Well, this certainly earned you an instant follow after I saw you resteemed by @vermillionfox!
I DO really like the painterly style here, and it's something I'm really wanting to get into digitally. What do you recommend for learning the basics of digital painting? I know how to draw, sight, keep things relatively accurate in regard to proportion, etc. but as far as making things softened, I'm pretty clueless. I'd like to add this kind of art to my currently very limited output some day.
edit: Just saw the reference photo. You really made this one your own, which highlights the creativity that can be put into works like this.
Thanks for all your awesome feedback! Gets me super motivated haha.. If you wanna get into digital painting, the main difference between it and traditional art is learning how to use the software. Some programs I've used in the past and would definitely recommend considering are:
The other big decision right at the start is deciding how much money you want to put into your drawing device. Wacom has a line of amazing tablets that are relatively cheap called the "Intuos" series. They get the job done super well and plenty of professionals use them. Otherwise there are the more pricey options with built-in screens like the Cintiq, or if you're looking for a more convenient/on-the-go device, an iPad Pro. But I really don't see any need to spend thousands of dollars on a crazy fancy tablet other than personal preference...
After you've got all the tools, you'll needa learn how to use them and the best way to do that is simply by searching the plethora of information sitting right at your fingertips on google/youtube. Virtually any problems you have, someone else has already experienced first, the answer is just waiting out there. Once you've got the basics of the tools down, it should feel just as easy as drawing/painting traditionally.
In regards to the painterly style - that's pretty much all to do with the brush customisation and the way you move your hand when you paint. Just experiment a lot, style is something that comes naturally with practise ^-^