Birth and Death of the Phoenix

[sfox8]

This is my first time attempting something of this magnitude but I'm learning quite a bit in the process. Hopefully you guys can further that with tips and whatnot along the way.

But anyway, my concept is based on the phoenix. It's said that phoenixes turn to ash when they die and are reborn from those same ashes. This young "boy" is giving life to the newborn phoenix but the only way is to sacrifice himself and allow his own body to be turned to ashes to make way for the new life. Sometimes in life, we must sacrifice our own wishes or way of life in order to make way for the new...

I know the concept may seem a bit farfetched but I'm trying to explain it with as much sense as I can. I do love fantasy.

Here is the first sketch. Just for the record, the newborn phoenix will be slightly visible inside the egg.

[sfox8]

First update. I won't post the whole thing until I actually get a bit further. Right now the majority of the picture is just base colors and base shading. Added some detail to the face just so I can get a sense of how I want the rest to look. Any tips on the face are greatly appreciated!

[miycko]

Nice work on the face, he's ears seem a bit too pink though, keep going

[sfox8]

Well I know this is not much of a "progress" thread. But anyway I changed the concept from the first one. Still using the phoenix idea but just changed the layout of things a bit. Here's the final product. I wish I had time to fix the proportions and edit the face a bit but seeing as how it's due to night, I had to just suck it up and submit it.