Thank you all again for your replies. I’ve worked a little more on the piece, using your suggestions. It’s still not perfect, but I feel I’ve learned a lot making it. Thanks again.

Wow, thanks for doing this! They’re all great - I’m glad I don’t have to decide!

Well done for getting work done with a baby about! I didn’t get much done until recently when my two started school! Love the leaf lion concept.

Love it! What a great concept!

@tessaw thank you for your comments. I’ve only started digitally painting recently, and was working hard to get the background and character lighting to match, so it means a lot. I’ve really been struggling with the rendering, as I intended to keep it simple and seem to have wandered from my original vision, which has confused it, and made it too fussy. Thank you for pointing this out! The darker coat and changing the edge of the coat/hand look great too. Love the glowing eyes! Thank you so much for your help and encouragement! I really appreciate it!

@jason-bowen thank you so much! And thanks for the paint over, I really appreciate it. Particularly thank you for the cool shadows on her, they really help. The background does help focus on her more, so I’ll consider changing it, or at least altering the focus. (And although unintentional, I quite like the ragged look of the feathers too!) Thanks again!

@art-of-b thank you so much for your reply! I was considering adding some birds to the background, in the distance, I suppose as though she is summoning them? I haven’t completely decided though. Thanks for the tips on darkening the shadows and adding cool reflected light. I will definitely give those a go!

Hello everyone!
I’m looking for some help with this piece I’m working on. I’m really stuck with how to move forward with it. Thank you!!

Wow, congratulations to all featured! Very worthy winners.

@pamela-fraley thank you so much! Means a lot as I absolutely love your work! (I follow you on Instagram. ) Fantastic piece from you for this contest too.