For awhile,
I've had a fasination of the Victorian Era. Mostly with their
clothing and the way they lived. And for a long time, I was
fasinated with the famious "Gibson Girl" sketches
of the time. They were the product of the artist Charles Dana
Gibson; and I still think they're wonderful to look at.
Gibson Girls were something a bit innovative (And a bit radical, I guess), of the time since they portrayed women as active, taking on things like tennis, golf, and the shooting range. And I thought it shows a woman at a more sensual side, even sexy; something that can not be beaten even by today's standards. (Yes, I'm an traditionalist, I know ;-) I mean, back then, women who owned cars learned how to maintain them as well. How to change the tires and things like that. Now, it's just a speed-dial to the Auto Club or AAA, and it's all taken care of.
For some reason, I find that transition slightly depressing.
This was something I realy wanted to do for some time. Belle as a sort-of "Gibson Girl", standing above a plane of water, like on a beach. I thought the sunset in the background really added some depth to the scene. The shadow and the "ripple" around Belle's legs were *much* harder to accomplish. The ripples were a bit subtle, but I thought it added something the it as well. IMo, I don't think that it is truely convincing enough; but others have not complained about it thus far. I used an old water "texure" and did a lot of blends of the sun over it, slightly oplaque, so I hope someone will notice that it *is* water she is standing in. An old Anime pic and something I captured on the original BatB VHS tape completed the look.