CGAN Zodiac Challenge - Libra - WIPs

Thank you, Thomgirl and Dave. Some excellent observations there.
The cutout doll comment is very accurate and is something that was bothering me. I usually like painting on just one layer but the other day I decided to change the background so I had to literally "cut out" the figure using the lasso, magic wand and a bit of channel selection, so that I could try out some different backgrounds and colour-correct the skin. Sadly this always wreaks havoc with my edges and the layers end up looking like a series of flat, separated cutouts.
I know from magazine tutorials that professional people often use hundreds of layers and I understand why, considering the way you can manipulate so many different things, but for me and for this pic I can't wait to get the background finished so that I can flatten it again and follow up on all the things you suggested.

Did a bit more work today on the background but I still haven't flattened it yet. I've put some stars in but I've yet to do the bright Libra constellation (but you can probably tell where they're going be) and I want to add some more detailed clouds at the bottom to emphasize that curving atmosphere effect. Then I'll be ready to sort out the edges and lighting on the figure. The cascade from the hands is currently a placeholder effect to let me see what it'll look like. In the end I want it to be some kind of glittery, sparkly, shiny ...erm... stuff.

Loving this Val - it really looks like you've taken another leap forward with your technique. I'm hoping it only looks that way or my tortoise like pace of improvement now appears to have stalled alongside yours.
The musculature looks more refined than in your previous piece and that background is head and shoulders above your previous one too. Really beautiful stuff!

Atto wrote: it really looks like you've taken another leap forward with your technique.

I wish, but sadly no. It's just inconsistency really. Sometimes things work, other times they don't. And depending on the order in which that happens it can look like either hopeful progress or terrible deterioration. And more often it's the latter.

Still no other entries? Time's running out. *checks calendar*
I was gonna post my final today but right at the last moment I noticed a bit of an error regarding the position of the belly-button (fractionally too high methinks.) So I'll have one last tweak on Monday and THEN post it. The last few sessions have been a lot of work without any visible improvement so I think it's about time to call it done. But only after my final fiddle..

Hey Val... this might seem... weird to mention... but I just noticed her, um... lack genital detail. Just a thought

I doubt I'm going to get anything done in time. I haven't even sketched out my idea, so you might be alone in this, which makes me sad. You need some competition, bro!

Val, agree with what Thomgirl about the anatomy part of her, can I reference the move 'snatch' on this one... It looks a bit clunky, also looks like there's a scary face on her right knee, which is sort of funny

As far as the positives, you've got a great image here The background nebula looks really vibrant and interesting, the rest of her anatomy looks good. I like her expression of serenity really goes with the bleek, giniourmity of space. I wish I could of jumped into this one, but like Thomgirl no way to finish in time, although you would win anyway so it'll still be fair.

Don't worry, I've already covered the ...erm.. "special parts" by extending the hair downwards. That was always the intention for when I'd flattened the pic so I didn't bother with detail. In the interest of modesty I also considered covering the nipple with a lens flare from the nearby bright star but it looked very contrived indeed. So that flash of flesh is gonna stay in.
And doesn't everybody's knee have a scary face? No? Oh, just me then.

Yeah, gotta second Micro on the Nebula work, it's very well done.

I would have a look at her left foot. The big toe is shorter than all the other toes which looks odd. Also the transition from the shin into the foot is awkward. It almost looks as if you started painting a right foot and then realised it was meant to be a left foot instead and tried to alter it. Not that anyone is actually looking at her feet .

Cheers, Banj.
I think the problem in both cases is a foreshortening issue (was trying to make the big toe look raised rather than short) and the ankle is a little fat.
At the moment I'm trying to introduce some aurora at the bottom so after that I'll have another look at the foot ... and that scary knee.
I was hoping to have this done by last Friday but it seems like I'm going right to the last day with it. I think deadlines must be magnetic or something. I find myself drawn to their limits no matter how hard I try.