Painting Tips

Composition

 * Start in greyscale, move on to colour when the composition of the image is completed.
 * Start by drawing some large shapes and find a eye-pleasing composition.
 * Mask image into layers.
 * Use broad strokes, don't add more detail to any part of the picture before it is required. If the image is recomposed, this also avoids details getting lost prematurely.

Lighting

 * Start painting occlusion, and add directional lighting later, when the light sources are determined.
 * Remember to take indirect illumination into account (colour bleeding)

Detailing

 * Zoom out to thumbnail size and check if the image reads well.
 * Use textures to add detail to rough surfaces.