I like the idea of doing something like that. I'm not going to lie, I've considered that. But how would it photograph? Would you have to shoot it from more than one angle?

I'm really not understanding you. Do you mean combining the two, such as photo-manipulation? Or, do you mean using a model for reference? I apologize but you lost me...

If you mean the latter, I don't have a problem with it at all. In fact, I think it's necessary (at least for the budding artist, like me)! If you mean the former, again, I have no problems; then again, to me it would photo-manipulation, not strictly traditional art.

if the 3D art blends well with the 2D art then it's OK.

One of my classmates is actually doing that for his thesis film. It looks AWESOME! I'm currently crafting a diabolical plan to kidnap him and make him do my backgrounds for me! >:3

In my opinion, a 3D base would help establish your outline better if you want a more realistic character.

=Other=

While it's an interesting technique, like most high contrast art, it can be over used.

Kinda like when neon colors appeared on the scene back in the 80's. they made your eyes bleed. Now, they've been blended into fashion very well and muted quite a bit, but they are there and work well.

The new vid game "Borderlands" is a good example. It's a bit much. .. but you learn to not notice it. Some new cartoons are using it too. It is a bit too stark for a full on development palette. If you could find a way to blend it in with other form, then that would be something.

Art is art no matter what you use and how you create it. There's no "cheating", there's simply tips and tricks to make things a bit easier. As long as you're not like, copying or tracing the whole thing it's perfectly fine.

Plus who gives a damn, it's your art and you do it how you want. Most people don't even pay attention to your effort and just care how the end result looks. Even if there's an artist who tired their very best at a pic if it doesn't look all "perfect" to most viewers the effort spent will mean nothing to them, so it has to mean it to the artist itself.

Art is art no matter what you use and how you create it. There's no "cheating", there's simply tips and tricks to make things a bit easier. As long as you're not like, copying or tracing the whole thing it's perfectly fine.

Plus who gives a damn, it's your art and you do it how you want. Most people don't even pay attention to your effort and just care how the end result looks. Even if there's an artist who tired their very best at a pic if it doesn't look all "perfect" to most viewers the effort spent will mean nothing to them, so it has to mean it to the artist itself.

I say other. "Sure, so long as the final product is what you want. But I can't quite picture what you are talking about."