Pilot & Dino Portraits - 2.5d!

[Jon e.g.]

Hi Folks
I've been lurking around on conceptart for ages, but I've never been brave enough to post anything due to the high quality of work here! Recently I've been trying to improve my portfolio, and have been experimenting with combining my 3D & 2D skills. I've been using Silo3D to quickly model a basic object, and then throw it into Painter and work on it for 3 hours or so. I also used Photoshop to add details and textures. I guess it's kind of 2.5D because it's based on a render of a 3D object, but the original image gets totally lost in the process.
Anyway, these are the results so far!

I'm frantically trying to improve my skills, so feedback and advice is most welcome!

[Dahami]

You have nothing to worry about with your work not being of sufficient quality or something. The use of lighting, the texture, color, etc. is all quite well done. My only complaint, which isn't really a criticism of your talent but rather of your choice of subject matter or way of interpreting it, is that your dinosaur looks like a cartoon character representing some non-existent species of theropod with wide gaps between its teeth. I would imagine that was what you were going for, as you certainly have the skill needed to do a more realistic dinosaur if you wanted to. Really, though, your use of light, shadow and color is very well developed. Better than anything I've ever done.

[4889]

Your sense of modeling is very strong both with form and light though I think both of the pieces could use a little something more in the way of feeling as they both feel quite static and either piece would benefit from a looser crop, allowing you to detail some of their context.

[Jon e.g.]

Thankyou both!
I agree about the static-ness of them, especially the dino one. I keep thinking it looks like some kind of surreal family portrait photo! I'll be sure to try and make my next one more dynamic!
I had originally meant to add a better background to the first image, but what I had in mind would have taken a lot of work.. Perhaps sometime I'll finish it.

Oh, I also took a screengrab from Silo of the head model I made, to show what I started off with:

[Blue Disciple]

Very interesting. To be honest, I'm not too hipped on the 2D/3D trap. It'll boost your abilities for a while and then you may find it holding you back.

I like the contrast between the serious work and the dinosaur, very humorous.

[johanflod]

very nice style.

[Jessada]

very smooth!!
nice work.

[Justin.]

I think the texture could be done alot better. Everything else is the tops, but the texture looks splotchy and doesn't add to the overall feel of the surface like it should. Also, adding his eyelashes thicker might be a good idea. They are really thing and looks like he plucked out every other one- no offense, I'm just sayin'!

Very nice polish though, good work.