Currently participating in the #3DInktober2019 challenge on Sketchfab. Here's what I did yesterday for the Day 1 theme: Ring :) Sketchfab: https://skfb.ly/6NJZr
"Yet another approach would be to create a texture atlas and map the lowpolys UVs to it." A bit OT but this brings to mind a Scifi environment mapped to just one 256*512 texture, consequently in the process as a lurking noob had my mind fairly blown into orbit unable to decipher the wherewithal how it was made, although…
http://www.poopinmymouth.com/tutorial/formal_art_training.html I do some part time teaching and the advice here rings pretty true. Hope it helps. Cheerio
Add an edge loop (or two) at the base of the outer ring instead of outside the perimiter (your third shot). This should give the normals room to transition.
Well, my first Sketch of the Throne: It's composed of Needles as backboard, Rings for arm rest and a Thimble for seating. I'm trying to change the thimble by a Dice