These pictures by Martiniere caught my eye:

http://www.martiniere.com/imagepages/variablestar.htm

and particularly this one:

http://www.martiniere.com/imagepages/shipandsea.htm

So far, actions and filters don't really seem to capture that look, so I'm speculating that it's only the human element, perhaps over-painting a render, that will take it further.

I'm wondering what I might do to add that human element, but without making an average render look like junk because I can't paint.

www.CambrianMoons.com