> Quote - Am I right in thinking that the ideal texture should be hand painted, from such a reference, rather than just photo-processed?

if magazine and web photos are any indication, then what people want are airbrushed, monotone skin without pores or any hint of humanity.

i find it ironic that in 3D we toil over adding blemishes, wrinkles, stretch marks, pores, stubble, etc to our textures and fashion photography focuses on taking them away.