Princesa by @velvetangel (Dara North)
This illustration had no forethought. I started rough sketching the profile in cartoonish style, and somewhere along the way I decided to try pseudo-realistic.
Originally, I was going to leave it as the woman in profile; no jewelry, no sleeve. Just a redhead, with a not-quite-smile on her lips, baring her shoulder. Then my fantasist proclivities gripped me.
She ought to be a princesa, I thought. Why? Because it sounded cool, I guess. While I don't consider my effort entirely successful--what story does this illustration really tell?--I'm happy with the overall technique. Artwork © Copyright 2003 Dara North
I like this one, The pale skin with really stands out well and the detail in the hair is fantastic. The jewellery has a satisfying solid feel to it and you’ve captured a great ambiguous expression that leaves the onlooker wondering what she might be thinking… Good work!
-Kaine-