Folks this is my latest effort, trying to use some of the tips given and trying to use only “Z”. Hope you like it. Most of the work was done using the smudge tool. I am really begining to like that tool as it allows you to move paint around like a pallet knife. 
WOW DeeVee . . . 
That is an exquisite image, very detailed & probably the best looking ZBrush created Rose I’ve seen so far. 
I can see that your starting to feel comfortable with ZBrush now. I can also see that the more you get to know ZBrush, the better your images get. 
I can’t wait to see your next surprise??? Have a good one . . . 
Mark.
Gorgeous image Deevee.
The rose and it’s colors is stunning. It looks so realistic, hard to believe it’s painted.
This is your best so far and I can’t wait to see more.
Wow is right. Very nicely done deevee!
A beauty DeeVee-great coloring.I like that smudge tool also.
VERY nice! The rose is almost photorealistic, especially toward its center. You’ve come a very long way in a really short time. The ZBrush background is nice, too.
One thing that you might consider from here is to put the rose, stem and background on different layers. That would help keep them from interfering with each other as you smudge. However, since the smudge tool also pretends that it’s interacting with an empty black background (seeming to drag black into your work), you may find that you have to create a temporary layer behind the rose with a compatible color. When you’re done constructing the rose, then you can delete that layer.
That’s only ideas, for whatever they are worth! Believe me; you’ve come about as close to mastery with this one as I’ve ever seen! And again, stunning work!
Thanks again for all the tips. I was holding a rose when I was doing this one, also the one before. I held the rose to the color on the screen to make sure I get the colors so close that it is difficult to tell them apart. I also began sketching. I did not sketch before, I guess all these little extra things do help in the long run. It would certainly be nice to try a tablet. Sometimes you just get it right quickly, at others it takes days.
GREAT job on the rose!! The center petals really makes me want to touch them!!! 
damn fine piece.
the blur tool was second on my list, until I saw the slanted look of this and the previous rose you did, deevee. it is as much akin to oil-painting as Painter can do, if not better.
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR> a thinking artist is no surprise <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Incredible!
I love this piece!
Outstanding work deevee.
This is classic oils. 
Beautiful rose, DV! The best rose I’ve seen done with Zbrush!
Once again I am humbled by the comments. Something I did not mention because I did not think it relevant at the time, but appears to be now. I am not all together a novice at painting. I did get a few Certificates in drawing and painting from the London School Of Arts when I was very young. As for ZBrush I am a novice but my apparent improvement is due to learning what the various tools can do and using them. I am not happy with modeling so I do not do much, although I should try harder. At 64 I tend to do things I want to do, not what I should do. I hope this explains what I am sure has a lot of you wondering about my improvement.
Fantastic rose, DeeVee!
As far as doing what you want to do, go for it! If you can paint it this well, you might not have to model it. It definitely worked here!
I think it’s your best yet!
This is a wonderful piece…amazing… .beeyoootiiful rose.
not wondering at all devee. only marveling =D
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR> a thinking artist is no surprise <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
That´s beautiful. Wonderful rose
Kerstin