The design might be tweaked a bit though, as I move further in development.
i love the idea of insignia for your character! most people skip this detail. i cant wait to see more iteration from you. 
8 days later
My initial idea for Phoenix, was that she was a character called Sarah Renasi. Sarah was an ordinary village girl, but would sometimes go out to into the forest to explore. It was there that she met a dying phoenix and merged her soul with it to save it. She then gains new powers and becomes the warrior known as Phoenix.
4!
Easier to put the armor on.
Yeah, I was thinking of going for 4 as well. Thanks! ^_^
In the end, I decided to go for 3 and 4. I figured it could show her in her village dress and what she wears whenever she goes out into the woods.
With her hair, I originally wanted it to be bright red, but I then figured that it would clash with the red of her armour. Maybe later on, I can find a way for that to work out, but for now, I chose to stick with a normal brown hair.
With the sword, it was obvious that the Phoenix motif I designed would fit in with the design of
the hilt. I just had to find a way to design it well so it would look and feel semi practical.
When it comes to a lot of my designs, I don't really do multiple iterations. I mainly make improvements to the previous designs, while keeping what worked. And with that, I went with number 4 for the design of the sword.
After adding some red to make it more identifiable, We have the appropriately named Phoenix Blade or as the writing on the sword says, "Blade of the Phoenix"
These are some movement/pose thumbnails I did in preparation for my final image.
With number 1, I had the thought that Phoenix could be showing a demonstration of her powers by shooting fire from her sword.
Number 2 and 3 were more just poses and stances for her with the sword. (Which can also light on fire). The idea was that I would also find different perspectives for these poses if I were to choose them.
Number 4 felt like a more majestic take on her. I wanted the shot to convey a powerful stance, and the fiery wings on her back were to show the phoenix inside her. It also works as part of the demonstration of her power. That being manipulation of fire.
I decided to go for number 4 because I felt it best showed her character and personality as a fierce feminine warrior.
This is the sketch I did for the final illustration. Along with the size required. I tried to use the colours to incorporate the mood I wanted to go for. I do also have the concept sheets in the works.
19 days later
It's the end of the Contest, and I'm proud to say that I have completed my final illustration!
As you can see, I changed the angle and composition a bit, but the overall feeling I was going for is still there.
In the end, I'm proud of myself for being able to finish it on time, although, I still need to work on the speed of my drawings so maybe next time, I'll be able to go through more explorations.
