Yes Boykinov you nailed it. I got some fresh air yesterday.
I am indeed trying something different that I will be posting for feedback today. 
I probably will do more with this character later on after the competition so its good t have these extra sketches around for inspiration in any case.
Thanks everyone. I’m making my rounds through you alls threads today for updates too.
Wow these are awesome! Your sketches give me a weird magical story book feeling… I really love your style.
Looking forward to seeing more…
After some needed rest and meditation my head is clear. Your feedback, especially yours, Boykinov help me realize I lost track of what I was trying to convey. I lost the magic of her and her environment. So…
I’m bringing it back to soil and finding a sanctum to escape to like the wounded might during this conflict. Some place hidden away to take time for rest and recovery. A place I would like to go actually. But enough cheese and personal things, I am having to make up for lost time now, but I know I can make it. Here is my direction in rough sketch.
Some slight changes but nothing steps away from the driad concept in general. I’m cleaning up my 3 poses now and should have everything closing in. The rendering process seems to go a lot faster now for some reason so I won’t concern myself too much about it.
Oh, and thanks Soggy, its where most of my inspiration comes from so I am happy you feel that way.
My second choice isn’t as dynamic as the first, but I feel it conveys what I feel much better than it ever did. So, I’m moving forward. Center compositions are tough because it generally weakens the central image and makes things boring so I hope to fix this come time to add additional elements like foliage. This clean version is very busy and some things don’t stick out, but my coloring process should help as I go. Ill be posting a few as I paint. I don’t think I’ve posted one of my processes before.
First is the clear drawing. I then add a base with a quick big airbrush for mood, lighting direction and any other nuances. I paint on a single layer on top of my sketch, the underlying color is on the background. So, almost every time I work its:
bg color > sketch > paint
Eventually the paint layer will cover completely the bottom two layers.
Hey there Kelley, I’m really new to using photoshop etc to colour illustrations , and would just like to thank you for posting some of the different stages you have gone through, its really helpful for novices like me!
Hi Kelley,
I like the design of your imagination in paper a lot! the magic its there for sure! Thats difficult to see sometimes with so many styles …this don’t happen to you! Congratulation on that good taste, as for your character I simply love her! 
Also the composition read very beatifull, and her history behind looks there 2! My only concern for now will be the look of her a bit close, and it will be interesting to see just a glance of her “soul”, maybe not directly to the camera or viewer but to the greatness of nature witch she represents. And I also liked the flipped post before; dont know if you are going to leave that side?:rolleyes:
Really Gorgeous work and looking forward to more updates !
oh man that hand on the first post is awesome! just turn that in as a hand monster and youll win! im so i love with it haha teach me how to paint!
your final comp is lookin nice, but the only thing im worried about is the lights behind the tree are brighter then anything on your character and takes the focus off of her.
hey, nice stuff, just found your work browsing around but its really nice, will subscribe and keep an eye out.
Hanging in there. I’ve been unintentionally reclusive again. Thanks for all of the crits and comments everyone. I am not ignoring I swear. Im sure my direction has its drawbacks in her design I think is over my head and a lot to take in without a true close shot of her. But I love her though, for myself at least. If I could paint my personality; firm, hidden, but a kind and nurturing respect for all things… then I guess it would be her. Haha sap. Not an end to this work, but just about. I bite my tail on this tomorrow or day after.
If the quality of these are shoddy, its because these are not optimized images. Only captured. Optimized on final post. Don’t need to have your comps dragging ass now eh?
Hello Kelley
I really like how you character rise after each post.
Why dont you try to put some green tones in the background to make a difference between character and environment?
For me you work is my favorite one
Best regards!
Hi Kelley,
She’s looking radiant in that water and wood environment, I agree about the suggestion of adding green for the bg , and also the fishes are looking same skin tone as her is it to represent an extension out if her power? or to unify better the color palette, anyways I am loving every step of this wip, very much magical as you pointed to desiring for her!:drool:
Thanks guys. Okay. =) I shall vary it up a bit. Yes, the fish is intentionally the same color as well so Im not sure what I can do about that yet.
Hey Kelley, great image and like a lot the atmosphere on it, cool 
Perhaps the fish jumping out of the water ( like on your sketch) … mmmm more a wish than a critic Again, great work and cant wait too see your image finished. Cheers!!
