McLean's Endless Summer

[JGZ]

I also keep this setup all the way to final (like monsieur Platts). I think the trick is tonal/textural variation within the clipping masks. It keeps the borders between elements and materials more subtle. Then once you lock the linework and selectively color that in (or just ditch it, if you were clean enough from the get-go), everything falls in place nicely. The only opaque painting I do is some effects at the end on top.. such as fall off, rim light, smoke, a giant dick. Whatever it needs, you know. This is just for production stuff, though, and my own work I tend to nail a gesture, drop in the shadows, drop in the local values and then just render opaquely on top. Less control, but it's fun and fast.

Anyway, this is looking super sexy. Glad to see you around here !