Below I'll provide my current WiP and albeit far from done ( about 8 hours in, really taking my time with this one) anyone with a good eye can tell I am having a problem with metal glares. You can see this on the parts that are mostly finished, like the chest plate, chains, and shoulder pads. Studying different guides, and watching several videos with a lot of different reference material this is the closest I've been able to recreate a dull metal texture. My experience with smooth metals didn't work out so well last time, I.E. (http://www.newgrounds.com/art/view/lurkinmcclerkin/contact) so I am at the point where I want to give up on achieving my desired look and tell myself it will come with more practice but I want to see if you fellows here have any tips on how you achieve your metal textures or if you can spot what I'm doing wrong before I just accept the piece and move on. I also plan on using smoother metals on the book bindings, shield, and metal on the coat hem so any help with smooth metals you can offer would be fantastic as well.
*notes*
I am using Photoshop 300 dpi with ONLY the basic hard and soft brushes, this is my only painting I haven't dared touch with custom brushes.
Here is the .psd if you wish to look it over or paint over, although I'm sure you could just do that as easily with the painting shown.
http://www.newgrounds.com/dump/item/efc6e8fc9c19e4c53f8dd2fd8796ee4a
