Your opinions, please?

[Satur1n]

Preview of what I'm working on. Note the top-to-bottom difference in the shade of Haruhi's skin as the gradient overlay creates a faux light effect.
Does it look better with the gradient, or without? Consider the light source is to be directly above.

http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee437/Satur1n/Test2.png
http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee437/Satur1n/Test-2.png

Uploaded to Photobucket because it seems TT doesn't want to let me use attachments at the moment.

 

[reeperolaughter]

very nicely done, looks gr8, like the first one thats brighter

 

[dude123]

I'm partial to the first one as well. That might be different if the background weren't white and there were some context for the gradient. It is really a great piece. I like how Haruhi's nails look like they are actually drawing across her feet. My only critique is the the ankle on the victim's right foot looks a little wonky. It's sort of U-shaped. Please keep sharing your great work.

 

[Kocho-kun]

good good job! ^^ haha so that was what you were workin on last night on your stream.

anyways, yeah, i also like the first one. and it looks like you used that material texture on haruhi's uniform. hehehe noel, u has ticklish feets ;P

 

[Violetta]

Top one's definitely better. Light doesn't have that dramatic a fall off, and the gradient doesn't portray the shadows that a light would be casting. In the end it just makes them look submerged in something or dirty.

 

[Tkle 26]

I like the bright one better.

 

[yanneilucia]

Top one's definitely better. Light doesn't have that dramatic a fall off, and the gradient doesn't portray the shadows that a light would be casting. In the end it just makes them look submerged in something or dirty.

I agree with her. Don't be cheap now Satur1n... draw the shadows yourself. Like you did with Yoko.

 

[Satur1n]

I agree with her. Don't be cheap now Satur1n... draw the shadows yourself. Like you did with Yoko.

The gradient isn't meant to replace shading, just to aid in it. I still do the shading with the polygon lasso, brush and gaussian blur.