The only area where it's really noticably grainy/off is the top-left region above the light band. But the dithering all over the left gives it a texture that doesn't quite work for the subject. Elsewhere it'd be fine, but I don't get quite the planetary vibe I should get from a smooth gradient. Hand-made gradients do have their place, and I would say this is it.

Yes it was very hard to make it perfectly round because of the shading, if you get what I mean. The AA kinda "blends"(?) with the shading and I have to use different values around the planet...

As for colors, I chose to be conservative, yes. I did not want too maky colors in this peice. I'm not used to it, and if I tried it could get out of hand easily.

On my monitor the dithering does not look too bad. Does it appear grainy to you?

It's not very round, which messes up the identifiability a bit. Jupiter is also pretty smoothed-out looking from so far away, so the dithering might not be the best choice here. I would splurge on a large orange ramp rather than dither so extensively.

It goes from tan to purple, how much more do you want xD

I really like the planet. faved. colors are good, maybe a bit more hue ajustment, but good

Care to eleborate? : /

really good shading on the planet! :O! but... the water is really brute, bad shading T_T

@ Darth: Yeah, thats it! *gives cookie* =P

@ Krysis: Thanks man. Means a lot coming from you. Taking a second look at this the tear looks a bit weird indeed. I may remove it, or change it so the planet is melting (I just found out today that the song is not teardrops of jupiter =P)

@ Peach: Yes he is crying. Because the song is Drops of Jupiter by Train =)

Drops of Jupiter by Train?  Just a guess ... anyway, neat idea!

It's cool. The teardrop doesn't blend that well though. Or maybe I'm just picky. Anyhow, very nice work and a sexy palette.

luv it :)
well done blackdragon. is it just crying?