Hey thanks so much! I really appreciate you taking the time. Fingers crossed & 1 1/2 days to go before the challenge finishes for Austria.
Really hope some other people here get inspired to submit for their world regions too.

This is the current status! Someone got a spare minute? Please click the link above and show your support with a vote. 🙂 (also possible to vote more than once)0_1493880162882_image.jpg

thanks @Laurie . yes, struggle is the word.
Looking back, I'm sure I have improved over the last year but it's still so painful for me to color an illustration
Here it is tonight. I'm going to let it sit for a day now and look at it with fresh eyes later, but I'm not too displeased with the result so far (I'm saying this now and I could hate it in 2 days ^_^ )
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@DOTTYP thanks so much! I used the watercolor textures from the mixed media class. And worked with a watercolor brush from Lee White's custom brushes class.

@mattramsey Thank you, Matt! I'll let him know 🙂

@Jake-Parker Thanks for the comments — I can't tell you how pivotal SVS and especially your Youtube posts have been. So much of the fight artistically is psychological. I'm definitely going to be doing more of these, I want to experiment with more techniques and rendering styles; all quick and dirty brush, tight penwork, and mixing up some of the Robert Valley technique with zip-a-tone using the new Kyle Webster Halftone brushes.

I'm still amazed how far tools have come, in another life and a decade + ago I used to draw ashcan comics. Buying those zip-a-tone stickers were expensive!

Done
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@Tyson-Ranes Thanks for the encouraging words! I have a Twitch Channel and a YouTube Channel, but I haven't really figured out a regular schedule yet... or what videos from me might look like.

@Jake-Parker Thank you Jake. 🙂 The idea was that the cape would have a liquid/flowing feel to it to remind the viewer of blood, the author liked it, so I will consider it a success.

@kimchizerbe Thanks! You should check out his book if you haven't yet. It is adorable.

@evilrobot Your lines are great!

@Sarah-LuAnn Yes they are, usually I illustrate for children, But as I worked on these I thought I might make a series like these, perhaps its a style fitting for magazines etc. Thanks for the tip, I'll change that!

@andyjewett - really like the character design, line work style and the color choices most of all. This is really great work!

@drawingmelee @eleArts Thanks for the feedback. I will play with the colors, good idea. There will be many more animals in that illustration. I guess I will make a final decision when they are all there to keep the harmony colorwise.

@Jana
Supercute!

Looking good! 🙂

If you are hoping for the child reader to discover and grasp the message on their own that would require them being able to read.

My seven year old just this school year has not only learned to read but has become a varacious reader (which I love!) but ideally I would think being able to reach younger children through their parents reading the story as well as being able to reach that young reader... and even the parents themselves would be the ultimate goal.

What a great topic of discussion ... how do we hit everyone in some way, even while we are focusing more on one particular age group?

I know I'm rambling... hopefully some of it makes sense

@Jana I think it's still too stiff, the shapes are even rounds, and the wings are the same. I'd still work on making it a little more of an organic shape. The bush strokes look a lot nicer on this one. 🙂

I really like these illustrations.

I've also wondered the same thing about posting book projects on social media. I would imagine sharing final illustrations would be okay if you plan on self publishing, but have no idea what a potential publisher or agent would think about it. I look forward to seeing what others think on the subject!

@ShereeNorthrup Thank you!