@Oceane_Roh, @rgdraw, @nesokaiyoh, @Serfer, @joeypoolart, thank you so much for your kind words! I'm very glad you like my idea so far!
Finally, an update! Here are some more sketches & variations I made a few days ago. I kept sitting on them for a little while because I wasn't very sure about the clothing, though now I think I would rather go with one or two layers of fabric, like the 1st or the 5th one, maybe even the 4th.
She would be approximately 3 meters tall, almost twice the height of a regular human. I decided to give her a simple staff, which would also help her to balance herself. Moreover, I imagined water slowly flowing from the empty holes of the eyes, leaving a trail on the face.
Hey !
I think you are right that's better to keep it simple and visually strong. The 1 or the 4 are the best in my opinion, precise, clear, strong. The 5 is great too but I have this feeling that I'm seeing a very old lady who left everything she had to go on the road or something like that (the shape of the clothes maybe ?)
Cool progress so far !
Thank you very much for the feedback @tbrk, @Oceane_Roh, @veesketch! Good point on the 5th one Oceane, haven't thought about that but I do see what you mean. Keeping the clothing simple is what I aim for indeed since the body is already a more complex thing on its own.
A bit more about her: she is a powerful defender, a hostile guardian. Her one and only duty is to endlessly roam the shores and the shallow seas while hunting whatever may disturb the water's peace – and this duty she fulfills at any cost. The waters lend her aid and bend to her very will. They keep her alive while she belongs to the waters – she needs water and water needs her.
Thank you a lot @rgdraw, I'm glad you think so!
I decided to go with a more open version of the 1st one in the end, so the body design wouldn't be too hidden.
I started to sketch the illustration, then I couldn't stop and cleared things up a little bit. I imagined her standing near the shore of the sea where she would wander around, leaning on her staff while casting her very first warning spell as she would see something slowly approaching. Strong dynamism was not my goal here as Esme would be a calm and slow fellow – most of the time. If she would spot someone or something threatening the waters, her attacks would be swift and deadly if it is required. She could charge towards her target in a heartbeat.
@nesokaiyoh, thank you! There will be a dark sea, some sinister storm clouds on the sky with the sun shining through them just a bit.
@rgdraw, thank you very much, I hope I'll be able to do so!