"BLOOM" Finished Painting

Hi peeps, 

How are you all?

I finally finished "Bloom".
As those of you who saw the colour comps I shared a few days ago, I steered away from the blue tone for the character in the end. That was partially intentional, and partially involuntary. I wanted muted tones for the skin, but I ended up being too intimidated by blue. I really want to explore that colour scheme for a character, but as this piece is my first painting since June, the risk was too paralysing, and I needed something a little more in my comfort zone.
This did not end up being my comfort zone at all anyway, and it was quite a challenge, partly because I was very stiff and out of practice (it's always amazing to me how much a small break can really affect my confidence and instincts), and partly because quite a few elements in this piece were inconspicuously difficult. 

For example, any composition where only part of the body is showing is complicated. It can easily look awkward or anatomically incorrect, even if it is correct, just because we don't usually see a person or character framed that way.
The hair was also difficult for me, as I don't tend to paint or draw hair much. I think I want to explore drawing hair in a very stylised way in the future, I like when it looks somewhat sculpted, and very 3D. But I need to learn how to paint hair better first.
And finally, the snake was obviously a challenge. Translucency isn't as hard an effect to paint as it looks, but that doesn't mean it isn't tricky, and I struggled with it for a while here. I am still not super happy with it, but I needed to stop working on it as I was definitely starting to go over the line of "too much".

I learned a ton from this piece, and worked away at it slowly, and gave myself time, which is exactly what I needed to get back into painting.

This piece will be the print for July, and I have started work o the August piece, and have a concept for September. Once I have painted all of them, I will be shipping all physical rewards, plus a couple extra goodies, to say sorry for being so late with rewards! 

I'll keep you in the loop while I paint the other pieces, and I will also have a little announcement regarding Inktober 2018 booklets soon, so keep your eyes peeled! 

Thanks for sticking with me and being so lovely, 

I hope you are all well,
Best, M