This is a piece I did for IllustrationFriday's current prompt; "passion".

When I think of passion this is how I feel. I always feel a part of me that's barking or yelling out to move towards that something but other parts that feel like drowning or doubt and then other parts that make me feel like I need to keep an eye on everything surrounding that feeling as well.

I begin with a sketch on paper.

I then lay down all my rough color. I usually add adjustment layers above my initial paint as well such as curves and selective color so I can adjust everything and make sure the colors and values are okay.

 

I then also colorize the sketch layer and duplicate that, gaussian blue the duplicate and adjust the hue on that as necessary (it gives the lines a more loose and dreamy feel).

I start refining the painting back to front. Here I worked on the sky and mountain.

...Then the trees.

Then I refined the character.

And the foreground finally.

I then paint overtop of the initial sketch, just to make the lines less obvious. I did less here than I would usually do.

Then I do final textures and adjustment layers to make everything good.

Finally I brush on some light strokes with a dry-brush looking brush. And I added the triangle last-minute because shapes are awesome.