emphasize the radiance of their love. In my head it works out.
10. ~ We Don't Bleed - Arthur/Gwen ~ "...and the lights are coming down, I will kiss you in your sleep." Their affection starts to blossom in Season 1, and their love is forbidden, but when the night and silence falls, the Prince can sneak off to his beloved Gwen. That does not exactly happen in the show, but that is how I imagine a man in love would behave towards the maiden of his heart. I used a soft, gentle mute colour, because it fits them.
11. ~ The Pursuit of Happiness - Morgana ~ "...I'm on the pursuit of happiness and I know everything that shine ain't always gonna be gold." Yes, that is her. She is constantly looking to find herself, her purpose, she doesn't understand her dreams, she is afraid and scared, but she is looking for that ray of light and hope, with the knowledge of the cold reality. I used some crazy colouring and textures to emphasize her journey. And her hair is epic.
12. ~ Who You Are - Merlin ~ Once more, I focused on the title and the essence of Merlin, his magic. I used a screencapture for when he is rushing to save Arthur with a wizarding staff in his hands. Pretty much shows he has magic and that he is a really devoted, loyal character, and that is who he is: a loyal, kind-hearted warlock. I used greenish tones, because I noticed that I pretty much went with mostly warm colours and I didn't want the whole batch to be a sprinkle of shades of purples, violets, yellows and soft muted colours. Besides green totally fits the outside scenarios.
13. ~ Ships In The Night - Merlin ~ "...we're just wasting time...,trying to find the light." Those are just bits of the lyrics, that I thought fitted Merlin. He sometimes totally thinks he is wasting time with Arthur and his "destiny", and he is constantly trying to find a solution, yet the Light and all the answers are within him. :)
14. ~ The Fear You Won't Fall - Merlin/Morgana ~ "...I miss you more than I should, that I thought I could... I can't get my mind off of you." Yes! That is the relationship they have in my head, love and all the things that come with love: affection, passion, and a longing to linger more and more in each other's presence. I ended up blending them together, it is kind of a darker mood this icon has because of their expression, they go so well together though: the longing of Morgana and the cold reality hitting Merlin, that he is way below her social status. Poor doomed darlings. I used a new colouring on the whole batch I invented for myself, and on this icon it is an interesting combination.
15. ~ Breathe Me - Morgana ~ "...Be my friend, hold me, wrap me up, unfold me...and breathe me." I think those bits pretty much describe her vulnerability and her constant need for gentleness. The Season 1 Morgana is in constant search of justice and love. That is how I see her then. I used a very soft colouring and a close cropping to emphasize her sort of innocence, that is going through a constant break through each and every episode and that leads up to who she is recently in Season 4, but I cannot restrain myself from hoping for her to find her Light and Kindness again, but that pretty much seems to be a major lost cause... with all the evil smirks and kills.
16. ~ Damien Rice - The Blower's Daughter - Merlin/Morgana ~ "...I can't take my eyes off of you, I can't take my mind off ofyou." Well it is true. Merlin kind of can't take his eyes off of Morgana in a couple of Season 1 episodes. ♥ And Morgana is kind of attracted to him too, even if she tries to hide it. ;) I can totally see through them! The icon started out completely different, but I ended up playing with "offset" and cutted parts and made them a lot smaller, as their chances together are not major, or none at all, and I am the kind of person who loves to analyze everything, even things that are not really there. I left the colours vibrant on Morgana and muted the rest of the icon, because that is the sort of feel their ship has. Merlin, unable to show affection, but thinks of her so vibrantly and fondly and Morgana who is above him in a social status, cannot notice, (even if she does. ;)) that Merlin is fond of her. This sounds better in my head guys.
17. ~ Damien Rice - Unplayed Piano - Merlin ~ "...I've got nothing to hide, I've done nothing wrong." All Merlin does is saving Camelot, Uther, Arthur... basically everyone, day after day, week after week... etc. He does nothing wrong at all, yet he had to hide who he really is. I love this icon, and I cannot explain much of this. I did it this way to show how he deeply cares about people and destiny, yet he is hurt.
18. ~ Damien Rice - 9 Crimes - Morgana ~ "...it's the wrong time, it's a small crime, and I've got no excuse." Dear Morgana, it is definitely the wrong time for you to stick up for magic, when Uther is so against it, but I appreciate your sense of justice! You could totally have joined Merlin on his quest and together help Arthur. ♥ Oh yes, my shipper mind wanders away while I am writing this. I was basically inspired by the words: crime, hide, wrong, and I knew that I wanted to make an icon with Morgana in the dungeons. Even there she is breath-taking and has an attitude. That's my girl.
19. ~ Damien Rice - Rootless Tree - Merlin/Morgana ~ "...what I want from us, is empty our minds..." I was inspired to go Merlin/Morgana once more, as I love them so much together, but I guess that is kind of more than obvious right now. I went with a soft muted theme, a fancy vintage border and the essential text. I don't have much more to say about the icon.
20. ~ Damien Rice - Volcano - Morgana ~ "...what I am to you is not real." I originally made a different version of this icon for the song "The Pursuit of Happiness", but I decided it was too red and it didn't fit, and when I finally gathered my artist choice songs and decided on Damien Rice, I knew that that icon would be yet useful for one of the songs. I played with it some more, erased a lot of red and gave it some sort of noisy/brushy feel and added the essential inspirational line. The icon has a darker feel, and I kind of associate this with her being a witch and what people see is not real. That can be interpreted in many ways. I basically think that her evil side that developed later is not real, it is all a mask reinforced by grief, sorrow and a lot of anger.
Alternative:
[21]
Just a single one, but I didn't want not to post it. I like this too, not as much as the other one, so that is why this is the alternative.
Phew this took me a lot of time to make, upload and write, so enjoy!
Also, don't forget to check out the charity event, where I am offering a a set of 10 icons and a set of 15 icon textures, along many other even more talented people! If you want I can change the icon auction to another texture auction, or simply add another one. I don't mind, it is for a really good cause!
Take care of yourselves,
with love,
Lex
I am updating, because I am finally done with my Round 11 20inspirations claim. This month around the inspirations' essence are songs. We were given 15 songs to download and draw our inspirations from the lyrics, and we also had the choice to come up with 5 titles on our own! I originally was thinking about Ludovico Einaudi, but ended up going with Damien Rice, as his songs really really really fit for the fandom of Merlin. I also came up with a new colouring technique, and you can say I tried to use textures differently, and these icons are in an over-all different style. I guess I am not really up to sticking with a style just yet, I keep experimenting especially with these claims, as they push us over the edge. Anyhow, enough of that, I typed a lot below and my fingers kind of ache, so I hope you will be able to enjoy some of the icons! I appreciate your feedback, because they make me smile and feel accomplished! Thank you.
On to the icons and my pscho-rambling explanations that go with them:
[1-20] Merlin - Season 1 for 20inspirations
[21] Alternative for 20inspirations
Somebody That I
Used To Know
Be Mine
Polish Girl
Something About Us
Broken Strings
Unlike Me
What Hurts the Most
Unarmed
To Build A Home
Pursuit of Happiness
We Don't Bleed
Who You Are
Ships In The Night
The Fear You Won't Fall
Breathe Me
The Blower's Daughter
Unplayed Piano
9 Crimes
Rootless Tree
Volcano
1. ~ Somebody I Used to Know - Merlin/Nimueh ~ "...now you are just somebody I used to know.", even if I was mainly just inspired by the title to be honest, the song is beautiful though. I blended them together, at their last scene together, where Merlin killed her, and I kind of wanted to icon a moment where magic is used, because both Nimueh and Merlin are all about their magic. I used colder colours as their relationship wasn't exactly cuddly.
2. ~ Be Mine - Merlin/Morgana ~ "...no you never were and you never will be mine." When I listened to this track I instantly thought of my favourite ship Merlin/Morgana, and how perfect they are/would be together, but it didn't happen and it probably never will.
3. ~ Polish Girl - Morgana ~ "Do I still cross your mind?" I once saw such an icon composition with a different execution by sallyna_smile, so I decided to be a bit bolder and try is myself with a different take on it of course. I really like the colours, the muteness and the soft, warm yellows. I also added a texture from my White Noise set, because without the icon seemed too plain, but with it, in my eyes the mood is just right for Morgana.
4. ~ Something About Us - Merlin/Arthur ~ "...but there's something about us I've got to do...some kind of secret I will share with you." Oh, yeah when I have read the lyrics I knew this had to be an Arthur/Merlin icon. They have a mission together, two sides of one coin and all, and there are definitely a lot of secrets, or more like one major one that stands between them, but as the lyrics says, it will be shared with time. Everything has a time to be played out just right, and their time is still waiting. I used contradictory colours, fitting their personalities too, sort of and this icon is actually one of my favourites of the whole batch.
5. ~ Broken Strings - Merlin/Morgana ~ "...I tried to forgive, but it is not enough to make it all okay." I know that the break in their relationship only happens around next season, but I couldn't think of a better ship for this icon, I used Season 1 images, with all four seasons knowledge, and with that knowledge it is quite accurate. I also used a texture from my White Noise set to imitate strings that are kind of broken in several places. Come to think of it I could have used Uther/Morgana, but I prefer to icon these two. :D
6. ~ Unlike Me - Lancelot ~ "...there are no guarantees in life, not for the present, nor for the future. All I know is that I'm here." Yep, that is pretty much Season 1 - Lancelot. He is having doubts about himself, yet he wants to be a Knight, and nobly saves the day, but there is no guarantee for his kindness and braveness to be repaid, yet Arthur shows respect. I chose this image, because I liked the was his hair flew, and that he is in an armour that isn't really his... it just fits. I also used one of the elements of Camelot's Coat of Arms.
7. ~ What Hurts The Most - (Uther)/Morgana ~ "...what hurts the most was being so close." With this song, even when I only saw the title I thought about the episode when Morgana plots with an evil person to kill Uther, as he threw her into prison and continually fights against her kind, executing people with magic. She is hurt because she thought she had such a close relationship with Uther, but he doesn't mind her being in the cellars. I used black and white and a close crop to emphasize her sorrow.
8. ~ Unarmed - Merlin ~ "So just save your words and I'll fade away now..., give me a match and I'll burn it all down, pick up your feet and take me home now..., 'cause it's dark inside, and I'm all alone." This fits Merlin, his pain about not being able to tell anyone about his magic. And he usually, especially through the first season has this attitude that he is nobody without his magic, and my cap of choice shows him, unarmed, vulnerable, and that is how it connects altogether. I used mute colours to kind of show more vulnerability and some sort of childish innocence he still has in Season 1.
9. ~ To Build A Home - Merlin/Merlin's Mother ~ I was inspired by the title, and given the title and the screencapture, I didn't need to focus much on the lyrics itself, even if I had listened to the song plenty of times. I don't think there is much explanation needed for this icon, still: Merlin loves her mother dearly, and that is completely mutual that is why she trusts Gaius with looking after her beloved special son. I used bold colours and some crazy textures to emphasize the radiance of their love. In my head it works out.
10. ~ We Don't Bleed - Arthur/Gwen ~ "...and the lights are coming down, I will kiss you in your sleep." Their affection starts to blossom in Season 1, and their love is forbidden, but when the night and silence falls, the Prince can sneak off to his beloved Gwen. That does not exactly happen in the show, but that is how I imagine a man in love would behave towards the maiden of his heart. I used a soft, gentle mute colour, because it fits them.
11. ~ The Pursuit of Happiness - Morgana ~ "...I'm on the pursuit of happiness and I know everything that shine ain't always gonna be gold." Yes, that is her. She is constantly looking to find herself, her purpose, she doesn't understand her dreams, she is afraid and scared, but she is looking for that ray of light and hope, with the knowledge of the cold reality. I used some crazy colouring and textures to emphasize her journey. And her hair is epic.
12. ~ Who You Are - Merlin ~ Once more, I focused on the title and the essence of Merlin, his magic. I used a screencapture for when he is rushing to save Arthur with a wizarding staff in his hands. Pretty much shows he has magic and that he is a really devoted, loyal character, and that is who he is: a loyal, kind-hearted warlock. I used greenish tones, because I noticed that I pretty much went with mostly warm colours and I didn't want the whole batch to be a sprinkle of shades of purples, violets, yellows and soft muted colours. Besides green totally fits the outside scenarios.
13. ~ Ships In The Night - Merlin ~ "...we're just wasting time...,trying to find the light." Those are just bits of the lyrics, that I thought fitted Merlin. He sometimes totally thinks he is wasting time with Arthur and his "destiny", and he is constantly trying to find a solution, yet the Light and all the answers are within him. :)
14. ~ The Fear You Won't Fall - Merlin/Morgana ~ "...I miss you more than I should, that I thought I could... I can't get my mind off of you." Yes! That is the relationship they have in my head, love and all the things that come with love: affection, passion, and a longing to linger more and more in each other's presence. I ended up blending them together, it is kind of a darker mood this icon has because of their expression, they go so well together though: the longing of Morgana and the cold reality hitting Merlin, that he is way below her social status. Poor doomed darlings. I used a new colouring on the whole batch I invented for myself, and on this icon it is an interesting combination.
15. ~ Breathe Me - Morgana ~ "...Be my friend, hold me, wrap me up, unfold me...and breathe me." I think those bits pretty much describe her vulnerability and her constant need for gentleness. The Season 1 Morgana is in constant search of justice and love. That is how I see her then. I used a very soft colouring and a close cropping to emphasize her sort of innocence, that is going through a constant break through each and every episode and that leads up to who she is recently in Season 4, but I cannot restrain myself from hoping for her to find her Light and Kindness again, but that pretty much seems to be a major lost cause... with all the evil smirks and kills.
16. ~ Damien Rice - The Blower's Daughter - Merlin/Morgana ~ "...I can't take my eyes off of you, I can't take my mind off ofyou." Well it is true. Merlin kind of can't take his eyes off of Morgana in a couple of Season 1 episodes. ♥ And Morgana is kind of attracted to him too, even if she tries to hide it. ;) I can totally see through them! The icon started out completely different, but I ended up playing with "offset" and cutted parts and made them a lot smaller, as their chances together are not major, or none at all, and I am the kind of person who loves to analyze everything, even things that are not really there. I left the colours vibrant on Morgana and muted the rest of the icon, because that is the sort of feel their ship has. Merlin, unable to show affection, but thinks of her so vibrantly and fondly and Morgana who is above him in a social status, cannot notice, (even if she does. ;)) that Merlin is fond of her. This sounds better in my head guys.
17. ~ Damien Rice - Unplayed Piano - Merlin ~ "...I've got nothing to hide, I've done nothing wrong." All Merlin does is saving Camelot, Uther, Arthur... basically everyone, day after day, week after week... etc. He does nothing wrong at all, yet he had to hide who he really is. I love this icon, and I cannot explain much of this. I did it this way to show how he deeply cares about people and destiny, yet he is hurt.
18. ~ Damien Rice - 9 Crimes - Morgana ~ "...it's the wrong time, it's a small crime, and I've got no excuse." Dear Morgana, it is definitely the wrong time for you to stick up for magic, when Uther is so against it, but I appreciate your sense of justice! You could totally have joined Merlin on his quest and together help Arthur. ♥ Oh yes, my shipper mind wanders away while I am writing this. I was basically inspired by the words: crime, hide, wrong, and I knew that I wanted to make an icon with Morgana in the dungeons. Even there she is breath-taking and has an attitude. That's my girl.
19. ~ Damien Rice - Rootless Tree - Merlin/Morgana ~ "...what I want from us, is empty our minds..." I was inspired to go Merlin/Morgana once more, as I love them so much together, but I guess that is kind of more than obvious right now. I went with a soft muted theme, a fancy vintage border and the essential text. I don't have much more to say about the icon.
20. ~ Damien Rice - Volcano - Morgana ~ "...what I am to you is not real." I originally made a different version of this icon for the song "The Pursuit of Happiness", but I decided it was too red and it didn't fit, and when I finally gathered my artist choice songs and decided on Damien Rice, I knew that that icon would be yet useful for one of the songs. I played with it some more, erased a lot of red and gave it some sort of noisy/brushy feel and added the essential inspirational line. The icon has a darker feel, and I kind of associate this with her being a witch and what people see is not real. That can be interpreted in many ways. I basically think that her evil side that developed later is not real, it is all a mask reinforced by grief, sorrow and a lot of anger.
Alternative:
[21]
Just a single one, but I didn't want not to post it. I like this too, not as much as the other one, so that is why this is the alternative.
Phew this took me a lot of time to make, upload and write, so enjoy!
Also, don't forget to check out the charity event, where I am offering a a set of 10 icons and a set of 15 icon textures, along many other even more talented people! If you want I can change the icon auction to another texture auction, or simply add another one. I don't mind, it is for a really good cause!
Take care of yourselves,
with love,
Lex