Peacock Princess--new work

I'm working on a new version of Peacock Princess. It will be a small book or comic with 8 new
illustrations. I want to develop the characters and motives more deeply.  For example,  I keep wondering why the king would allow his son's beloved wife to be executed, and plan to explain that in the new version.

Also, there are luscious images I want to illustrate! Like the tropical forest pool where the prince and princess met.


I have lots of ideas, but I need some visual references. So I did some research. I looked up tropical pools and forests on the internet and sketched what I liked, what I might adapt to my story.

I wonder,  what were the Prince's society and architecture like? What kind of designs would they put on their clothing? And what about the kingdom of the sun where the Princess was from? I spent some time thinking about this too.

I think the Prince was from a more structured society, while the Princess represents freedom and spontaneity. Their dress, architecture, social structure, how they were expected to behave--every thing in the two cultures would be different. Which might explain why the wizard hated the Princess so....He is a control freak and she is very spontaneous.

I plan to have this ready to go to press by July 3rd. Yikes! I need to stay focused!