how to do the smoke effect like this reference??

maya 3d fluid

recently i practice the maya fluid simulation and experimenting the smoke simulation.
this is the smoke trail and melting smoke which done by me

it looks better improve then last time which i done the fire simulation

CG Challenge WIP 1

still in WIP
im still doing hair and color texture and render
hope can done

i decide to join a competition phantasy core massive cg art challenge
this is the character design for the next process of 3d modelling .

character design pratice 1

on the below is my reference
this is the frist time to design the steampunk character ..
i found some reference but when i design still thinking the weapon and equitment.
i choose general to become my character.the frist sketch. i want a general it looks abit robotic .but this pose and sketch not suit for me
the second maybe is better. the center of that circle maybe want to put a clock.
still thinking yet arg....

FIRE TEST

i done the fire simulation by maya 3d fluid.
it looks fake but im trying to find the way to solve this problem. waiting my next test

my speed paint

spend on 30 minute to paint this scene.still ok is rough