Hand holding a gift composite

[buso23]

I have this image of a magician that holds his hand and would want the gift placed on his hand. I'm posting my try on it but I feel something is lacking.

Any ideas what's wrong ?


I'd also like to hear any suggestions or advice on how to make it more believable.

Thanks, Ljupco

[Tony W]

IMO the box would throw a very dark shadow on the gloved hand where it is supposed to contact

[MarthasDarkroom]

I agree, the white glove has far too much highlight, its almost blasted out to nothing. You need quite a dark contact shadow between them. I've attached a quick crude version to give you an idea. Also busting out the nearest little finger over the side of the box is a neat little technique to make contact look more realistic.

[edbayani]

here is another. Make a layer between gift and hand and paint with soft brush the shadow adjust opacity. Make another layer on top of the shadow layer and with a sharper brush paint on the darker secondary shadow nearer the edge of the box