Damm those sketches look really solid already!
Haha thank you! You're very kind 
Working on the third thumbnail! Still not sure which element to go with!
References
Trying to find the balance between the intimidating and heavy design of the samurai attire and having an elegance and swiftness in her design.
Deciding between mask or no mask
On your reference images at the bottom, third from the right, That face paint is intimidating, but not heavy samurai attire, have you considered a version wearing that?
I haven't! Still experimenting around, thanks! I'll try that now! 
Update on progress!
Latest Update for tonight! Thinking of adding environment, any suggestions c&c welcome!!
Adding more fire to the sword or adding enemies in the foreground? trying to add more excitement!
very cool ! keep it up ! go fire =)
Fire is so hard to do hahaha! Thank you!! I will!!
agreed! but you have done a great job so far =)
Update, trying a lighter background?? Added some red weaves onto her belt too!
Those gold reflections are so nice! The arm holding the sword looks a little off to me somehow, though. I'd suggest playing with the placement of it so it reads better. Rendering looks great so far nonetheless, keep it up
Trying out background colours! thoughts?
Ooh!! Thanks so much! I've been staring at it far too long haha, good to know, I'll experiment with it. Is it the whole arm or the way the hand holds the sword?
