Hey guys, I've been having some troubles with a certain CI that's part of my commission for and I need some advice on it. This CI is going on it's 3rd submission so I'd really like to get it submitted this time for her. I'll provide bigger images later (when I'm on my own computer) but here is the 64x64 image for now:

Current Denial reasons: Ambiguous shading/light source unclear Gradient or soft shaded instead of cel-shaded NOTE: Right now, the shading on the box is not correct for how a shadow would be cast on it.

My notes:As far as I can tell from the notes - the Necklace itself is fine, and it's only the box that is having problems. I've been trying to look at some other CW's on site that have plain black boxes for CI's that have been accepted but I'm still struggling with how I should do any sort of highlighting (I fear that if I don't put the bright grey it will be denied for the light source not being visible) While I can see my levels of shading, I guess I can see why the box looks cel-shaded. Do you have any advice? (Like I said, I'll upload a bigger working size image (so my 256x256 image) and the shading I'm doing will be easier to see, but until then advice is still appreciated).

[-Ryuga] hi! I don't have my tablet right now so im doing a really poor attempt with a mouse lol x.x

Basically, they're saying that the light source is unclear! Think about a little yellow sun sitting on the top left edge of your CI - this is your direction!

Following this, the right side of the box should be darkened since it is opposit from the light source. There are also a few places where it looks gradient shaded rather than cell shaded. Just try adding subtle shadows here and there and avoid soft edges transitions (particularly the lid of the box)

I made a quick (and not too good, sorry ;; ) example of what I mean!

Also when you shade in black, try making the highlights a tad bit colored. It could be 'almost grey a hint a redish or purpleish' but it definitely helps a lot!

If you have any other questions, please do ping me and I'll try to help n_n

Editing this post to re-ping you (hopefully). Going off of your example the CI is now this: . How does it look?

( throwing a ping your way to show you the changes)

[-Ryuga] looks nice :) hopefully this is what they are looking for (sorry I know very little about shading :( )

I hope the post edit sent a ping out to Cathii, so I can get their opinion on it. I know I went through and removed one level of shading (I think that was what was giving it such a soft shaded look - too many in between levels of shade) and widened the other levels so hopefully the cel-shading shows up a lot better. The one part that I think might still need fixing is the right hand side of the boxes lid, it looks too dark.

[-Ryuga] Just try and re-ping or I can if you like :)

[-Ryuga] hi! I didn't get your ping - I actually clicked on the thread coincidentally n_n If you want to re-ping someone that was already pinged in the same post, edit the post to space out the @ Cathii and edit it. Then re-edit the post to erase the space, it'll work n_n

For the ci - it looks much better! The only thing I'd change is to decrease the white highlight where I marked the arrow - it's supposed to be in partial shadows so it shouldn't be so prominent!

And also try adding a bit of paler lines at the bottom right of each pearl - right now it looks almost gradient shaded because it doesnt reflect like a pearl would! I made a rough example with my mouse (:

If it helps, I have a tumblr on which I used to post larger CIs - many of them have spheres/beads, it might help you understand a bit! http://c4thii.tumblr.com/ n_n