The Mystic [WIP]

It's a work in progress. I still have a lot of detail to work out..

I'm trying out some new techniques on this one. I used a single grayscale layer to coordinate all the values and then used gradient maps for the main colors. I used the pen tool for almost all of the curved lines. Also, this painting is much bigger than my previous ones. It's big enough to make a print 11.5 x 14" [the same size as the pencil drawing] at 300 dpi, so maybe I'll make a print for myself when I consider it finished..

I'm trying to guide myself toward a more realistic style. I should probably do more studies and still life paintings to get the textures and lighting effects right [and things like hair].. I would describe myself as an amateur perfectionist artist. So as I pursue a realistic style, it means that I spend a lot of time on each piece. And this character in particular is supposed to have an extreme degree of grace and beauty, which means I'm spending even more time on this thing trying to get everything perfect.. Anyway, I hope you like it. I consider it a big leap forward in my progress.

You might have noticed that this is my third painting of this character, and I have several other characters that haven't been painted yet. I promise you it's pure coincidence.

Main photo reference

Stock credits:
background: [link]
butterfly: [link]

Photoshop CS6 and Wacom Intuos4.
Comments are appreciated!