Linda From Maine wrote:
I do like #2 better. As far as it looking too much like a toy, you could post a large file size to pp forum, and ask for editing suggestions.
There is a lot of creativity there (just check out my last post to that forum asking for fun versions); I could even see some Topaz Simplify possibilities with this :)
Of course you can do the same here too; TheeGambler's challenge with the blue bomb produced amazing results!
One way to diminish the plastic look is to "paint" semi-transparent textures onto the surfaces in editing. Takes quite some work to do it convincingly, especially for me who is not fluent in that sort of editing. A good skill to have, that's for sure.