After talking to the art director at DMB&B (Lynn Farthing), we agreed on a pose, attitude, costume and general apperance for Cleopatra. Oh, and the deadline-the whole project had to be finished in less than a week.
Went to a costume rental store and found a costume, including wig and arm band. Had to buy the headphone at Radio Shack. It was important for this project to get the reference as accurate as possible, scince the illustration was going to be created using PhotoShop. Next, a model was needed. I knew it would be tricky to find someone comfortable possing in a bra-like top. First thought was to call a modeling agency and get a professional model. But they wanted royalties, even though the photos were for reference only. Didn't like that deal so I called a friend, a hair stylist, and she agreed to pose and the only charge was a dinner. Took lights, 35mm camera and tripod to her salon, and in about an hour, had reference for Cleopatra.