Chapter Text
Charlie set down his brushes with a big exhale as Stephen announced "Artists, your time is up."
"Put down your materials and step away from your easels," said Joan, her polished voice easily carrying through the museum foyer.
Charlie looked critically at his painting of Daniel Radcliffe. Once he had gotten over the shock of the famous sitter, he found the angular jawline and piercing blue eyes suited his slightly abstracted grayscale style. He'd even picked a bright blue underpainting today based on the lighting of the space and the background. He was very happy with the jaw and nose, but didn't quite think he'd captured the mystery of the eyebrows. It still exuded a calm yet intense focus that he was very happy with. He'd been a great sitter, maintaining a pose and expression between occasional bits of banter with the artists. More than any of the sitters so far, he had an intense presence, a sense of awareness of exactly who he was and the people around him.
As all the artists cleaned brushes and tidied up their stations, Charlie looked around. The hosts were talking to Daniel as he stood and stretched after his surprisingly physical task of sitting still for four hours. Charlie overheard Daniel telling Kate that apparently he hadn't taken any peeks during the breaks, so the reveal would be a total surprise. Charlie was a fairly fastidious painter, keeping everything organized and aligned as he worked. He also only had a few tubes out, preferring to mix his grays on the fly from titanium white and Paris black, only occasionally coming in with colored highlights. The producers checked in to make sure everyone was ready for the reveals.
"All right, artists," said Joan. "Please turn your easels." Charlie took a deep breath and turned his easel around as everyone else did.
"Wow. Just wow," said Daniel. "There's so many different styles. It's a bit disconcerting to be looking at myself in so many different ways at once. Well done, all of you."
He walked along the line of easels, giving feedback as he looked at each painting. At Elle's painting, he commented on how well she had captured his eyebrows. "I do have quite enigmatic eyebrows, I've been told." Elle was a realistic watercolorist, but Charlie was impressed by how well she had captured the dark, wavy hair and the crooked shadows of the slightly furrowed brow. Then, Daniel Radcliffe was standing right next to Charlie Spring and he wasn't sure he remembered how to breathe.
"Your style is fascinating. I really like how you've really focused the color in my eyes but there are also traces of it in the shadows. Every time I look at it, I find something new to look at. It's my face, but also somehow more than that."
"Thank you," said Charlie automatically. Even when his brain was short circuiting, he usually managed to be polite. Years of conditioning, he guessed.
After talking to the last artist, Daniel went back to stand by Stephen. "So, Daniel, which one of these paintings do you want to take home with you?"
"There are some astonishing pieces here, and I'm honored to have seen them all. But the one that I think I can look at every day and still find more to see is that one." Daniel pointed at Charlie's painting. Everyone clapped as he came over to shake Charlie's hand, leaving him flabbergasted.
Everyone was shuffled outside while the judges deliberated for a cup of tea and the obligatory conversations with the cameraman. "There's some really good stuff there- I don't have my hopes too high," said Charlie to the interviewer. "I really hope Elle makes it. Her work was really exceptional today."
Elle came over after her interview to hug Charlie. "Oh my God, Charlie! Your painting is going to be in his house! Ahh!"
Charlie grinned. "But you captured his enigmatic eyebrows! You got a much better likeness than I did. I think Tai and Kathleen are going to really go for yours."
"But you know Kate is a sucker for a modern interpretation! And didn't Tai come over and tell you the way you were applying paint was, I quote, yummy?"
"Sure, but that doesn't mean anything," said Charlie shrugged. "It's out of our hands at this point."
Tea consumed and snacks eaten, and the judge's decisions apparently made, the producers herded everyone back into the gallery. They were directed at tape marks on the floor, the lights and cameras staged for the announcement to come.
Joan spoke first. "Thank you all for sharing your paintings with us today. Every one of you is an exceptionally talented artist and you have all done a fantastic job."
Stephen stepped forward. "Unfortunately, only three of you can go through to the final, and the judges have made their decision. The artists they have chosen displayed courage, curiosity and above all, a deep sense of the sitter's energy. The first of those finalists is… Elle Argent."
Elle reached over and grabbed Charlie's hands, squealing, before politely bowing.
"And the second finalist is… Keith Smith," announced Joan to polite applause and nodding. Keith was a very classical oil painter, his version of Daniel making him look like he had just stepped out of the 17th century in modern clothes.
"And the third finalist," said Stephen, "is Charlie Spring." Elle gave him a huge hug as he stared dumbfounded at the presenters.
"You did it!" she said, clapping enthusiastically.
"Congratulations to our finalists and commiserations to the rest. You have worked hard, and we enjoyed watching you work," said Joan.
After allowing a few rounds of congratulations, the camera people herded the three finalists over to film their final interviews.
"I am just… overwhelmed?" Charlie heard himself say. "One of my paintings is going to be in Daniel Radcliffe's house? How is this happening?"
"How does it feel to be the only amateur heading into the finals?" asked Stephen.
"I can't even think about the finals yet," he said, shaking his head. "I'm still just in shock about today."
Charlie found himself fidgeting with his hair. He usually did when he was nervous, and as a side effect, typically had at least two colors of paint in his dark curls at all times. It wasn't so bad when he worked in acrylics, but getting oil paints out was a real pain. It was part of why he had made the switch. That, and inadequate ventilation in his apartment to feel safe with turpentine.
With all the post interviews done, the crew started breaking down the lights. The producers ushered the three finalists into a side room to discuss the next phase of the competition.
"So the final comes in two parts - we will have all three of you painting the same sitter over six hours, as well as arranging for each of you to work with a specific sitter over the next three weeks to give you time to show us what you can achieve beyond the time limits of the format. As you probably know from watching the show, you'll work with your individual sitter first before the group day, so that all of the work can be judged at one time. You will find out your sitter in advance, but not today. Your packet has the schedule details. Any questions? None? Good," they said briskly, leaving no actual time for questions.
Charlie and Elle looked at each other and burst out laughing. "What's so funny?" asked Keith.
"Elle dared me to enter, and I only agreed to enter if she did," said Charlie.
"And somehow we're both in the finals!" said Elle.
Keith smiled. "Well, congratulations to you both. I've really loved both of your paintings and I have no idea how they're going to make a decision. We have such different styles!"
"Totally!" said Elle. "But that's the fun of something like this - you really get to see how wide art can really be."
"Is there anyone you're hoping to get for your sitter?" asked Keith.
"As long as it's not a sports lad, I'm happy," said Charlie. "I don't have a great history with jocks."
"Nerdy type?"
"Gay nerd at that," sighed Charlie. Keith nodded, understanding, as Elle gave Charlie a side hug.
"Well, best of luck to you both. I'm knackered!" Keith waved as he walked away. Elle's home buzzed as her boyfriend Tao texted.
"He's out front with the car. Ready to go?" asked Elle.
"I could sleep for a week," said Charlie, yawning."
"Unfortunately, looks like our next call time is bright and early Monday, so you've got one day to laze around before we have to do the next big thing," said Elle.
"Is it too late to back out?" asked Charlie. Elle teasingly punched him.
"Way too late!"