As far as character textures go; I'd wholeheartedly agree on Danae.  My own personal favorite is Rebelmommy; but, Mihrelle looks like he/she will quickly pass RM up.  I just got Mihrelle's new-ish Elena character/texture and it renders about as well as anything I've seen so far.  Could possibly pass up Dublin as my all-time favorite character/texture.  For older stuff I love syltermermaid although some of her characters look a tad too young to be appearing in any of MY renders.  For african/american characters, Reciecup does make some nice skins.. I just think his/her character dial-ups are horrid.  About the only place I go off-rendo for characters is illusions designs as every since character I've gotten from them(74 at last count) is utterly fantastic.