The differences between: Non-Rendered x Rendered

What even is Rendering, to begin with? 

Well, to be honest with you, I didn't start rendering my artworks up until recently, a year and a half ago, and it's only now that I understand its importance better.

Rendering is that last phase of a piece of media where we'll decide what'll remain the same and what'll need to be edited out of the bigger picture.

What'll need more detailing or less texture, and so on...

It ensures the final product has the desired harmony and feeling, that the composition works just right and the colors are blending the way they are supposed to. Many times, it's where artists will experiment with effects and filters! Like gradient maps, color curves, tone correction, saturation, etc.

It's basically what brings the artwork together into another level, for a majority of artists out there, in all kinds of medium available. Sometimes, it's literally what makes or breaks an artwork's quality.

Ever thought 'just one more little detail'? Just to notice it looked better before?

Welcome to rendering hell. I do not recommend!

But that being said, 

Here's an example of a Non-Rendered artwork:

And it, but after being Rendered:

D'you notice the difference? Because fuck, I do.

It looks so much more smoother and detailed on the second picture in comparison to it's cell-shaded counterpart. It's insane how rendering can completely change the vibe or the direction you might be going with an artwork!

It add's what I like to call finesse to the quality of the work.

Although some artists specialize in not rendering their artwork and focusing on styles like Comics, which use a very sparing kind of final revision, or cartoonish, which don't even comtemplate the use of those unless in special occasions, etc.

Hopefully this has cleared any doubts left between Non-Rendered and Rendered!