Painting process: Saya

Here's a bit of an insight on my painting process. This piece was done a bit differently since the piece's due date was very very short. 

The client and I first agreed on a final thumbnail (this time, we ended up merging two for the final image)

First day of painting- normally I would lay down a wash of color to keep everything in the same tone, and then block in shadows with the same color, but I was too impatient, and wanted to dive right into those reds.

 Day two- my first intention was to keep her skin white, but oy that did not work out at all. Finally added my color wash (yellow ocra this time around)

Day three- due day. Placed in high lights, and had fun with gold leaf. Gold leaf is tricky mistress. It never goes where I intend for it to. 

Because this will be used for a play mat, I had to scan it in, and do some doctoring in photoshop.