Written In The Stars

I think I finally did it! lol I finally figured out the right soft cel shading technique for me. It's pretty simple, but different from the original technique I was trying to do (like here). I might do a step-by-step once I really get a process down on it. 
Before, trying to do this soft cel shading, or "non-linear" type digital painting was giving me trouble because I had a hard time defining the line art from the color while keeping everything consistent...but this technique gets me the same look but easier!

This wasn't for a particular assignment, but I was trying out some things to use in my illustration class here. Mostly with the background and coloring technique.  I didn't really have a solid drive for this one, as it was all experimental. Originally the plan was to have her in the sky with clouds and a daytime thing and seagulls around and water below... but obviously that didn't happen. Somehow she turned into a Star Maiden and I just kept going with it. xD When I did her hair in purple, I noticed that the kinky curls looked a lot like outer space the way I laid them down, so I added stars and that's what sort of started the whole thing. I wanted to make actual stars this time-- that's a first. xD

I changed her face and everything quite a bit. I'm still not sure what's what with the face and stuff, but it's better than it was. She has such a structured and static pose that when I gave her a static expression, it made her TOO static. I widened her eyes and gave her a smile, and hopefully it looks okay here. I sort of struggled with the sheer fabric but I think I did okay. I used a Steven Universe texture overlay thingy (this one) and I think it helped a lot..so shout out to the person who made those!
Anyway, overall I am very pleased with this. I decided to do a url watermark instead of my usual symbol for no reason whatsoever.. just felt like it.

If you want to see some of my process with this, you can check it out here. 

FUN FACT
I thought of calling it "written in the stars" and when I searched that on youtube, in attempts to find a song, I didn't find one that really matched the art, but I did find this song and I actually really like it xD

Stock ref and textures used::

Dear Kitty ... Old Letter2
Texture 633
Portrait 19