Opal of the Open Mind

Well, this took a really long time. I think I probably started this last year? It's taken me a really long time to figure out how I wanted to do everything. After a long period of time I decided to go with a blue base for the dragon the way I generally see opals (though those are usually the synthetic kind). After that I did silver filigree as though the dragon was set as an opal would be in silver jewelry. After that I messed around for a couple months with the way that I wanted to do the opal bits. After a long bit of experimenting and trying to replicate the look of an opal I essentially ended up doing a study. And, I found the best way that I, myself could make what looks like an opal.

Original lineart was by: *rachaelm5 [link]
Time taken: Bits here and there over the past year
Program used: PSE
Colors by: ~Elephantfreak