Decided to emulate glass this time. Forget even hints this time; this one took over an hour and a half for me to be happy with it. Click on the link for the image's Flickr and links to the uber hirez version there.

ref: http://jlior.deviantart.com/art/dance-12-295077869 {you seen her before}

http://www.flickr.com/photos/34520999@N05/10972587115/

Wow, that is amazing! It really does look like glass.

Very cool look, Lyle!
Is the background black (#000000) or a tint?

I'm impressed Lyle, having tried to turn a photo into an Ice sculpture I can vouch for how hard it is to get this transparent effect without losing the details of the figure or them just looking inverted.You have done a wonderful job on this.

Very gorgeous Lyle, I would put that in my curio cabinet.

Excellent effect. Too bad it is not a simple 3 step process!

Apologize for the belated reply; very busy today. Thanks for all the comments. Also, I have to agree with you 100% 2-ton (and would agree with you at even a higher level should should it have existed). lol

That looks great Lyle

I decided to give it a quick try, but it mine doesn't hold a candle to your efforts.

The image you chose, seems to have been removed from deviant art.
Found this one instead, not really sure if Swarovski would have chosen this subject matter or not but none the less...
I call it Gym Fit.
Reference image from here

Your result still good Fluffy.

Impressive result L really look as ice , and the dark tone and bg enforce the illusion

Fluffbunny
is nice but a think that a so regular bg it is not too adapt,...or add complexity

if transparent as glass it should distort the BG , not a problem if is a solid color but become evident with a squared regular pattern in the BG

lylejk: wow, that looks very glassy! nice job. i think you chose a good image too, looks like something a gift store would sell.

Yes !
It was that type of displacement work that i intended for "add complexity" :
It is not needed , neither would have sense using a almost solid color as bg
On the other hand use a BG with a clear pattern but taking care of the displacement as you did in V2 usually enforce the sensation of depth

Now looks fine

Pretty much everything I do is an epiphany since I don't document what I do and soon forget how I did it. lololol

As you discovered your path for yourself, only you know how challenging it is to render things and why I despise even attempting tutorials since you always have nuance and you can't document that.