not exactly a tutorial

Hope this helps anyone who might benefit from it.

I think this kind of realism/cartoon mix is one of the simplest way of painting in realism. Start with the basic color (assuming it's relatively flat) outline with a darker final color and then fill in the in between. Repeat until satisfaction.

This is a copy from ADEL. it's an illustration from the Wired supplement Geekipedia. LOVE IT. Wish my painting was as good though it only took 20min or so.