I have tried to do what he has done though mine never turned out the right way got close but no cigar. As to Hue Shifting I never tried, I've heard of it. What I do is pick a light shade as a base to create five darker shades that'll allow me to create my skins in the way they appear. I've tried adding shine to spots I believe should have a shine yet that never looks right so I went back to this and seems people like this. I'm still keeping watch for tutorials that can actually teach me a more detailed way of making skins as these feel too easy for me.

I forgot, when it comes to 1.8 skins I will be doing those when 1.8 is actually released in minecraft as of now they are 1.7.10 Once 1.8 is released I'll be doing 1.8 skins once a week while universals each day.