Here's the detail of the new texture technique I'm using. This is the resolution I actually do my work in but cropped down. I just started playing with the mesh warp tool in Paint Shop Pro and I like it. I think I already getting a nice 3D effect.

I seen many artist (most who have better lineart than what I can achieve) layer on a flat texture. Kinda takes away from their awesome work. I didn't want to fall in that trap so I experimented with the mesh warp. It turned out pretty easy to use. I used a 8x8 lattice for this one but plan to increase it to 16x16 for my next try.

Even though I got good results, I though of a better method. If I could use something like a bump map but stretch the texture on the high points and pinch it on the low areas, it would be even easier to use. All I need to make is a simple shaping map and use it to warp the texture layer. That tool might already exist. I'll have to go look for it. If not built in PSP, maybe a plugin somewhere. Meanwhile, I'll continue to play around with mesh warp some more.