The paper is not only textured but tinted...PINK! I'm actually not a huge fan of pink, but your right...the soft colors just really worked for this pic. As for the gel pen idea...I'll have try that...thanks for reviewing!
Dreamer by @Anime_Deity (Aline Spyer)
lol...my computer really messed up on the coloring of this one x.X
The charactors name is Atsuko, in case anyone was wondering. I really like to draw her hair, but it's hard to color 'cause it's so curly...I don't know where to put highlights!! I really messed up on the hairs coloring in this one. oh well XD And yes, I know her hands and feet are screwy...
This was done with a Steadtler (pigment liner) 0.05 drawing and writing pen, colored with derwent & carb'othello (sp?) pastels pencils XD
Beautiful image. The soft colors are really relaxing--they definetly give an impression of soft, gentle sleep. I adore the soft shading, I really do.
Her leg seems bent up a little too far to be natural or comfortable, for a sleeping person. Sticking it out to the side more would give her a more relaxed pose.
As for highlights, if you have a small white gel pen, it will work wonders for just adding little dots of light. Since they are curls, I generally (for mine) add a little white along the top of each curve. It seems to work pretty well. Try looking at anime-style pics for reference--they exaggerate the highlights, and make them much easier to see.
I definetly like this picture a lot. Did you use textured paper, as well? It looks lovely!