I'm not used to show and describe all my processes but I will do my best.

So for this ArtWar let me introduce you to Nariko (which means Thunder Child).
I went for a female fighter, since I don't draw a lot of women I thought it would be some kind of training at the same time.

So for the first step, here are some early sketches I started on paper and scanned to keep working on it with my tablet.

I'd like to keep Nariko's design pretty simple. Here I try visualise what can do with just these 3 words : Woman - fighter - lightning

For the next step I did some tests, painting several hairstyles and face caracteristics.
As you can read, the marks around the eyes will be the same color as the lightnings of Nariko, but at this point I haven't made my mind yet about the lightnings so I tried several colors.

(And as you can clearly see by the look of her neck and shoulders, my habits of drawing mostly male figures are not going away any time soon . But I think it will look good on a fighter !)

(By the way sorry about the possible english mistakes, I'm a french frog)

Little update :
Here's a more global look at her and some outfits.
(I decided to go with haircut #1 btw, but i'm still working on the marks and lightnings colors)

Hi again !
Thank you for the reply and for you point of view @clarief

I've been working on the colors of the lightnings recently, here's the result.
I think that the combination of the facial marks #1 and yellow lightnings works the best if I want to keep it simple.

So next step will be finishing the details of the outfit. I started thinking about some composition ideas, I'll have to sketch them too.

Yeah that was my problem too, but I had to make a choice (even if it still can be changed as things progress)

Little update. I decided to take a small break from the whole charadesign of Nariko to put on "paper" some compositions I had in mind for the final illustration.

Initially, composition #3 was the one that came to me as soon as I started working on the contest. I think the low-angle perspective shows the power and stature of the character.

I still love it but I know that I'll have some problems working in this perspective... Especially with the face

In the meantime, #4 started to really grow on me.

Sooooo... I'm a bit lost. What's your opinion about it ?

I still have a bit of lore I'd like to explore but yeah, that's kinda my problem : I take a lot of time to polish everything even these concept arts that are supposed to be kind of basic.

Yeah #4 kinda won in my mind. The more I think about these compositions, the more I realise that I'm just thinking about #4

Another update before I work on that final illustration (even if, as I said above, I'd like to draw and write a bit of lore).

So I worked a bit on the outfit of Nariko. (First time in color, Yay!).

As you can see I was inspired by the japanese thunder divinity : Raijin (as Narijo is the thunder child ).
But it wasn't really supposed to be SO inspired in fact. At first I just wanted to represent his sash/scarf around his shoulders as an electric arc going around Nariko's shoulders as she prepares to fight.

But as I was looking for some references of him to remember how it actually looked I found out that the color palette I used for Nariko was almost the same as Raijin's

I intended to try a bit more colors combination but I think this is fate

Mmmh, I was thinking (based on composition #4) maybe Nariko in a (her ?) dojo. Being attacked, and stepping outside to teach a lesson to those water, earth and fire champions who dared disturb her meditation and training .

Little update, I've finally started to work on the final illustration.
I didn't have too much time today so that's just where I am for now. I also started to write a little bit of the lore. I'll post it as soon as I finish it !

Decided to change the light and the shadows because the way it was placed would have mean that she'd be facing the wall while the entrance as well as the ennemies would have been (too far) on her right...

Nariko-Thunder child.jpg3840x2160 2.75 MB

@dreamsequenz Dude. Avatar was sooo good (I miss it).
I see the resemblance to Azula (I hated her, but kinda liked her. That's a strange feeling ) !

@danrob Thank you ! I see what you mean, I'm not that used to make illustrations with that much perspectives and composition-thinking but at least it's a training for me.
I'd like to keep the overall shape of the lightning right because there are elements I want to try adding. But I try to keep my layers organized in case I ever want to change anything at any time .

Update of the day.
I added the (water) soldiers I initialy drew on the composition sketch.
(Troubling an electric martial artist in her dojo was NOT a smart decision from the water soldiers)

I also started to work a little on the face and chest. A bit flat for now but we will see how it goes with the lightning lights later.