Thanks for the comments people!

For me being able to actually see the detail is not important. Part of the wonder of NPR is that you can just hint at detail without actually modelling it fully- much like making little squiggles to represent complexities in traditional media.

This can backfire a bit in a scene like this if you're trying to show off detail, because fully modelled detail ends up only being hinted at, but I don't mind that. In fact I like it.

To adress another side of the issue: yes, it's photoshopped, no, it's not particularly cutting-edge or technologically innovative. If my goal here was to showcase top of the line 3d, then I failed miserably. But that's not my goal.


Have a lovely day!