Cyclopean Demon

Within a demon's body, a constant struggle is being fought. Immensely powerful forces work to destroy its flesh, burning it, liquefying it, tearing it apart. To keep itself from disintegrating, a demon must exert a significant portion of it's magic and consciousness toward re-growing it's deteriorating form. Exoskeletons crack and burn, only to be replaced with new chitinous fibers. Organs burst and leak fluids through the skin before they are patched up into almost unrecognizable imitations. Wing membranes tear and veins bleed, while new ones replace and heal them at an impossible rate. A demon's appearance never remains the same for too long, for it's body is forever falling apart and reforming. It feels unrelenting agony, it's entire body a festering wound that will never close up. And the demons have lived this cursed half-life for over 7 million years.

I don't want to exaggerate, but I think that, in terms of craft, this is one of the best pieces I've done. It was all made in a single photoshop layer, and almost all with one brush (of different sizes, though). I have no idea how long it took me, but over 12 hours is a safe bet. While there are some major weaknesses in the overall design of the creature, I feel I've got a good handle on the painting technique.