Hi Ze
Do you know this one ?
Of course, same hallucinate famished glance 
Pilou
In fact guys, I have more than once in the past started 2D/2.5D threads…If you check back a ways you will find them.
Personally I think that a lot of this discussion gets a little silly, because it’s ALL 2D anyway…
(Unless one of you guys has a ‘holotank monitor’ out there… )
I’m a gem carver, and 3D is what I do…I can hold it in my hand…I’ve seen people here playing with layers, models, and lights, when the piece they produced would be 1000 times easier, if they filled a layer with colour, and just PAINTED the damn thing!
Here’s a suggestion…
Start another 2D thread if you want. I will contribute, and I am sure others will as well. That’s a proactive approach, rather than starting an ancient and unanswerable thread once again. 
@ Stonecutter: I am used to getting ignored whenever I state/stated that all (most) works from ZBrush will land in wonderful 2D.
(Just recently matvara suggested to take one of my 2D’s to 3D ;), and I told why I would not do this). There are some folks out there, that might take a ZBrush-model and bone it, animate it in some modeler, but that is a minority.
The difference: as long as you work 3D in ZBrush, you can take your model into your virtual hands and move it around. Maybe two years from now we can even feel and smell it . but for the moment - there is a 3D hype with all it’s good and bad facettes. And: as long as nobody is forced to hop on that train…!?
Painting is quite a different matter: it takes some time to paint a head and getting good results. 3D-ZBrush-wise: get a Script and — BINGO, some small changes and there you are. But, that’s generated “art”. Nothing more, nothing less. I am not to judge what’s right or wrong here - all I can say - for me, personally - is: painting is in no way more limited then all this 3D-stuff will ever be.
For your suggestion: elry challenged those members that would accept such a challenge. To hang another badge on this thread - what for?? It’s fun, and I am waiting still for his shot :D!!
In addition to that: I thought it was a nice and easy way to bring the 2D/2,5D-tools up front again.
The original thread has long been broken, and I can see no reason why you should not partake/contribute.
Think it is a matter of principles that get’s in the way here?
@Pilou: and I felt bad because of this “minimal” monster in this pic!!
To tell the truth: there are moments when gore will contribute to a piece of art, ok. But, ever more often I see how people bend down art to gore. What I mean: it might not be enough to be drastic, and “behind” a piece of art there should be more then that what our eyes can see. To much to ask for?I guess not.
Good points all, Z!
Actually I think it’s a matter of perception…
And I remember thinking, in regard to that comment about ‘turning your piece into 3D’, how is it MORE 3D to have a stuck-down model, than what you already acheived with your excellent linework? I almost commented to that, but then realized it was pointless…
(2D OR 3D???)
Stonecutter: i am not on a mission to bring traditional drawing back to the 3D-World - allthough I still have the hope that a small 2D-thingie here and there might be enough to make somebody curious. Small steps, right - but like I said: it is a whole lot of fun for me, so: if nobody wants to try - it’s not my loss !!
In the end it will be of no matter at all what you pic contains. Be it 2D, 3D, smear some grease into the corner of a room (!!) >> there will be ALWAYS someone that declares this work as “art”.
Now would be the right time to finally try and define “art”?! Just leave it!!
Forgot, sorry >> about your pic: like I said, it does not matter what methods you used to get a certain feel to it! the best you can acchieve is - only my opinion - to reach some folks that might feel the same as you, doing your pic - or get to someone that can discuss her/his contrary feelings.
That is why I am NOT fond of “nice” as a statement regarding any pic :D!! My dog is “nice”, even my mother-in-law is “nice” (at times ), but my pics are either garbage or the contrary.
Hi Bone
Cool gallery !
Simplicity and perversity 
I am fan of the zoom detail 
In another style of “trompe l’oeil”
gallery of french painters
Bonecradle: I like the way those pics were done - mixing all kinds of recourses! But, what’s the question-mark about?? Puzzled!
A failure to commit :qu: A little twist at the end :qu: An invitation to discuss :qu:
Bonecradle: any relations to Cassandra?? It’s said that she had a certain tendency of being…vague!?
Vague? I like to call it internet camouflage. Yes, I am a furtive fellow :rolleyes:
Back to the question in hand, Aurick did once say that the 2.5D tools had not been forgotten, but we await the definitive announcement, the apperitif as it were, about included features.
I try something doddling with only 2,5D 
With a rule at the start
Fill the Canvas with a color (else nothing will be possible 
:small_orange_diamond: just only use the Smudge tool Zadd/Zsub!
Change Size of brush authorized
Change Color authorized
Alt + Smudge = Zsub/off authorized
Ctrl + Smudge = Put the Color
And more speedy possible
Hope you try
Have happy zbrushing!
Pilou
ps
I have started a new thread with these rules ! Post on it
Special
Speedy Painting Thread with a Rule
Nice one M’sieur Pilou!
(You should try filling the canvas with a very dark tone, and use the Color Enhancer, Highlighter1 and Highlighter 2…
If you use the Highlighter2, you can set the maximum amount of ‘lightening’, and can ‘carve’ an image from the background…)
This is an image that I posted a long time ago, done just with a ‘fill’, and only the Color Enhancer brush, as an example…
… due to that darn time zone: I am late >>> exactly that, stonecutter, would have been my answer to Pilou: just shadow and light, based on the colour of the canvas. It might take a bit of patience, but it’s time well spent!!
@bonecradle: considering “improving” the 2/2,5D-tools >>> I can think of no “major” change that would make them more useable - do you?
Pi: imagine you’d cut your surfing time down by 10/20%: that would mean a lot of pictures from you!? Just the fact that you are known here as the master of links - that doesn’t mean you will not HAVE TO post a handmade at least once a week - does it!?
Think of all the images yo have lost during the last 10 years of surfing!!!
Almost forgot: I DO like your pic!!
For Ze and Stone
The paint above respect the rule
Nothing except the smudge tool !!!
So it’s normal that’s there is no ehancer
It’s the Rules (now some directive Add of this
As all pictures made with this rule should be have a same familiar render !
Very smooth colors and aspects
Of course free to you to pass over for your own rendering
Have happy Zbrushing!
Pilou
Ps Maybe it’s a bad rule, it’s just a try
But when the rule is strict, that’s oblige to find some tricks for pass over :rolleyes:
Hi Ze
Alas we have only one life
And maybe for the beginning of all my posts I made just 5 “hand made” with pen graphic :rolleyes:
(can you consider hand made, build with a compute?)
I have no time for make more !
(and I don’t give the time of the picture above :D)
Too much domains of interest!
And maybe “the parable of talents” torture me
Anothers paint for me, and it’s a pleasure for me to show that on the Net !
Have happy surfing and painting!
Pilou
Pi >>> “handmade”: you are right , but even in traditional painting/drawing you will not sharpen your pencils between thumb and forefinger, you will rely on them tin-canned colors from Lukas, so if you adjust your drawing tool once (Jenny was done with a 2 pixel tip and the eraser) - I guess this comes very near to “handmade”?