Another "portrait" exercise.
Larger version here
I'd like to make some prints out of this, I think this would look nice as a poster. :)
Did a lot of experimenting with this, trying out different techniques and whatnot. I learned a few things, as well as trying to unlearn some bad habits. I'm really anal about getting "smoothness" but this time my brushstrokes were pretty sloppy (I think this has a lot to do with those speedpaints I had been doing). It smoothed out in the end after resizing. Whooh.
Zuko's hair drove me absolutely nuts. I had to redo his hair so many times, and I still couldn't get it right. The last time I drew him, he looked like a girl. Hopefully he looks more true to his original design this time around. >_< Azula drove me nuts too. On the other hand I had so much fun doing Ursa's swirly cloud-sleeves. It was relaxing and therapeutic in a way.
The color scheme didn't turn out the way I had imagined it, but then again, I think it turned out better than I had anticipated. I knew I wanted red to be the dominant color scheme and that there would be bits of gold-yellow and very dark brown (actually it looks more black...) peppered throughout, but the purple was accidental and unplanned. Initially the bg was supposed to be yellow, but I think it's better this way now because the little spots of yellow pop out/get emphasized more.
I'd like to draw a realistic Aang next, but that depends on time and other factors. After that, I think that'll be it for me.
And now, the doggie awaits for her bath. Wheee.