Thanks for criticism guys it helps me improve on my other works in the future. I will take that into consideration.
Reason I went messy with the mask was I was trying for a different approach for shading. I'm guessing that isn't a good way then
and yea @ eric. I prefer GIMP because it is easier to make .gif though
There's nothing wrong with that kind of shading but it doesn't fit for what you are trying to do.
Jester, I really like how you have shaded you front bit of the mask on the first one, it gives a good effect like it is sticking out (If that makes sence) xP