Good lighting and materials make all the differance.

No matter how good the model without good lighting and good materials it’s crap. Have a look at this:

http://dittohead.8m.net/custom.html

looks allright, certantly not raytraced though.
A more detailed object would show off you lighting technique better.

No matter how good the model without good lighting and good materials it’s crap. Have a look at this:

actually, ive seen some good pictures done with JUST blenders color blend and color band =D they were very nice too, even better than some real lighted pics…
i like your mini tute, the word mini really is justified =D lol
i think the object would look much cooler if you were to add a texture, such as wood… besides, “no matter how good the material is, without good lighting(or color band) and good texturing it’s crap” =D

hehehe

-chris