I’ve decided to create a rather self-indulgent series of rec lists (with fic, art, podfic, fanmixes etc.) related to various facets of the art world. We’ll start with the more typical take on it - Artist!Harry and Artist!Draco - and spin out to antiques & houses & galleries & fashion & wandmaking & music and more. I welcome chat in my inbox! Rec me something I missed, exclaim about your favs... I’d love to hear your thoughts.
ART + DRARRY RECS: ARTIST!HARRY
Many of these gorgeous pieces use Harry’s art as a way for him to heal or to find a path outside of the Aurors. Making (in whatever form) is also often a way for Harry to reconnect with Draco (or to connect in the first place). Enjoy!
[Fic + Podfic] Turn fic by Saras_girl, podfic by @mab-speaks / Queenie_Mab 2013 | E | 307k
One good turn always deserves another. Apparently.
★ A classic Drarry fic by the classic Saras_girl featuring a romantic, emotional, and powerful story about finding oneself (again & again) in the world of his own making. Plus, Mab brings new life to the gorgeous prose in the podfic with a lovely storyteller’s tone. ★
[Fic + Art + Fanmix] The Boy and the Sleeping Prince fic by @writcraft, art by @phoenixacid 2015 | E | 27k/Illustration
Harry is miserable and tired of being an Auror, coasting through life until he’s forced to make some changes. Spurred on by his passion for drawing and working with best-selling author Draco Malfoy, Harry develops a charm which gives children a magical, interactive reading experience. But when it’s time to test the spell, the two men find themselves trapped in a nightmarish fairy tale world. Can they escape unscathed, or is Draco right in his assertions that there is no such thing as a happily ever after?
★ This fic is so unusual! Featuring illustrator!Harry and writer!Draco tumbling into a surrealistic and dramatic world, a fairytale of their own making. The worldbuilding in this fic is incredibly immersive in terrifying and beautiful ways, made visible and audible in the art and fanmix. PhoenixAcid’s illustrations are just stunning with incredible shading and depth. ★
[Fic] Solder by Oakstone730 2015 | E | 35k
Seven years ago, Harry disappeared out of Draco and Scorpius's life without a trace after Harry's addictions destroyed his and Draco's marriage. Now, Harry’s back, and Draco wants to believe he’s changed. But Harry isn’t the only one haunted by the past.
★ Though this fic deals with the challenging weight of Harry’s potions addiction, it is set years into his recovery and is all about rebuilding, reconnecting and regaining trust (all of which take work and care, which this fic shows with love). The descriptions of the art in this fic makes my heart yearn for more stained glass in my life! ★
[Art] Second Chances by @celilasart / LLAP115 2017 | G | Comic
The painter Irah Raindrop has conquered the Wizarding art world by storm, but no one knows who is hiding behind this pseudonym. Draco Malfoy is one of Irah's biggest fans and a serious art collector who doesn't miss a single exhibition of Irah's art. This time, he dragged Pansy to the grand opening of Irah's latest exhibition in Paris.
★ A gorgeous comic with a striking collector!Draco, Pansy in a red dress, a little cafe, and a mysterious reunion in the city of love. The expressions in this are gorgeously dynamic. ★
[Fic] Tourist: A Love Song by xErised 2019 | T | 30k (cw for a potions overdose, untagged)
Harry is in New York City looking for inspiration for his next collection of paintings. He’s not expecting inspiration to appear in the form of a black-haired Draco Malfoy playing the guitar and singing with such a beautiful voice.
★ xErised uses Harry’s art as a way for him to see Draco with new eyes. Harry draws him from across the room, and in doing so, finds that he’s an entirely new person, and how gorgeous and powerful is this kind of sight? I loved exploring all my favorite parts of NYC with its doting resident, Draco. ★
[Fic] The Delicate Balance of Light and Shade by Nympha_Alba 2020 | E | 13k
With the war finally over, Harry tries to find his own path in a world where he is free to make his own choice. On a holiday in France, he unexpectedly falls in love with art and painting. Returning to Hogwarts to help rebuild it, he is paired up with Draco Malfoy to restore the Room of Requirement - and unexpectedly falls in love with Draco. When the rebuilding efforts are done, Harry disappears. Years later, Draco goes to Muggle London at Pansy's suggestion to visit an art gallery. The name of the Muggle artist is unknown to Draco, but the subject of the erotic paintings is shockingly familiar: it's Draco himself. It's time to confront the past and make some long-due confessions.
★ This fic feels like it has a heartbeat in the way that Nympha_Alba has constructed short, poignant scenes. Nympha’s descriptions of Harry’s work are stunning and so revealing about both Harry and Draco. ★
[Fic] The Way We Wind by @thesleepiesthufflepuff / BlueFay 2020 | E | 47k
After the war, Harry’s life falls to shambles. Each day revolves around an intense battle with his mental health, and there’s nothing that Ron or Hermione can do to help him. That is, until Hermione teaches Harry how to knit. Fast forward five years, and Harry is the proud owner of a renowned knitting shop in Diagon Alley, The Whomping Willow Woolery. Christmas season is upon him, and the shop is busier than ever. So, is it really a surprise that Draco Malfoy wanders in looking for a gift for his mother? Cue awkward meetings, fluffy knitting lessons, a truly horrible scarf, a cat named Stockinette who is readily obsessed with Draco, and falling in love with one’s worst enemy.
★ In the ultimate finding-healing-in-art fic, The Way We Wind weaves a romantic, emotional love story for two men whose lives are and have always been along the same thread. The perfect feel-good that will leave you wanting a warm knit jumper. ★
