I think this is called underpainting- where you focus solely on the shading in grayscale rather than bother about color. the idea is you get all of that down, then you just slap on the color (At least, I think). I'm liking how it works, actually.
With some color slapped on. He's sans tail and little hairs for now, but I'll tidy that up before I finish the image. I really like how he's coming out, actually; though, I'm not sure I'm feeling the flowers so far, they just seem kind of muddy to me. I suppose I'll experiment a bit and try to work it out, but ultimately I have got to just FINISH it, even if it's not 100% great and wonderful.
Admittedly, I do have a sneaking suspicion this image won't be received well, which has also been hindering my progress. The image is a bit strange, I know (there is a meaning to it, as pretentious as that sounds, and it makes sense for the character and the Noodles story), plus people get put off when they can't recognize what Ralph is since he's not a popular character or a recognizable animal...as I learned in my animation class this quarter. But you gotta draw what you gotta draw, I guess :).
