On a personal note :

I really wanted to come up with something that we could all relate to in some way.
The main highlight of this piece ... The Grim Angel ; she could be us in the real world, totally away from the crowd, trying to fight our own personal demons every single day. There are some of us who remain silent about it, while the rest of us confide in our friends and family.
The important is.... it's up to us to try and stay strong till the end... and eventually become our very own champion.

Technical info :

After a lot of experimentation .. i settled down for : 5165 x 5677 px
This gave me an option for a portrait crop as well, not worrying about revealing more of the artwork.

I used Photoshop CC 2015 and a mouse; years back, i had a wacom bamboo (old model) but gave it to a friend of mine since she was in need of it. On the other hand, i wasn't able to use it properly. Obviously, i needed a lot of practice. This also explains why i have so much trouble with my signature; i don't have a steady hand. But with a mouse, though it's hard work.... i'm able to control it better. So, for blocking shapes i use the pen tool, then hard / soft smudge brushes for fog, mist effects, specially to pull wispy shapes and thin strands.

Then, for the shading process, the "Adjustment layers" these guys rule big time!
"CURVES" , "LEVELS" , "COLOR BALANCE" etc ... they can completely change the look and feel of your artwork in so many ways.

For the first time in this piece, i used "FIELD BLUR". This allowed me to blur certain areas and keep the rest in focus.

Other than that ... endless, crazy hours of tweaking, taking advice from few of my friends and a mocha smoothie to keep me awake.

You've done an incredible job on your submission. And to think you did the whole thing with only a mouse is insane. Well done and best of luck in the voting.

@jogri Thank you so much! \m/ wishing you the all the luck as well! \m/
I was really scared that i wouldn't have been able to finish this. I'm very slow when it comes to working with the mouse. Usually i take two months .. maybe more to finish a painting properly. O_o This was seriously a challenge for me.

@johnnybillydobby Thanks a lot mate! All the best to you too!!

amazing artwork! and all with a mouse .. wow!
great you finished!! good luck!

Whoah this is amazing! I wish you the best of luck in the competition!

@katsu93
Thanks a million for your kind words :sunny: i always feel that i'm still in the learning process.. and that itself helps me go forward.

@Iago_Cavalcante :blush: i seriously don't know what to say :smiley: LOL .. even a simple yes is so lame XD but you know what .... i have the same exact reaction when i see the most realistic painting done with a simple paintbrush, on a single canvas.

A fine example, but mostly my top inspiration : http://www.helnwein.com/works/
Just see his paintings ... you'll know why i'm so obsessed with detail(s).

There are few/many people who enjoy painting on a single photoshop layer. Their works will blow anyone out of the water.
That's my driving force.

@maxloegler :
MADMAX heheee XD
Seriously bro ..... I hope you win !!!

As for me .... last few hours ... i just shut down all stupid thoughts about the many elements that had to be covered. I just jumped from one task to the next.

@nesokaiyoh
I thank you immensely >: hugs :< wishing you all the luck as well

@berrysquare
Thank you my friend >:D< This challenge taught me one of many things in particular ... MULTITASKING. And i hope i make better artworks in the future.

All the best to you too ! I'm waiting for your entry!!!!!

It's you isn't? From the legends they tell, the oldest tale of photoshopia, a far magic land of the greatest masters?

You all drink tea and draw with a mouse there, you and Craig Mullins.

HEHE :smile:
That made me happy <3
Craig Mullins is AMAZZIING!!!! I love "BROM" too
http://www.bromart.com/ - these guys are on another level. I'm very much inspired by them.

OMG .. TEA <3 desperate for a nice fruit fusion brew. I ran out of it ... Will definitely visit my fav store this weekend and just splurge. _

By the way ... is that your kitty?? .. i have 17 cats at home @_@ .. it's a nightmare.

Thank you so much Marcin \m/
Been totally in the mood for dark art. Maybe the next one will be way darker but with heart.

Amazing work man! I really like the color and your intention about this girl trying to fight her inner demons on her own, I can relate to that, all of us can, thats a nice idea. Also im surprised you used mouse for this...thats insane!!! It all turned out great man and Im really glad to see you successful here! All those efforts are indeed worth it. Keep it up man! Amazing work!

That looks badass!
The green was cool and easy on the eyes, this one is jarring and very dramatic. I love it.

Your perception of depth of field and dramatic lighting is very refined. I hope you do well in the contest

@Kreyhardt
Thanks a lot bro \m/ ... very happy to see you!!
I hope you get through with whatever has been going on with your life.

I really learned a lot from this challenge, kept me busy and made me realize my responsibilities as an artist. Felt good interacting with all of you; even the 3d section as well... freakin mind-blowing. Those guys just go beyond the imaginable.

I seriously hope we will do this madness again XD ... gonna miss it big time.

@nocluse
Hey Nicholas \m/ Thanks a lot mate \m/
What i felt ... what i envisioned ... i did just that. Could've done it way better though.. but i was already too saturated. Had to let it go one way or the other. I lost out miserably in last two challenges mainly because i was overdoing things. This was in a way to redeem myself. Funny enough .. i'm happy that i completed it rather than the artwork itself XD LOL

I wish you all the luck!
It was really nice being here.

Don't really know what to say because, well you obviously rocks :smile: ...and with a mouse, wow, just wow...
So, simply - Awesome man.
Best of luck to you !!!

Cheers dude !

Bless you bro \m/

Man if i had my most earliest artworks ... you'd be like ....
"OK NOW ... where's the little kid and those crayons?!!!"
I was that bad .... but things changed through the years ... constantly practicing.

Art is never enough man .... it's what we're striving for.