Several different brushes, lights, gradients and hopefully good blending.

The large space on the left is reserved for text.

Nice Work!

GOA.Luke*BK*

Thanks

Lookin good. You are definitely improving.

Suggestions...

I don't like the crack brushes in the background. You should fill that space with something else.

I also think you should do some more smudging.

I like the flares, but it feels like they're in the way instead of drawing the eye to the focal point.


Overall, great job! Definitely an improvement. I wasn't half that good when I was first messing around.

I want to use c4d's, but I still have no luck with them and smudging is still killing me. I have looked at all the tutorials and used what I see but half of it eludes me.

Yeah just keep playing with it and you'll get it eventually.

Okay, try this:

Instead of smudging, try messing with blurs.  Motion blurs, radial blurs, blurs that are mostly transparent and layered.  Might be easier than smudging.

Are you using Gimp or PS?

Overall though, this is going to be a winner!  Nice work!

I use photoshop elements 9.Thanks for the tips.