Playing with 2 of Southerns’ Alphas, converted to Stencils, along with an imported gemstone model…15 minutes to a finished image, including highlighting, all of course in ZBrush… 
Nice work SC. Turned out great, you are slowly encouraging me to import or make some Alpha’s. I guess it saves a lot of time.
Nice image,thanks for the breakdown as that info is always useful for future projects.
Dave
Very good stuff my friend—yes working with alpha’s is very good–I worked with Gamma’s and now I glow in the dark----and my nose fell off 
i love using alphas for different effects! Great image Stonecutter!
Ooops-- I goofed
--My monitor gets wet when I add the milk to my Alpha…bits…oh never mind…I’m really confused --it’s those damn gamma rays-- make me push the wrong buttons…
:o
looks great sc… i like using alphas myself…