Thanks everyone for the kind words!
@Marc, good idea I will implement this for my next piece. Problem is I collapse all my layers in 3D-Coat, so It is hard to screenshot the different stages I go through on completed pieces.

What I can do is write down what I generally do.
1 - I start out by rendering out a basic AO as a guideline (I tend to paint my AO manually but it is good to have a general idea of what it should/could look like). In 3D-coat you can do this easily by going to Texture - Render AO. The settings I tend to go for are approx 100 lights and smoothing steps of 10-15.
2 - I lay out the base colors. I tend to go for the darkest tone possible. It is easier to go toward lighter colors than it is from light to dark.
3 - I start painting in a second set of colors like the highlight at the centre of the wood on the shield. In this stage I also place guidelines for where I want my details to be.
For example the areas between planks.
4 - At this point I want to see some lighting information on my texture. I start by adding a lighter and sometimes less saturated color to the parts I want some highlights on.
At the same time I also look at my piece and think of adding a certain gradient from top to bottom.
5 - Once I have the basic look ready I add several layers for the extremer highlights. This is sometimes set to screen and sometimes set to color dodge.
6 - Once Im happy with the highlights I start to work on adding more interesting colors to darker areas and work on bouncelights. At the same time I also look for adding small details that might help sell the material definition.
7 - Fix up stages, gathering of feedback and implementing this.

With all my pieces I tend to redo things entirely if I hate how it looks. That is a tip I can give everyone out there. Never get too attached to your work. It will only limit you and it will also frustrate you.

Thanks Enalya! I seem to be everywhere

Hello all,

I have started working on something new based on concept art a friend of mine did.
It is still at the base of the texturing work and as @marc requested I will add a small breakdown of my process.

Here are the first few images of that breakdown. I will add the other stages once I have more.

Thanks Achronic! I hope the texturing process works out:) Usually it involves going all over the place and lots of trial and error:)

I've been able to work on this some more. Here are two more steps.
The current detailing step is a huge jump in terms of looks between step 6 and 7. It was nearl impossible to screenshot all the stages I went through.
In this stage I usually go all over the place and never focus too much on one area.

Let me know your thoughts/crits.

Hello all,

Back with something new. Decided to go for a fan art of League of Legends. I used a concept I found online. Here is what I have so far. The crystal is still a work in progress.

Thanks Achronic. What do you mean with appreciate 3D enough? I see quite a few people doing 3D right? Or are you referring to the amount of people responding to threads that have 3D?

There could be a bunch of reasons for this. One would be I never clearly asked for thoughts or feedback (which I should've done)
So with a bit of delay if you have any thoughts or feedback please let me know:)

Thanks Enalya, I think you mean the folds on the front of the pack beneath the straps?
You are welcome to highlight the areas.

Me again with some updates on the Nexus fanart.
Did some more work on the crystal and the flooring around the Nexus. It needs a lot of work still but I feel im getting there.

Calling this done: