My question too. I've been through some rough waters of late but things are slowing down now and I'd like to get back into drawing. I remembered this thread. Seems a good enough place to start.

Yes Fir it is.

Nice to see you back quiet.

I'm getting something of a different image in mind, but still colour. Is a bust okay? What does a celestial panther look like? We just talking wings or is there anything else special about it?.

It's a panther with wings.
Bust is fine quiet.

Alrighty, so to double check details: wears kimonos, has pointed ears and wears a blindfold?

Yup, that's Valanthe.
Who has pointy ears because she's an Elf.

Yes, I remembered the elf part. ;)

What you wanting in payment?

Is the kitsune still available? Otherwise, I'm flexible. I might still take me a while.

You got an art sample so I can say if it's worth a kitsune mask, but even then for an item that expensive I'd prefer a full body.

I can direct you to my Deviant Art account, or the two goofy things I have on Photo Bucket. Everything I do is traditional art (I haven't tested my tablet yet), and I'm never sure of the style until I actually start working on the piece, but the idea I have in mind is a bust of Valanthe with her arm around the underside of the panther's head. I can put the staff across her back with the gem portion sticking out for some more colour. Still colour, and still with a bit of background. Depending on how the sketch comes out it would either be in pencil crayon or watercolour paint.

I have a sketch! I'm not 100% happy with it but I never am when (attempting) to draw people. I'm happier with the panther. I'm stylizing it slightly, and I'll get it scanned once the outline is done so you can have a look so far. As it is, I don't think it looks like much of my other art so far.

There should be quite a few kitsunes.. two came from my collection, I think.. but I agree.. one of the few Japanese items I enjoyed using so I would be fussy on the art offered for those.

If you could Quiet, like Dawn says we are fussy over those items.

Bleh, the lanterns seem to hate me. XD I just want that background and I'm done with the event.

I was gaining and losing the same lantern for almost the entire time I was online last night. 'twas very annoying.

I understand the desire for quality, and if need be, I can trace and tweak some details. I have one kitsune already, so it won't bother me if you'd prefer to save it for someone who doesn't.

Here's my DA account, main gallery. "Paintings" has my watercolour work and "Misc. Amusements" has pencil crayon, but the actual images were drawn by other people.

EDIT: and here is the sketch. I'll add more detail when I colour it but here's the baseline. Let me know if you would like anything added. I sorta forgot about the vines on the staff but I can add them. I left off wing details and the panther's front because I couldn't get them to a point where I was happy with them.