The rim lighting is difficult for me, and almost seems perfunctory. It’s a sort of cheap trick often used in comics. But it is also a really effective way to articulate form in shadow, which works for this sort of subject. Note that I’m not an expert at this, I’m learning it as an exercise, and this is only my second dedicated attempt to apply it.
I’ve also added patterns to the skin, and a rudimentary background (which the GIF animation botches) since last I updated. There’s still lots to do with the eyes, more lighting, depth of field blurring, and lots of persnickety final touches (especially defining the nostrils and teeth).
You might have noticed I flipped it. I think all digital painters with a bit of experience under their belts regularly flip their canvases back and forth. It helps see errors, and in the end it works both ways.
Incidentally, I think she’s gotten a bit more dangerous.
In the side-by-side comparison below I’ve added brighter details (subsequent to making the GIF animation above).
Below are previous stages I’ve shared.
~ Ends
Art & Crit by Eric Wayne 
fascinating and fun to see the stages leading to current image!
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Your image is looking really good. You have great patience to work on a digital image. I have the tools to work digital, but it just does not grab me. As far as using “tricks”; isn’t drawing/painting all about tricks. Even abstract art is full of tricks, and if I think about it that’s all abstract art really is.
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This is cool. What tools you are using?
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It’s 100% Photoshop.
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Outstanding
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Looks better and better. 🙂 On the thing about rim lighting. I agree that it’s a bit of a cheap trick to enhance a form in shadow. But it also is very effective and looks really nice. Just beware so it doesn’t become a habit that’s overused. We have to remember that rim lighting comes from an actual secondary lighting source. So if there really is none, don’t use it. And sometimes it looks more realistic to not have it. 😉
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Stunning sequencing, Eric! Amazing what each step, each type/style of detail does to enhance the image! And that it works (when applied the way you have) adding dark (lines) creating texture, or adding white (lines) creating relief. I know it’s way more than that, but it’s how simple contrasting enhances and brings out so much in an image. And believe me, I understand the difficulty of where and how much to apply, I struggle “very” much with this with my painting! Have tweeted your post! 😊
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Good work👍
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