Steamspix

I'll start out by saying I think the gryphon - Spix - itself is lovely! The feathering work is wonderful - I am completely jealous of how you handled it, it looks lovely! I love that stylised feel that sweeps us along and gives us that fantastic illusion of feathers, that tricks the mind into seeing them.

The shading is fantastic! I love the work on the beak, especially, and how you are capable of differentiating between the hard, smooth beak and the softer feathers. So few people make this lovely distinction so it really brings something to the piece ^^ The wispy bits in the ears remind me so much of my kitten, it's not funny XD A lovely addition, and another little detail people tend to forget.

And I think that soft, calm eye looks beautiful.

However, I do feel this piece falls very short when it comes to the Steampunk elements.They are simply...not really there. Ear cuffs are not at all indicative of the genre or sub-culture and I must admit it took a few minutes before I worked out the odd nubbin on the head was meant to be part of a pair of goggles. Unfortunately, goggles do not Steampunk make.

I would really love to see you push the envelope with this piece, more, rather than relying on tired cliches - like goggles - which tend to indicate someone not well versed in the genre or subculture. I think you have the room - and talent - to explore more anachronistic elements with this character.

Think about what your character is. A gryphon. Goggles, of course, make sense with an aerial creature but what else could you do?
Aviator's cap with a copper feather, fastened in with buttons?
A mechanised ear where the other has been lost in a brawl or accident?
A scarf billowing out behind the character, pinned with a cameo of a loved one?
Mechanised wings (which are so much fun to draw because it really makes you think about the anatomy and composition of a wing!)?
Heck, mechanised anything. With that strong central focus on the eye, a mechanical eye would look incredible, surrounded by metal work poking through the feathers. Some gems inset if the character is wealthy. Rust if they're a lower class or empty insets they were a noble character has fallen on hard times and had to sell a gem.

The thing about Steampunk is that it's not something you can just go, "I added goggles and that makes it Steam!" What is really impressive, and always looks stunning, is when people think about their character and quirks, and then think about the bits and pieces you can add to highlight those quirks.

I would love to see you try this piece, again, with more detail and character design. Because Spix, here, looks beautifully done. I really love the way you handled that aspect of the piece. But the "Steampunk" is what pulled it down.