Hey! I'm in the process of revamping/redesigning my sona Zephyr in her dragon form, which currently looks like this http://mephilesthedark-44.deviantart.com/gallery/?offset=168#/d2gbrx5 OLD DRAWING IS OLD

I obviously haven't drawn her in a while seeing as that was the last picture I drew of her which was done back in 2009. I find her current design is almost too complex so I was hoping to mild it down some a bit, but still keep some of the awesomeness. I have a few ideas myself, but they alone are not enough to fully call it a revamp, just adding and removing a few things is all. I'm also contemplating adding markings as well, She's had the same "Black base-Red Underbelly" scheme since she was created and it looks too plain. Any suggestions are GREATLY appreciated and if you feel really creative you may even be able to illustrate some of your ideas for me, in turn I may also be able to pay you some tu or something for your contribution to this project ^^ Once I get ger dragon form finished I can begin working on redesigning ll of her other forms as well, but since they are all based on the dragon form I can't do anything with them until I finish this.

 This has been mentioned at least once by all of you so just to clarify, the fire ISN'T ALWAYS THERE. It was added cuz this was a doodle, not a ref, I don't actually have a ref for her as of yet and don't intend to make one until after the revamp. Thank you all very much for your input, but most of the redesign has been finished except for if the color scheme is going to be changed. If you would like to compare your thoughts to the ones expressed in the current state I can upload the UNCOLORED design specs that I have as of now.

~Zephyr 

OK, I'll try! I really like the design, and imho it doesn't need much of a revamp :3

Things I'd keep:

- the robotic/armoured front legs (I really like them) 

- the tail tip blade (this thing is nifty)

- head and spine spikes

- hind legs rings 

- the wings themselves, but I'd make them about 2 or 3 times bigger, so that they would support the dragon's weight in flight

Things I'd delete/modify: 

- the neck, wing and tail rings (I can't quite imagine it would be possible to put them on through the spikes; besides, they're heavy and would make flying hard) 

- the wing rings (again, how to put them on?) and the wing blades (again, heavy)

- the neck/chest spikes pointing forward (they seem useful, but would be totally in the way when in running or flying; I also think that they would significantly limit the dragon's manouverability) 

- the hind legs spikes (they seem quite uncomfortable)

- the fire aura - maybe something like a glow rather? 

I wouldn't worry about making it look 'realistic' and such. All you need to avoid is making it look ridiculous. I mean, dragons don't exist right? And I don't think anatomically, a reptile could have more than 4 limbs (excluding tail) unless it had a parasitic twin. So it's not really possible to have one in nature, so just make sure it doesn't look awkward and such. I've seen many very awesome character design that look unorganic and abstract (for example the creature from Yoshi.taka Amano's Japan III).

If I were you, I'd get rid of the horns protruding out (forward) of it's neck, it looks awkward and inconvinient. The wings (they are wings right?) offshooting the wings is a bit much as well.

I also find it useful to think of a theme when creating a character. This thing looks a little strange with this whole robot-fire thing going on. It's like putting something organic and natural with something that's inorganic and man-made. They're two very powerful in your face themes, and when you have more than one 'in your face' things, it doesn't end well. You need to think of a focal point, something that it meant to catch the eye. From what I see, the huge horns sticking out everywhere makes this appear confusing. Every humongous horn attempts to draw attention from you, thus making this thing have a very sparse focal point.  It mightbe a better idea to make many smaller horns, and a few large ones to balance it up and catch the eye. 

That's all of the advice I can offer now. i know that it's been a while since you first created this, so it may be a little under your current par. I look forward to seeing your further developments ;D