#saentiel

Some tales Bartimaeus told many times and yet they did not loose their magic, Ptolemy’s face would crumple into laughter. And in those moments, though few, Ptolemy was no longer a magician, but just a boy.

Just a boy who wanted nothing more than to have fun. To have fun and explore the world.

That was the true essence of Ptolemy and such was the rarity of his laughter that these were the memories Bartimaeus held most dear. He feared that he would loose them one day. Whether time would consume them or The Other Place whisk them away he did not know.

But for now he could remember Ptolmey’s smile as clear as the day he had seen it. He could still hear his laughter with such clarity.

Sometimes if he thought hard enough he could almost be back there. Standing atop an ancient building telling some silly tale, as the boy he had grown to love threw back his head and laughed into the clear blue sky.

This is my Secret Santa gift for @saentiel ! Hope you like the finished result and Merry Christmas to you! Sorry it took a little while to finish - I had a bit of trouble with Ptol’s mouth as I haven’t really drawn a side-on view of people laughing before! Nevertheless I’m very pleased with the result!

I decided to do a different take on Bartimaeus’ lapwing form. I thought that at some points Bart must’ve taken on a half-human, half-lapwing form. I mean, Bart’s always been one for aesthetic. (His lower legs are bright pink as he has a Lapwing’s lower legs and feet - and they have bright pink legs!)

Lapwings are gorgeous birds but a bit of a challenge to paint surprisingly! In any case it was an absolute joy to draw and paint this!