Erm... I'm no expert on realism, but you've got the basics down. I watched the animation, and you started by blocking the main colors in, which is definitely the way to start. Then you started using the blur tool, which, while useful at times, isn't the best in a pic like this. The dodge and burn tools are also dangerous when not used carefully. I much prefer to choose a darker shade of the same or a slightly different color. It's a little extra work, but it shows and gives the picture much more depth. Don't be afraid to shade with unconventional colors--if you're using a ref, and you see the colors there, they will work in the painting. For the fur on your cat, I'd take a very small brush at a low opacity and make short strokes in the basic color you want. Then, add darker tones in the same method. After that, work on the highlights, same way. The best thing that I can say about painting realism is--paint exactly what you see. Sometimes people have a an archetype in their heads, but if you work from that, the proportions can get all wonky and end up looking weird. I always second-guess myself when I'm painting. I hold the ref up, look at it sideways, upside down, whatever, to make sure I've gotten it the way it is. It takes a bit of practice, but with the start you already have, you should do very well. Good luck!

Thank you. I'll try to work on that.:)

How did I miss this one? It's adorable. :)

looks like the frog on the zoo books cover nice pic great colors

wow it's really great ! i mean, amazing XD cute ! i want it.. =D gorgeous ! i agree with vigilante, it's very good that bg is black =D this is gorgeous !! XDD

Thank you all for the comments.

I agree with all said above. This is beautiful, I really like the colors and the shading on the inside of the rose. The white lines between the rose and the background kind of take away from the whole effect. Overall, though, this is very well done.

Oooh, very pretty. I like the way it stands out against the background. :)

Nice colouring Heartsdomain... very pretty! :)

Love it babe! Awesome job Hearts.

thank you wenny and ms lee :P

laykyn....just wow....thats kewl

Looks like a pile-up of cats. hehe

Dang! That's amazing..

Great concept...and I absolutely love the interaction of the scratchy brick colored texture against the smooth light blue.

thanks a lot people...i´ve really nice and funny time doing this textures...long life to layers!! :)

I didn't look, because I just really liked it as it were, and I didn't care to see the refrence...but now after looking at it I see how precise it is...I just prefer your version is all.

wow, very nice.

Very cool, very cool.

Lol very evil.. sometime..take a look in DMV's gallery....

Shades of DMV! Great job, lana.. love those wicked looking eyes and teeth.

I see what you mean about DMV.

This is deceptively simple..yet very effective. I like this very much, particularly the shadow.

I like the water colour look with the nice line black outline.

Thanks everyone.

2 of my fave things to see i second Cherry you do make wonderful and beautful pictures

Ocean and lighthouses? Thanks..