Wow. It looks very good. what's your approach to photoshop coloring? I've been experimenting with that too with a wacom pad ... not liking the results I get yet. Which tools do you use most?

This is my first time using this technique... I read about it online... I've tried painting in photoshop and not really liked what I got even with custom brushes...

I liked how this one came out but I can still work on it I think... I'm not too keen on the sharpness of it all..

One overall tip though? Work with huge images.... you can always size them down later... this way even if you make a mistake you minimize the amount it's gonna distract from your image. This image is huge... the pencils are on 14X17 bristol board and the image is scanned at a really high rate...

First, I did a solid layer of color a bit darker than I would have liked but not dark enough to be the main shadow color.
Next, in a copy of that layer, I used the lasso tool to circle sections of highlight and the gradient tool on screen mode at about 30%-40% opacity with a yellow-ish tone to lighten the different parts. I would repeat this many times to get the effect I was looking for.
A key here is that not everything will reflect the same color of light so sometimes you have to change it or everything will have a plastic look like her shirt... or you can not do as many layers... but some things really benefit from multiple layers. Another key is to keep in mind where light is coming from and keep the gradients in about that direction. You can change it up a bit for reflective light but don't make it overpowering.
After that I added some final shadows in purple using about the same method but instead of the gradient being in screen mode, it was in multiply
then I would select stuff with the magic wand from the first layer of flat colors (that's why you don't color on top of it!!!) and used the burn and dodge tool to touch up a few areas.
after that you can slap a background behind it and have fun

Thanks for your reply. That was nice of you. Hopefully I can post something soon.

No problem! I can't wait to see what you post!

Nice and thanks for the technique hints.

No problem! I hope it helps people!!

You pack so much detail into this piece! I really like her expression the most (she looks so darn devious!) The proportions are a bit off (head to big waist to small) But I've gotta say the coloring is phenomenal (better than mine xD) I just love how you colored her hair!

Yeah, I like when pictures emphasize the differences between the male and female figure... I've been looking at this picture a lot and am now wishing that I gave Mira better looking hips ... but now looking at other pictures of her, I'm realizing... O.o; I never emphasize her hips.... I guess that's just her body type? ... But I see what you're saying.... My main goal with this picture was to make it full of energy--make it jump... but I guess I got carried away I SHALL DO BETTER!

I'm glad you like the coloring... I'm always so bad at it... It was my first time experimenting with this technique... I'm not too fond of it... but I do have a bunch more pictures to do in this style... Maybe I'll post that other one I finished....

I'd really love to see them! you should also give some color tips (your little tricks and such) I bet I could learn a lot from you ^-^