I would take number 1. From the colors and shading it immediately pops, especially next to the other entries, without overdoing it. The highlights do also have the most character and unlike some of the others it doesn't try to be 3D. The contrast is very good as well while some of the other ones are too dark, lack contrast or look too pastel like. The line weight is just fine while especially number 4 is too thick and 3 is way too thin. All in all number 1 just has it all: eye details, balanced contrast, good line weight, good coloring and shading.
#7 especially in the zoomed out view at the end which most of the packaging will be viewed from that distance* #1 is the first runner up, again catching from a distance but there is not dramatically a stand out between 2nd and 5th place.
I have to say Number 7 would be my best choice, second place I add would be number 1, I have seen packets of everything, it is so much similer way of how the character looks, I don't think I missed anything out and yes it is the eyes to pick.
i like 2. not only are the lines not black, but the lighting works better than 1. 1's lighting is off, the shadows and highlights are both coming from the same direction, which just bothers me. lighting on 7 bothers me also. 8 and 2 are the best lighting, imo as a fellow professional digital artist for the last 25+ years. the other lighting bothers me and i can't get over it.
#1 catches my eye straight away. The colors are a bit bolder and the shading is more direct but doesn't try to "round out" the characters. I like the coloring of the eyes better, the grey is a good choice over white. The spine on the top of Cthulhu's head is better as well as the mouths on Shub-Niggurath. I would pay money for those stickers.
I like #1 the best. Also, I think it is very significant that this artist not only responded with very high-quality art, but they were also the fastest. This is the type of person I would like to work with.
#2 looks appealing, i like the use of highlights in the eyes, but think it might look nicer with darker lines. (not necessarily black lines like how everyone else has it, kinda looking at 8's darker color line work) :^)👍
8 looks best but 1 might be best for stickers 🙂 When you are kickstartering physical printed models, having sensible upper limit (hundreds? thousands? subcontracting?) might come handy in case everything goes better than expected 🤔
I would go with number 8 and ask that the outlines be color coded to the model colors. 7 and 1 are my second and third choices, also color code outlines.
I think i will go with number 2, they use a colored border and little shiny detail is good and the line art and everything was solid Maybe you can give advice for using more vibrant color for the artwork
#2, 3, 4, and 6 are too flat. #7 is nice but the shading on the red guy makes hi look like he is wearing a jester hat, so that's out for me as I know that's not how that character should look. So it comes down to #1 and #8 for me. Honestly #8 just looks more 3 dimensional to me and considering this is related to 3D printing I think you have to go with the one that looks the most 3 dimensional. Plus the eyes look better to me on #8. So #8 all the way. BTW you just went up 3 more notches on the cool gauge for doing 3D Cthulhu models (that are cute as a bonus). That is so awesome (or rad like they said back in my day).
