You don't even need clipping masks to blend. Contrast, lighting, shadows, depth. First things that came to my mind that are far more important that covering everything with clipping masks.

I suppose clipping masks are sort of an easy way out. I should invest way more time on blending naturally

Clip.masks can be used occasionally for different effects but i wouldn't rely my blending on it.

You should learn both ways, all different things, combine and compromise them in your work. Don't overuse one certain thing, it is always a bad thing. Explore wide options that Adobe products have to offer you.

R e a d T u t o r i a l s .

Just finished with this, inspired by the smudge sig I posted up there.

This post was edited by Lwe12345 on Oct 16 2012 10:21am

why did you use the same render lul

lighting is bad, this is too chaotic also


txt is bad

Your eloquently put constructive criticisms are hard to decipher with how complex they are, maybe tone it down a bit?

edit: lul



This post was edited by Lwe12345 on Oct 16 2012 10:23am

You got really good O_O Good work

take out text also take out the huge splatter brushes infront of him and fix the sword.