First & foremost, regardless of "technical brilliance", I like to see something actually depicted....a story, a song, a thought, an emotion...whatever. Even if one were to sucessfully utilize every trick, technique, & gimmick in their repetoire, if poor Vicky is jus standin' there in the temple w/ her sword & a vacant expression on her face, I ent gonna care for it. Yes, I do still like the "technical brilliance" as well, but I often see it on a "personal" scale, i,e: following a particular artist's growth/ progression or lack thereof. This could be sumpin' as simple as "Newbie-X" managing to do a decent hand pose (maxx's point #4), or "Veteran-Y" ditchin' their normal 6 hrs of postwork & lettin' the render stand or fall on it's own. And finally, a nice set of boobies is always a good ting ;-)

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This user has been known to swear. A LOT!