Whilst trying to figure out what to do with a request, I started making a manipulation--and I'm actually really proud of it.

Granted, I seriously should start doing stuff other than manips (like my contest entry and request, but...)

This is inspired by an artist known as Carlos Quevedo, but lets face it, my work should not even be mentioned in the same category as that man's godlike pieces. Here's the link to his Deviantart profile for those of you who want to see his work-- https://carlos-quevedo.deviantart.com/

Anyway, here goes!

Before:

After:

Story time! This is yet another piece based off of Icarus. The wings represent her 'real' wings, which she lost, and she's looking into the sky in longing because she wants to fly again. I chose orange, because I'm sincerely trying to do something...well, not blue XD. I spent at least four hours on this, repainting the skin, adding makeup (which, by the way, is inspired by Black Swan), painting pieces of the headpiece so that it merged, using shadow and dodge to highlight certain parts and darken others. And of course, I used a hair PNG along with multiple hair brushes to draw her hair. 

All and all, not bad, I think? Any advice?

P.s, I need a tablet. Damn man, drawing with a mouse is harddddd.