SakuraCon'11 Mascot

Mascot entry for SakuraCon 2011's contest.
The results are in and I came in second place!

So I made this mascot design actually last year but never got to finish, so I redrew her in a new pose in my sketchbook and finished it up for this year's contest. Her design was based on a cherry blossom tree -- hence the dark leggings and brown, knee-high boots. Originally, her hair was more bob-like and with a gradient of darker pink towards the top of her head, as if it was a flower blooming on her head but instead I opted for white streaks.

She's very pink, so I threw on a texture (`hibbary) and a big SAKURA! kanji in some organic, neutral greens/browns to even things out.

I hope this means I will be at SakuraCon next year in Seattle, WA! Hope you guys like my mascot design.

More info can be found on the Sakura Con homepage: [link]
Design and illustration by Finni.