Bamboo Sanctum - Okami Amaterasu

I started this in spring and finally it is finished after lots of on and off work. I've never put so much detail in to a background, but I wanted it to be just as pleasant to the eye as Ammy. Hopefully your gaze is obligated to drift across the whole picture. I had much difficulty with Ammy's fur, but I'm mostly pleased with it. This might be my first picture where the background is nicer to look at than the main subject, but I'm not sure... It's up to opinion I suppose. The bamboo was the most time consuming with the creek being next. All of those rocks... Oh my goodness... O_O The sand turned out just how I wanted it, and I'm pretty pleased with the light coming in. I learned many lessons throughout this piece, it was truly an adventure but I'm so glad it's done!

The background(especially the bamboo) was majorly inspired by the movie: "The Wolf Children". Originally I wanted this picture to be a speed paint, but it didn't work out because of how long it was taking. This is the song I had picked out --> www.youtube.com/watch?v=9z3brd… the song is from the movie The Wolf Children, it's kinda like the theme song of the scene if you will.

Overall I wanted this picture to display Amaterasu immersed in a sanctum like forest that is peaceful and untouched, filled with clean and pure water with an archway that keeps the forest hidden from bad intent. I suppose it might be something like the archway in Kamiki village that hides the secret portal in the Konohana tree trunk.

I'd love to get feedback on this one, comments and critiques(negative or positive) are very welcome as always.

~Thanks!