Our Favorite 'Angel'

I was just talking (to myself) about the problem artist have with Leroux!Erik's canonical facial traits: The eyes. (It's my biggest problem too, among many technical problems that come from being a sad sad amateur :-- )
It's clear from Christine's description about Erik that even if one were to stand right before our Opera Ghost, no eyes would be seen. Just black holes, and a ghastly yellow glint in the dark.
The thing is, many artists shy away from this, especially if they draw the Phantom a lot, since it makes him so much more... expressionless (perhaps somewhat more boring to draw?). Also more deathlike. Less human. It is so much more tempting to take the description and think that it referred to Christine witnessing sunken eyes in the darkness of the lair (– but there's a fault to this logic since his eyes are supposed to glow in the dark) and draw him that much more human and relatable (which I understand and relate with since most of the time Phanartists are huge Erik fans, too ).
But the thing is, if Erik weren't terrifying to look at (tbh, I don't find him terrifying but I guess it's different if you live in Edwardian times in France and believe in angels and demons and also are not terribly obsessed with all of this character/ almost get crushed by a chandelier), the story wouldn't have been. And if Erik had had eyes, his emotions would've been easier to read, his pain more evident and approachable to people, and perhaps that would've ignited pity or even understanding (since undoubtedly Erik's eyes would have been quite soulful). I cannot find a terrifying adaptation of Erik with eyes. They give out too much of his torment and battle between insanity and a quest for beauty. In the book those traits are whispered and distorted – unreachable to the human eyes. Christine and The Persian are the people who've learned or learn to guess at those secrets where as most – for example Raoul – only see the Monster, his figure. 

I think you did a fantastic job. He looks alive and quite natural, although otherworldly and "ugly" (although I don't like to use that word). It comes close to what I saw in my mind as I read the book. I would love to see this colourised. 
(Also, I have a Phantom of the Opera tumblr [url: brought-to-you-by-mans-hatred] and I was wondering if I could ask for the permission to repost this, with clear credit and links to your deviantart or whichever profiles of yours you wish. I just kind of got addicted to staring at this and I think many Phans would too )

//Edit, I found your colourised version. I love it, it's perfect and I would like to extend my wish to repost to that, too.