Step 1: Tying down the figure's pose.
Step 2: Color Composition. I'm still experimenting with background.
Step 3: Less lava. I originally thought of this character dwelling underwater but that never was clear in the color comp. So I added more smoke and bubbles as well as an overall shade of blue in the painting (minus the hot spots). Reflective light in its cave and a view of the surface to give the painting some blue.
Step 4: Ditch the grey's. At the request of my teacher I add more color to the painting. I'd say this would be a more realized version of my original color comp.
Step 5: Blocking out the light shapes on the smoke/walls/island etc. Desaturated the cave walls to make the character the focal point.
Step 6: Added a solid wall shape in orange.
Step 7: Desaturate the walls. Get rid of that Orange. Subtle details on the cave walls. I give the character some solid features but am still not happy...
Step 8: More smoke shapes to give it some texture. Ambient details in the background and foreground. The floor is intensified.
Step 9: Rock skin! Gave the character some rock like features as well as a rocky texture. Painted in smoke flowing into the cracks as a last touch. Satisfied for now.
