Ziiklara: THE STELLAR JAY concept

I'd like to say I don't really change my characters all that much, but instead add to whatever is already there, and change what was only put there due to missing pieces of the big picture. 

This however, was a concept I had in my mind for a LONNNG time regarding what Ziiklara would look like in the past. All feathers slicked back onto the elongated crest, a bit more wild looking. I combined that idea and her current concept of beads strewn in a few of the feathers to weigh them down for purposes of the fashionably swell.

For a long time I wondered what species of avian Ziiklara should be based off of, as opposed to just being a generic crow-thing. I figured Stellar Jay; already there were a lot of anatomical similarities. The only big difference is her coloration; she is a statue afterall. Plus, the Stellar Jay is just a rough guide since birds in general are a very diverse concept. 

OH THE EXPRESSIONS I CAN DRAW. The crest is capable of movement. My problem is just HOW it moves and how to make it look more natural than the faded doodles above. Once I got that, I get to have one more element to express perhaps the most expressive character I've ever had. 

Another concept just as old is Ziiklara having a Vitiligo sort of look. I just didn't know how exactly those markings would be arranged, but now I think I have a pretty good idea. I might end up drawing that soon...

So ya. here it is.

Ziiklara belongs to me