Info I wanted to create a fem-bot (or is it femme-bot?) and this time a geisha bot, inspired by the mysterious geisha women of Japanese tradition. So I went on the internet and got me some reference images as initial inspiration. 
Concept Design: The process
I started sketching out a basic female form in Artrage. Artrage has these lovely marker and paint tools which you can then smear around. It is great for exploring shapes and - well, being creative. I'm not affiliated with it in any way, but it is worth every dollar (it's only 25 $ for the full version! They have a free trial at www.ambientdesign.com/ )  
Since Artrage allows the export and import of .psd files I work on the image in Photoshop as well. I put in the quick umbrella shape in Photoshop, even though I could have done it with a stencil in Artrage. As you can see here, I worked out the sketch more and already came up with the two streaks above her eyes, which is something that happened when I did some "explorative smearing" in Artrage. This would wind up being maybe the most unique design element about her.  
At one point I was considering a massive, bulbous hairdo, which I later changed back to the three part hair-style. I unified her tattered cape. Less distracting. | 
