That looks much better. It's much easier to read and the shapes make a bit more sense than the last attempt. You could try painting some subtle localized dirt where the plates meet if you have a pen tablet. Keep it up!
Some progress on the glass and various small changes. Not sure what to think about the glass. My tablet is also dying on me so I hope I can finish this before it completely dies. Edit: Added some normal map detail
Wow, most of the functions of the first picture are already covered via right-click menu. (If not for hotkeys) Maybe they should have the RMB to go "click me!" for first-time users. Edit: Come to think of it, looking at that are they starting to shape their UI for tablet PCs?
traditional art pieces like pencils and stuff? crazY I've just beginning to get good with a tablet. honestly though, just did this since my last reply, is it better than most of the stuff in my portfolio? despite just being a head?
oxynary: you can totally avoid those "z-pops" by switching your tablet into data recognition mode. does wonders for other painting apps, too. btw. no love at first sight for me. but that was to be expected i guess, i'm just strange...
I am more of a programmer than an artist, but I still enjoy art. Upgrading my system is a much higher priority than a tablet right now :( Thanks for the advice guys. I'll try to save up for such things in the near future :D
A good way is to do a wireframe paintover; it helps give you an idea of the mesh will layed out before you start modelling. I don't have my tablet with me today at work but I found an image that explains how this is done.
Yup. http://boards.polycount.net/showthread.php?t=67382 Also, try to model with a tablet, not just the mouse. + Use as much freeform modelling solutions (raw sculpt+retopo) whenever you can. Maybe do some more oldschool texturing too ?
Okay here's image number 1! This one is sort of inspired by Mega Mind. I started painting this on my 'Bamboo Fun' tablet. I guess I like this enough to post it but I am too bored with it to really finish it at the moment.
Vista hates my wacom tablet/drivers with a passion and requires me to perform a ritual before starting photoshop. Other than that it hasn't been too much of a problem lately. I agree with polyhertz on this, it does sound like a hardware issue.