So, my school was having a contest. Our class would be creating pieces for their flying themed art show. You know, everyone literally has dreams they could fly, or sometimes you just want to build something to take off, like an airplane.
That's what inspired me. Building something to take flight. I also love steampunk. I just rolled with it from there, using Pepper for inspiration...

This is what an empty page looks like after this project. Why is it so crazy? Because I need someway to test colors and make sure it looks the way I want it to...

Yeah.
So with the craziness out of the way, we can begin sketching out the basic idea with pencil...

I sketched out some ideas so I could settle on a story: a scientist that built a robotic bird to fly.

I even used my own sketches for inspiration: I brought some of my anatomy and ideas, and incorporated them as notes the scientist drew.

Just adding more details to the bird...

The required medium for this piece was Colored Pencil, so I began using them to color the bird.

I haven't even attempted metal before this, so it's a little weird looking.

Okay, so now that the bird and notes are done, I have to tackle the background.

I originally was going to do the walls and ceiling green, but my teacher said purple (the complimentary color for orange) would make the gold pop more.
I also worked on a little swing in the bird's cage. Pepper has the same swing in real life.

The walls are done, and now I'm just finishing the border. The idea was, when hung up on a wall, it would seem like you were looking through a glass pane and into an enclosure.
I didn't want to the bird to seem trapped, though. That's why I also drew in an opening to the left, into the clouds, so the bird could fly and return, adding to the freedom of flying feeling.

And this is the completed project.

Update: Oh my gosh, guys!! Apparently, this picture is currently in VIRGINIA because it won first in my STATE after the original art show. Basically, if it places in Virginia, it will be sent to an INTERNATIONAL art show in SWITZERLAND!!

OH MY GOSH SWITZERLAND!

Update: So.... I didn't place nationally... and I know I shouldn't be so down that I didn't place, but... idk I really felt like I might do it.

So... yeah... :/