Guardian of the Sands

My last illustration for my sci-fi/fantasy class, #2 of the three paintings I completed this week! The prompt for this was something of a rip-off of that scene from The Mummy:replace the air plane with a hot air balloon. My goal was to follow the prompt but not copy the movie.

Consider this my metal-head testament! While drawing the line-work I listened to nothing but Helloween (Keeper of the Seven Keys pt. 1 &2 and The Legacy).

EDIT: I finally got that sunny day I was waiting for! Now I have a better picture to post