actually started this last year... early last year. you can see a wip of it in my scraps, from may I think, or march?

I gave up because at the time, I'd bitten off more than I could chew with the wings. I have a (slightly) better understanding of the anatomy - and how to paint them - now, although they are still a bit squiffy. I also really struggled with the shadows that the wings created. feel free to crit, although it's unlikely I'll go back to this now.

I know this is really similar to chillwind which I very recently submitted, but tough titty I felt like finishing this up. I think it's a nice one to begin 2009, what will hopefully be another year of continued improvement... etc etc yadda yadda

... sometimes I wonder if the hours of refining and detailing, not to mention years of drawing horses and learning about anatomy etc, is worth it... since so many seem to share the view that realism (or as close as you can get to it) is pointless and boring?

personally I love to create, and look at, this kind of art... but it sometimes seems I'm in a minority!

and another thing while I'm at it - that big ol "C"... vital, or an obnoxious waste of time?

lol I dunno I'm just spilling my thought train. I'll be quiet now. hope you like this.
100percent detail: [link] (in scraps)
reference many thanks to ~narcissamalfoy7 (although I can't seem to find it...)