Best of 2021
The winner is: 
Here are the top 23 after my first place icon. I would've done the top 10, but there were too many ties! ^^
01-05
06-10
11-15
16-20
21-23
I wasn't surprised at the icon that won. I really liked how it turned out, but it was actually pretty simple to make. The textures really did all the work. I only added a gradient over IU (to tweak the contrast a bit) and the red "dark" as text. The rest was just layering different textures on different modes and then using paint daubs to sharpen.
But I am really surprised at some of the other ones that everyone voted for. I didn't really like #3, but a lot of people seemed to like that one. I liked the coloring, but it seemed so bare. I added the text, but I couldn't find the perfect text for "magic." orz
I was also surprised that #7 made it. I didn't really like how it turned out, especially the text. orz
Same for #10. I've always liked those icons and large graphics that do the text over the subject's eyes, but, for the life of me, I can't seem to get it to look right!
And here some of my own personal favorites in no particular order.
01-05
06-10
11-15
16-20
21-25
26-30
Best of 2010
Best of 2011
Best of 2019
Best of 2020
Here are the top 23 after my first place icon. I would've done the top 10, but there were too many ties! ^^
01-05
06-10
11-15
16-20
21-23
I wasn't surprised at the icon that won. I really liked how it turned out, but it was actually pretty simple to make. The textures really did all the work. I only added a gradient over IU (to tweak the contrast a bit) and the red "dark" as text. The rest was just layering different textures on different modes and then using paint daubs to sharpen.
But I am really surprised at some of the other ones that everyone voted for. I didn't really like #3, but a lot of people seemed to like that one. I liked the coloring, but it seemed so bare. I added the text, but I couldn't find the perfect text for "magic." orz
I was also surprised that #7 made it. I didn't really like how it turned out, especially the text. orz
Same for #10. I've always liked those icons and large graphics that do the text over the subject's eyes, but, for the life of me, I can't seem to get it to look right!
And here some of my own personal favorites in no particular order.
01-05
06-10
11-15
16-20
21-25
26-30
Best of 2010
Best of 2011
Best of 2019
Best of 2020