I am not entirely happy with the end result. Digital coloring isn't a strength of mine. This time I tried a different technique of flatting then building in gradients and adding highlights without using the dodge or burn tools. I used the following tutorial ([link]), although I didn't follow the technique exactly, so don't discredit Chris' tutorial based on my results. He was very helpful when I had questions.

One problem with digital coloring for me is that I don't have a tablet, and coloring with the mouse is extremely time-consuming and difficult. I am now deciding whether I will color the rest of this issue digitally or not. The other technique I used to color, which didn't involve channels or flatting, actually went MUCH faster and produced results that were just as pleasing to me in the end.

Please feel free to give honest, critical feedback on this piece.