I created this project using Photoshop and my trusty graphics tablet on the PC. I took my idea from the research and development stages and sketched out the rough outlines. In hindsight it would have been easier if I had drawn on a clear layer rather than the default white background layer for later editing of this rough outline.
The design for the dress that I chose didn't reflect the classic Egyptian collar as I intended in earlier designs so I shrank the collar and added horizontal bands of material to the outfit.
While colouring I decided that there was too much gold in Lucidara's outfit and so it didn't properly reflect her vampiric nature or the gothic influence. By using more black and red I think the outfit was made more bold and suited the themes better. I added the back of the throne, mirroring the cobra-headed statues to save time and maintain consistency.
Shading with the pressure sensitivity of the graphic pen and different brushes was an effective and rewarding way of adding depth and contour. I perticularly like how the effect helps the gold shine.
I added more detail and shading, gradually adjusting the unnatural skin-tones of the vampire-queen to look more human, then more dead! The background was created simply with the same shading effect using black and red, then adding a semi-transparent layer (with glow effects) featuring a selection of ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs.
Not entirely happy with this, I added more to the shading, especially Lucidara's deathly pallor and making the image as a whole more bold and striking. I added engravings to the throne with engrave effects and then made some final adjustments and neatening up errors and rough lines.