The four main female protagonists of each of the Tortall series by Tamora Pierce. I was being sentimental, because Pierce was the first fantasy writer I ever read. From top left, anticlockwise:

Alanna – the original “sheroine”. Gosh she was SO annoying to draw, because I could never figure out what she was *supposed* to look like, what with so many different interpretations on all the book covers I looked up (that sort of explains the repeated rubbing that has forever blemished the poor paper… ><. It’s amusing how much I used to love Tortall, and at the age of seven Alanna was the coolest person possible, but I think as I grew she got more irritating, because she’s just so perfect.

Keladry of Mindelan – my personal favourite, from the Protector of the Small series. I only read this series a long while after my Tamora Pierce phase had worn off, and she became my favourite mainly because she’s not as Mary-Sue-ish and perfect as the rest of them. And she uses a glaive. I like glaives/polearms in general, lol. I’ve done her sort of young, probably when she’s just started at the palace in Corus or even before that.

Daine, the Wildmage – And Cloud, from the Immortals quartet. Daine was I think the easiest to draw because I’d had a pretty strong mental image of her from the books, what with the thick, nigh unbindable hair, stubborn chin etc etc. I’ve always seen Cloud as a Highland/Welsh mountain pony, so that’s what I used as a reference.

Aliane – the latest one from the Trickster series, daughter of Alanna and George. She’s a highly amusing character, though I haven’t quite managed to get my hands on Trickster’s Queen yet so the only impression I have of her is from Trickster’s Choice. But I do know the Darkings get involved in the next book – and who could resist those absolutely CUTE little… things? Uh, blobs. Lol. Oh yes, can someone enlighten me as to the spelling of her name? I can’t remember if it was Alyane or Aliane or anything else. *sheepish grin* It’s a long while since I read TP.