I have become Fascinated with Africa.

I have been researching a few tribes (there are soooooo many) , the Fulani tribe being one of them. This is the lady I was inspired to paint last night.
They started as a nomadic herding group of people , but today do many other things as well. There at least 20 million people in this group to date and they reach from the western coast of Africa on througn to the other side, many living in the Sahara desert, which for some reason I have always thought a dreadfully romantic notion.

Here is a map I found online, denoting their main home region.

They are known for visually being tall and glamorous. Intricate face paintings and intoxicating blues and purples make up the majority of their wardrobe. Long intricate braids adorn their women's heads.

Their men stay covered in long robes and turbans. Here are two picture's I found on the internet that exemplify this, that I am considering painting as well, beautiful compositions.

Here are the process shots of my painting.

I picked a muse

and then used this for the barest of outlines

now for filling in each and every line by hand

starting to fill in the gorgeous face art.

Next starting to shade in the rich colors and adding tiny details.

More detail, she is coming together :)

The original unfiltered finished version.

a detail, The skin of the Fulani is known to be slightly dyed from the clothing. I illustrated this here on her hands.

a few beautiful filters I love on this piece.

This one really shows off the bling! The men of the Fulani are incredable Jewelry makers and make all that the women wear. They typically use silver as there is some superstions surrounding the use of gold.

here is a link I found on their to the unique smithing methods, this one is making earings.

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=fula+jewelry&&view=detail&mid=35AF2CA56F2466D5C2F135AF2CA56F2466D5C2F1&&FORM=VRDGAR

a few more filtered pieces.

Hope you enjoyed my art and a little history on the Fulani People!
Have a wonderful day

all rights reserved @mimulusamsterdam

and a hysterical meme that I didn't make but LOVE

Here are a few of my previous peices
This one I was awarded a 100% upvote from Slothicorn for their daily curation #8 Here is a link to the curation, Thank you Slothi!
https://steemit.com/slothicorn/@slothicorn/slothicorn-daily-art-curation-8
Here is a link to my post
https://steemit.com/slothicorn/@mimulusamsterdam/new-favorite-piece-just-finished

This piece I was awarded 100% upvote from Slothicorn for their daily curation #6. Here is a link to that curation, thank you Slothi!! https://steemit.com/slothicorn/@slothicorn/slothicorn-daily-art-curation-6

Here is a link to my post
https://steemit.com/artzone/@mimulusamsterdam/the-place-between-science-and-magick-my-submission-for-artexplosion-s-week-38-sci-fi-theme![artflow_201805031852_kindlephoto-59998826.jpg]

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This one is for @nymia.aryn's Mermaid Monday, this submission is the FIRST Steemit contest I won :)
https://steemit.com/mermaidmonday/@nymia.aryn/mermaid-monday-week-5-fun-and-prizes-927253d4f060d

Here is a link to my post
https://steemit.com/slothicorn/@mimulusamsterdam/mermaid-and-octopi-with-school-of-fish

and I leave you with a wonderful photo of Salem that I did not take lol in a muscle suit <3