For someone, this picture is long awaited. I can't tell you how long ago I started this picture, but it had to be a couple months, at least...

Anyway, this is DraaGul's character Trikoz Trek Emberspike of the Blazkul. Tending to him are select Blazlin who work in the roman-inspired baths to clean all the sand out of his scales and, otherwise, pamper him.

Gotta say I really do love how this came out, in the end. I got frustrated with it beyond belief at a few points, but I find it worth it. I especially like how the water came out after all my hopeless fiddling :)

A lot of building and environment practice in this. Perspective and sizing, as well. I actually 3D modeled this entire building in Google Sketchup to get an idea of how to draw it. You wouldn't believe how much it helped! The desert outside of that door I made almost by accident, too; forgot to adjust a brush's hardness but I liked how the accidental result was and kept it.

Also I adore gradient maps + soft light. Just absolutely adore them.