Wow, I never expected such an outpouring of help.  Y'all are the greatest. 

Random replies to you:

Electroglyph, your response is most helpful, not only in it's suggestions of  "enlivening" the scene but more so on just getting back to what I enjoy and not pressured to finish something that really shouldn't be finished. 

Rod, I got the IM.  I'll be in touch.

I really got discouraged trying to do something for the Extreme challenge.  I've two super ideas but can't make it work.  The advice given here has me satisfied with two mats I was able to achieve and just screw the rest of the image.  I will be satisfied with the mats and the knowledge I gained.  It was the 24hr render times only to discover the finished render just didn't work at all that takes the fun away.

PS
I had a John Nagy Learn to Draw when I was a kid.  It taught me shading.

I'll post the good portions of the effort to this thread.