General ConCrit Thread For Graphics

I had the idea, because several people asked for critic on their work in the Graphic Contest, but hardly ever got them. Some people already showed interest in this thread so here we go.

This thread is about getting Constructive Critic for your work like icons or other graphics you created. You have the possibility to post several examples of your latest batch and other people can tell you what you can improve on them. It will almost work like the voting in the LIMS thread, just that people will know who they give their critics too.

There will be no critics without a good set of rules.

*****

RULES FOR THE SUBMITTER

You are allow to post up to 10 images of avatar size (max 125x125 pixels) and up to 5 images up to signature size (max. 300x300 pixels) in one post.
At least 5 of your images MUST be Harry Potter related. The rest can be of any other fandom etc. (the staff gave their OK, that I am allow to handle it like this)
To make it easier please give your images numbers.
There will be no submitting of any images that violates the Forum Rules (http://www.cosforums.com/showthread.php?t=22999) in any case.RULES FOR THE REVIEWER

ALL critic you give on the work of other people MUST be constructive. That means that you should make sure that it applies to the technic they used and the overall appearance and not on the actual content of the images.
There will be no attacking of other people's work. Saying things like "that is rubbish" or "I don't like that character" are not allowed. (See point one here).
Of course are you allow to tell the other person which one your favourites are, but tell them the reason.
When you give critic on another member, please either quote their post or link to it. It's easier to see what your are referring at.
Don't start to argue with other members who gave their critic on the same images. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion.
Also here, please follow the Forum Rules (http://www.cosforums.com/showthread.php?t=22999)Please bear in mind that the opinion of other members can vary from your own. I'll try to make sure that all critic will be constructive, but there's still the possibility that two different opinions encounter eachother. However should there be any problems with other member and you feel attacked, please contact NadineTink, Rell or myself. We'll try to handle it via a staff member.
Thank you.

ooo, great idea Tenshi! Hopefully this will be really successful. I've thought about a thread like this before, but didn't think it would happen :clap:

ooo, great idea Tenshi! Hopefully this will be really successful. I've thought about a thread like this before, but didn't think it would happen :clap:
I hope that a lot of people take part on it. :D *bribes with chocolate*

No need to bribe me with chocolate! Thiis is a great way to assure that the other graphics threads stay more or less on topic. Good Job, guys! (Is that considered constructive! ;) )

Before I post any images I would like to ask a few questions, if I may....

What is your focus when you work? Do you work with the theme interpretation or do you work with visuals first? Do you wing it (my usual :lol:) or do you plan color palettes, effects desired, etc?

How do you choose your subject? I know in the contest we all are given a subject but how do you choose within that subject? Especially with HP actors who have done alot of work. What do you try to convey?

Within the context of the contest what do you look for when voting? Unique interpretation, style, visuals, special effects? When does simple work? When does complex work? (I'm thinking animation here or multiple layers/images.)

I was looking for a thread like this the other day. Thanks for opening it Tenshi.
Can we use it to help us decide on out graphics contest entries? I have two different backgrounds for the DA Siggy and can't decide which to use.

Before I post any images I would like to ask a few questions, if I may....
Well, obviously there are a thousand different ways to approach it, but I'll try to explain what I do.

What is your focus when you work? Do you work with the theme interpretation or do you work with visuals first? Do you wing it (my usual :lol:) or do you plan color palettes, effects desired, etc?
Sometimes I'll see a picture I love and just have to mess with it/make something out of it. But more often, I come up with a concept/setup first and then find the pictures, textures, colors, fonts, etc. to fit. I find it really difficult to make something without a "muse" :lol: by that I mean, an idea of what I want to do not just a topic. That's why I rarely do all of the topics in the graphics contest (and why LIMS is a challenge!).
How do you choose your subject? I know in the contest we all are given a subject but how do you choose within that subject? Especially with HP actors who have done a lot of work. What do you try to convey?
I try to be creative and do something different (which sometimes turns out like ****). If the subject was "Harry Potter", I'd troll through my screencaps to find a picture I'd never seen used before, and try to use a technique I'd never used before. I look through lots of livejournal icon & tutorial pages and save the ones that I really like, and use their setups and techniques.
Within the context of the contest what do you look for when voting? Unique interpretation, style, visuals, special effects? When does simple work? When does complex work? (I'm thinking animation here or multiple layers/images.)
Honestly, I think the #1 thing I look for is cleanliness! I don't like (accidentally) messy icons. Graininess where it should & could be smooth, blurry images where they should & could be sharp, messy edges...you get the idea. That's my biggest pet peeve. Second, I look for creativity--an interesting take on the subject, a well executed technique that goes well with the topic. Not just a cropped picture with a border around it and some text slapped on--I think that's just a bit lazy. Though, I obviously don't say this because sometimes it's hard to tell how much effort people put in, but if you can't see it...:shrug:
I forgot to answer about the "complex" part. Some things can be extremely simple and yet very effective, or complex to make and yet look very simple. I tend to dislike things that are really busy, 4 opaque photo layers on top of each other, that sort of thing. But it all depends on the execution.
So that's as honestly as I can answer, and what I at least try to strive for, if I don't always quite get there.

How do you choose your subject? I know in the contest we all are given a subject but how do you choose within that subject? Especially with HP actors who have done a lot of work. What do you try to convey?
I try to be creative and do something different (which sometimes turns out like ****). If the subject was "Harry Potter", I'd troll through my screencaps to find a picture I'd never seen used before, and try to use a technique I'd never used before. I look through lots of livejournal icon & tutorial pages and save the ones that I really like, and use their setups and techniques.

I like trying new techniques too! I was really psyched about my special challenge entry and even more psyched that it got a vote or two. I've never tried that mosaic technique before...although it COULD have been better...

Honestly, I think the #1 thing I look for is cleanliness! I don't like (accidentally) messy icons. Graininess where it should & could be smooth, blurry images where they should & could be sharp, messy edges...you get the idea.

For the longest time I over used the blur tool because I am still not fluent with masking...I've tried really hard to develop alternate techniques to cover my deficiencies in that regard (love the liquify filter here). I think my pet peeve is visual overload i.e there is so much going on I'm not sure where the main focus should be...

I was looking for a thread like this the other day. Thanks for opening it Tenshi.
Can we use it to help us decide on out graphics contest entries? I have two different backgrounds for the DA Siggy and can't decide which to use.
Hmmm I am much in favour when you let us decide after the voting. I think it's unfair towards other people who don't let other people decide before hand which one is better. And you aren't going to win anything special in the Contest anyway. It's just for fun.
Later you can ask if the other image was better and then you can use the suggestions for future images.

Before I post any images I would like to ask a few questions, if I may....

What is your focus when you work? Do you work with the theme interpretation or do you work with visuals first? Do you wing it (my usual :lol:) or do you plan color palettes, effects desired, etc?
I first see that the graphics I make fit the topic. That's important for other contests I take part on (but there the image is mostly provided). The main thing when I found the right image is to look what you can do with it. Some images are not suited for several styles, so I use another one. I don't plan before how exactly the icon shall look like in the end. I start and add layers and textures and play around with curves etc, till I like the result. But usually the ones I make are pretty simple first and then I try give it the final touch in the end.

How do you choose your subject? I know in the contest we all are given a subject but how do you choose within that subject? Especially with HP actors who have done alot of work. What do you try to convey?
When there's a topic given (and in most cases it is), then I search for several images that fit under that topic. For example I get several Lupin images and from this images I decide which one is most suited for making a good icon out of it. That decides the composition of the image (Lupin alone is far better than him surrounded by zillions of other things), the quality and whether you can crop it properly.

Within the context of the contest what do you look for when voting? Unique interpretation, style, visuals, special effects? When does simple work? When does complex work? (I'm thinking animation here or multiple layers/images.)
I am looking after the quality of the images ( too oversharpened or too blurry one is a no go for me), if it's cluttered full with textures (the more subtle the better). Complex icons can be nice, but often people overdo it and clutter it full with several images and then howmany layers on the top. Simplicity is the key word here. I also look at the colouring and various other things.
I never look after the unique interpretation or if there were used special effects, only after the way the images were done.

This thread is a great idea! Someday soon once I've made more graphics I will post for some concrit. :)

I stopped in to check this out and was amused to see there are no graphix posted yet. :D

TTFN

No one wants to be first huh? I guess I'll start out :scared:

So, here's a variety of things I've done - I would really like to hear things that I could improve on, and also, techniques that you guys think I could use to enhance the icons I'm making. I'm not looking so much for specific critiques of individual icons (though you're welcome to give them!) as much as general techniques and strategies that I could be using to improve my style.

For reference, I am using GIMP.

Thanks

HP related:
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j250/rell_02/lims7.2.png http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j250/rell_02/hptext.png http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j250/rell_02/LIMS6.png http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j250/rell_02/LIMS5-1.png http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j250/rell_02/TEHEVOLsquid.png

Not HP related:
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j250/rell_02/quill.png http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j250/rell_02/soap.png http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j250/rell_02/nclbtest.gif http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j250/rell_02/shackqueen.png

yay for being brave to go first Rell!
Hopefully I can be helpful :lol: I'll try to put a set of my own up this weekend so I can take what I give.

I generally really like your style, and can sometimes pick yours from the line up :D Like I said before I love clean icons and yours are always that! :tu: gosh it feels really strange to be critiquing in this sort of format, cause it makes it seem like I should know what I'm talking about...anyway, grain of salt
I guess my general advice would be don't be afraid to go big and "out of bounds" (though not always literally). For example, I love the light effect on the Snape icon, but I'd love it more if it were bigger--balanced still with opacity but highlighting the main event.
Same with the Hermione icon--I love the inset, but I think it would be more effective bigger and offset.
Again, same idea with the Slyth!Harry icon (by the way, I don't remember seeing this before, it's really cool! great idea and love the background coloring!) I think the text would have more *pow* if you used different sizes or even different fonts to mix it up.

So yea generally just going bigger and not being afraid to be purposefully messy or off because it can be really effective.

I am still very much a learner so I'm in here looking for tips but I'll answer the questions anyway!

What is your focus when you work? Do you work with the theme interpretation or do you work with visuals first? Do you wing it (my usual ) or do you plan color palettes, effects desired, etc?
Usually the first thing I do is look for as many good pics as I can find. Then I select the one I want ot use - sometimes I can't decide so I start doing two - although with Helena Bonham Carter I ended up doing four because I found so many great pics of her!
I then fiddle with the colour, contrast, brightness, curves until I get the pic looking how I want for the graphic - so it suits the mood. When choosing colours for text and other features I tend to use the colour picker to select colours from the image itself either in a colour that is harmonious with the main colour or one that contrasts.

How do you choose your subject? I know in the contest we all are given a subject but how do you choose within that subject? Especially with HP actors who have done alot of work. What do you try to convey?
I tend to try to go with a good quality image that I like(although I have only recently started to appreciate the difference a good quality pic can make); often the image can be quite striking for some reason.

Within the context of the contest what do you look for when voting? Unique interpretation, style, visuals, special effects? When does simple work? When does complex work? (I'm thinking animation here or multiple layers/images.)
I am not especially artistic myself so I do tend to look at the idea and take that into consideration. But often it's just what looks good - and yes often less is more! Sometimes a big space on an icon can look better than lots of text or brushes.


Rell's Icons - not very constructive I'm afraid!
I love the Snape one - and agree with Kala Way that it would look good bigger!
I also love the Harry one - but again I agree with Kala Way that using different fonts and sizes of text would make it even better
I love the colouring on the soap box one - you are very good with colour!


Okay I thought I'd post my Helena Bonham Carter ones -
1:
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f377/CathyWeasly/wk78av4-1.jpg

2:
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f377/CathyWeasly/wk78av3.jpg

3.
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f377/CathyWeasly/wk78av2.jpg

4.
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f377/CathyWeasly/wk78av1.jpg

As I've said I am not particularly artistic so I would really appreciate any constructive criticism - so be brutal!

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j250/rell_02/LIMS6.png http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j250/rell_02/soap.png
They are overall really good.
For Hermione: The repeated image is a nice idea, however the frame thing around it isn't working IMO. The way her head is cut isn't looking good. I suggest either make the corner all blue and in b/w.
For the shoes: overall too yellow. I don't know how you achieved it (yellow layer on multiply? blue exclusion? ...) but on lower opacity it would look better IMO.



1:http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f377/CathyWeasly/wk78av4-1.jpg 2:http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f377/CathyWeasly/wk78av3.jpg 3.http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f377/CathyWeasly/wk78av2.jpg 4.
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f377/CathyWeasly/wk78av1.jpg
OK, first general things. It's not necessary to label who the image is showing most times. It also works with no text at all or with other text than simply the name of the person inside the image. The borders around the last two are unnecessary as you hardly see them. And you should try out different font types.

Now to the single one:
1. I like Helena herself, you achieved a good colouring. I would have used a border with straigh lines instead of a frayed one like this or none at all.
2. The image looks too grainy.
3. from the colouring the best here. Nice sublte colours, but the text is taking away the nice look.
4. It looks really simple, that can be a good thing but also a bad one. A lot of people would say you just cropped the images and put a text on it and did nothing else.

Rell, with the Snape one I wasn't sure where you were going with it. The flames could have been more prominent or removed altogether because tthe rest of the picture is very striking. Squiddy is just perfect, IMO. I agree with Tenshi's points of enlarging the font on the Slytherin Harry is on target although the green could have been turned up a notch. As I said Squiddy is great but it works because the background was more monotone bringing the focus to the circle. The Hermione one would have been better suited, imo, had you done the same, made the larger picture more monotone and direct the eye to your smaller circle.

When choosing colours for text and other features I tend to use the colour picker to select colours from the image itself either in a colour that is harmonious with the main colour or one that contrasts.

Cathy, this is a great tip! I do this, too and it makes a huge difference.

I am not especially artistic myself so I do tend to look at the idea and take that into consideration.

I don't believe that! You are very artistic (your Fenrir avatar actually raised my hackles not to long ago. If you are confident it will show. :) )

As to your pictures. I agree with many of Tenshi's points but I'll put in my two cents....

You chose great HQ pic of Helena!

In #1 you could lose the border, add a shine, change the font to a type font and had a really wowing picture straight out of a high fashion mag. The composition and colors were spot on though!

With #2 I think you could possibly have worked with the picture more. It looks as if Helena was stepping out of the shower or into the rain. Perhaps a rain or water droplet layer?

#4 I agree with Tenshi, the coloring is great! But the red font doesn't work for me. What about a white font but only use her initials in the upper right corner instead of over her hair?

#5 What about cropping out the right side of her face and focusing on that lovely shawl? A little color dodge to lighten the shadow maybe?

THESE ARE ONLY MY OPINION! You guys blow me away every week so I might just not know what I am talking about!

Okay I thought I'd post my Helena Bonham Carter ones -
1:http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f377/CathyWeasly/wk78av4-1.jpg 2:http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f377/CathyWeasly/wk78av3.jpg 3.http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f377/CathyWeasly/wk78av2.jpg 4.http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f377/CathyWeasly/wk78av1.jpg Simplicity is great (something I need to work on I know) but when an icon's too simple it's like Tenshi said, it looks like you didn't actually do anything to it--just cropped the pic and put text or a border on it. They're beautiful pics no doubt!
1. love the contrast, not crazy about the font or border
2. I like the picture itself, but since it is grainy if you went for a stronger "poster edge" sort of feel it could be interesting.
3. It looks a little awkward because of her positioning. I'm not sure what the original pic was, but I think it would be better if it was not so tightly cropped.
4. Again beautiful pic, but very tightly cropped--makes it feel unbalanced to me.


ok, Here's my set up for critique :) thanks

HP:
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n172/kala_way/harrywand2.jpg http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n172/kala_way/JKR.jpg http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n172/kala_way/helena.jpg http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n172/kala_way/ar.jpg http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n172/kala_way/hedwig2.jpg

non-HP:
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n172/kala_way/dude2.jpg http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n172/kala_way/evileye.jpg http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n172/kala_way/book-girl.jpg http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n172/kala_way/carried.jpg http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n172/kala_way/rufusred.jpg

First for my concrit... =D

Rell:
1. This is so good. The contrast is beautiful and I love the texture! <3
5. This makes me smile too – love the topic, even though I love the squid! The text is great, but something about the texture is kind of strange. Kind of grainy, almost like a watercolor, and that kind of throws me off.
8. Yay. You are my hero. Great topic, and the animation is very fluid and nice. I’m not sure I understand the choice of picture, though.

CathyWeasley:
1. Not a big fan of the border, but love the black and white. Also, Monotype Corsovia makes me shiver *is a font diva*
3. Great cropping! It looks really nice, and the colors are also quite nice. Oh, and the font again =D

kala_way:
1. This is really nice, love the concept. The text in the corner is kind of random, though.
2. Yay, JKR! This is so great, love the notebook in the background!
9. I love the whimsicality of all of this. The coloring is beautiful, and the paper at the bottom is super cool.

You all are awesome graphic designers! Keep working hard =D

Now for mine...

001. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v220/OrangeSodaSpill/fight.png 002. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v220/OrangeSodaSpill/themeavatar-lucius.png 003. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v220/OrangeSodaSpill/themeavatar-robertp.png 004. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v220/OrangeSodaSpill/weasleysweater.png 005. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v220/OrangeSodaSpill/lunaicon1.png

and a few signatures...

001. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v220/OrangeSodaSpill/lims4-leastfavblend.png
002. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v220/OrangeSodaSpill/signature-flobberworm.png

feedback=awesome!

Thanks for all the info guys - that really helps - and I can really see how they would improve the icons.

Monotype Corsovia makes me shiver *is a font diva* :rotfl: I know what you mean!

I don't feel qualified to critic others work so I'll just give my opinions.
Kala Way - Your icons always blow me away!
Sodaspill - Ditto - I just LOVE that Lucius Malfoy one! - Question: I don't "get" why Ron's eyes have been blacked out in 01 - I'm obviously missing the reference :blush:

I would try to comment more if I had time (I still have to do my LIMS entry...), but I just wanted to say that I thought that this one was really funny when I first saw it. I missed the voting that week in the graphics contest, but it would have had my vote. :)

002. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v220/OrangeSodaSpill/themeavatar-lucius.png

Sodaspill - Ditto - I just LOVE that Lucius Malfoy one! - Question: I don't "get" why Ron's eyes have been blacked out in 01 - I'm obviously missing the reference :blush:

Thank you!

And, I dunno really why I did that either. I think I might have seen some icons where they did that and thought it looked cool. It was kind of experimental, I guess, haha. And I kinda liked the result so I thought I'd see what you all think.

Spilledsoda, I love the Lucus one, I don't remember seeing it last week and the Weasly Sweater is hilarious.

Well I've critiqued so now it's my turn for some feed back. Just the one for now. Lay it on me! :)

http://www.cosforums.com/images/img/1442404737454159849.png

Well I've critiqued so now it's my turn for some feed back. Just the one for now. Lay it on me! :)

http://www.cosforums.com/images/img/1442404736569af327c.png
Hmmm unusual to use a round crop, but what is it acutally showing, I can't make it out. It just looks like a lot of bright nice colours on one spot.

hmmm? Perhaps toning down the brightness will help you see it better? It's actually the durmstrang ship chapter art...I was definately going for shiny not glare. Thanks, Ten!

Well I've critiqued so now it's my turn for some feed back. Just the one for now. Lay it on me! :)

http://www.cosforums.com/images/img/1442404736569af327c.png
Oh, yea I see it now. Maybe if you outlined the ship in a darker color so that it stood out more you wouldn't have to adjust the brightness too much. I really have to work on .png's it's so fun to see unique shapes!

Well I've critiqued so now it's my turn for some feed back. Just the one for now. Lay it on me! :)

http://www.cosforums.com/images/img/1442404736569af327c.png

Maybe if you'd tone down the shiny colours a little, and add a new layer set to Multiply, the ship would be more recognizable. :)

I updated my icon. I did use multiply. The ship is much clearer but now I need to fuss with the brightness a bit. Maybe a soft outer glow. But I really appreciate the feed back. The multiply technique is so cool..I'll have to add it to my personal arsenal and practice with it ALOT. :lol:

As to the unusual shape...it was a new tool I found in Photoshop that I just HAD to play with...

Thanks again! You're the best guys!

Wow! This has taken off with a bang. I'm glad it's doing so well. I hope to pop in some time with either my 2 cents or some images for feedback. Great going folks.

TTFN

I feel like pointing it out somewhere. But when people use small text, really small text in their work, then it is NOT supposed to be readable. That's the sense of tiny text. When you use random words and people can still read it then you are doing something wrong.

thank you tenshi :agree:

flimseycauldron, it looks loads better now. I'd suggest to try out an outline around the ship in black just to set it off (one or two pixels should be plenty). I don't know how it will look, but I think it's worth trying :).

kala Thanks for your comments. I have a really hard time trying out new or weird things, but I love when other people do it!

I whole heartedly agree, Tenshi! It drives me bonkers when people don't grasp that.

It only bothers me when it's somewhere in the middle...when it's hard to tell whether it's supposed to be tiny text or real text. It's kind of small and hard to read but not quite "standard" looking and small enough to be tiny text. :shrug:
I'd never vote for somebody just for that, just the ambiguity that bugs me.

yes, text should either be clear or completely unreadable. Also, some fonts don't lend themselves to tiny text as well - it depends how it turns out.

yes, text should either be clear or completely unreadable. Also, some fonts don't lend themselves to tiny text as well - it depends how it turns out.

Agreed. Or, in some cases, a little bit of both -- such as a readable word over tinytext. It all depends on the icon.

Ok something to criticize on my work?

HP:

1. http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q242/mad_visions/Harry%20Potter/mad_visions_HP_umb1.png 2. http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q242/mad_visions/Harry%20Potter/mad_visions_HP_Luna1.png 3. http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q242/mad_visions/Harry%20Potter/mad_visions_HP_Dudley1.png 4. http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q242/mad_visions/Harry%20Potter/LIMSVISa.png 5. http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q242/mad_visions/Harry%20Potter/HPLIMS41.png

Non HP:
6. http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q242/mad_visions/Seasons/Halloween/mad_tenshi_halloween5.png 7. http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q242/mad_visions/Other%20Anime/anime_2d.png 8. http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q242/mad_visions/travel_chamb1.png 9. http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q242/mad_visions/stock_lims4a.png 10. http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q242/mad_visions/abc_a1-1.png

To Tenshi:
Your icons are pretty amazing overall. You do an especially good job with textures, which is something I stink at overall. I'm also impressed with how you manage to use such small images.

Numbers 2 and 7 I think are just a little too dark. #4 I find a little confusing, and it wouldn't make sense to anyone who wasn't very familiar with HP. Also, the last icon doesn't really need a border in my opinion.

I really only have these few nitpicky things to say because overall your style is really very good and I don't really have any general critiques for that.

kala_way:
1. This is really nice, love the concept. The text in the corner is kind of random, though. :) thanks, the text on the first one actually says "rebellion" which I thought fit the mood, I agree that it might look less cluttered without it.

for yours:
001. I love the coloring and idea, but I think if you brought his face further into the center of the icon the blacked out eyes would be more recognizable.
002. as everybody's said, great idea, cool coloring (maybe a tad too bright), but I absolutely love it!
003. I really like the effect on his face and hair! but I don't know about the reddishness on the right with the heart :shrug: maybe it's just my basic dislike of Pattinson :lol: pretty color scheme.
004. I'm all for using unique pics so :tu: it's just a bit bright, it looks overexposed, which I guess was the idea.
005. I really love this! nothing bad to say--very pretty

001. I don't really get this one :shrug: The color effects are interesting, but the duplication and Snape head at the bottome I don't get. :hmm: (that's one of my fave fonts though-Welsy or Weltor or something I think it's called.)
002. I remember when you did this for the graphics contest. Very creative. Must say it's the best flobberworm signature I've seen. :D


Tenshi, what can I say? You have like a style arsenal! :lol: I can never pick yours out because they're always really different, and you never have 'lazy' looking icons. I almost always adore your stuff, so the below is just based on my own preferences really, which I doubt is very helpful but...anyway.
1. I really don't like the color peach, but other than that it's fantastic--it definitely fits the character! very nice cropping.
4. It's hard to tell what the background is, but is all very mysterious looking.
6. Idea is great, but it looks like a regular kitchen broom which kinda takes away from the "witchiness"

I love 3 and 5--the effects seem very subtle (not at all overpowering as those kind of effects are sometimes) yet really effective.

I was really bored today, so I decided to go back to one of my old icons, find the base, and see if I could make a better icon. Result:

Base: http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l9/Evilgenius81/blueHarry-1.jpg

Original: http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l9/Evilgenius81/BlueHarry.gif New: http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l9/Evilgenius81/NewblueHarry.png

Ok thanks for the replies on mine!


Original: http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l9/Evilgenius81/BlueHarry.gif New: http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l9/Evilgenius81/NewblueHarry.png
It is much better now. The icon has a better quality and isn't so grainy like the first one. It's a bit too dark though.

I disagree with Tenshi, Everlore. I don't think it is too dark, over all, but, rather, a little off balance. Is it possible to maybe move the small inset to the upper left corner?

The new one is certainly much better. It is a bit dark, maybe if you put a glow at top corner of the inset? Nice job though!

I also agree with everyone else...it's much better than the first one. I like the darkness, though it's a little pinkish on his face. Maybe a hue/saturation adjustment layer with the red setting turned down could change that, though it's not a huge problem. I agree with kala_way that a glow might benefit the icon as well. I like seeing how much everyone who's been around here for a while has improved. :)

I agree with the dark comments, also, maybe make the insert include a little more of Harry's face and make it a bit bigger as well. You did a nice job on that picture.

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc125/StorytellerRox/Crookshankshighlighted.jpg
This is one that I started for the graphics contest that I could not get right, so I gave up on it. I think it looks pretty good now although I am open to anything else you can suggest.

It is supposed to be "Good Kitty".

Story: What is that thing that comes out of his mouth? That looks like ... you don't want to know. It's absolutely unnecessary.
Otherwise, the greenish background doesn't fit the image, b/w is mostly the best solution, when you want to make something stand out. and the rays are too overpowering. You should try to make the colours more vivid.


When you state what program you are using people can give tips which effects and things you could try out.

Ten, I believe that is supposed to be Scabbers tail...to fit the good kitty theme. Actually I like the rays but think the background plus the rays are too "busy" perhaps just a solid color?

I know that Story uses GIMP but I am a GIMP idiot so....

Story: What is that thing that comes out of his mouth? That looks like ... you don't want to know. It's absolutely unnecessary.
Otherwise, the greenish background doesn't fit the image, b/w is mostly the best solution, when you want to make something stand out. and the rays are too overpowering. You should try to make the colours more vivid.


When you state what program you are using people can give tips which effects and things you could try out.

Thanks for the comments. It is indeed Scabbers' tail. I was actually trying to make it more like Crookshanks had come between Ron and Hermione and he did not eat the rat, even though he could have. Then I wanted him to be the focus.
I have since figured out how to use the line super nova as a cool background.

Rell told me how to do animation in GIMP. This is just an experiment. Hopefully I can do something better soon, http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc125/StorytellerRox/sun.gif

I know the size is 300x300, but I did not know how to check the pixel size, so just OWL me if it is too big and I will remove it.

Tiny text: I really struggle with tiny text. I kind of like it sometimes - but whenever I use it I have to have words that make sense. Here are a couple of icons I made recently using tiny text
001:http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f377/CathyWeasly/wk82emo.jpg
For people who need to know the text says "What deeper magic can there be, than the love of a family"

002http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f377/CathyWeasly/wk82av.jpg
In this one the text says "Some people are just too sexy"

So comments please!

I've been putting all your previous advice into practice! I am quite pleased with this one:
003:http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f377/CathyWeasly/newhelena.jpg

These 2 I'm not so sure about:
004: http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f377/CathyWeasly/avatar-heart.jpg
005: http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f377/CathyWeasly/sunshine-avatar.jpg

Cathy, I LOVE your Helena one! Great Job!

As to your Snape ones...this is just an opinion...what if you switched the text? THe sunshine quote would be better suited to the wand one (maybe with a soft golden glow instead of rays?) and the secrets one would be better suited to the expression on Snape's face in the second one. Snape's head looks a little mooshed though.

As a general shout out to the masses on the subject of tiny text...I, personally don't like it. I find it to be very limited in actual practice. THe point of tiny text is to make you wonder...to add a little mystery and wimsey...but to often it gets lost on most graphics that aren't really simple...which defies the whole purpose, imo.

1 - 3
I like your layouts, but for some reason, the graphics are coming out very grainy - it's possible that you're using pictures that are pretty low quality to start with, or that you're overusing tools like the burn tool. #3 is actually not nearly as grainy as the others, but I think that the background is slightly overwhelming - just tone it down a bit and it will be great.

Cathy, I agree with Rell; the layouts and ideas for your icons are great, but the images come out a bit too grainy. Maybe you should try working with hi-res pics... Sometimes resizing a pic to make it smaller helps you improve its quality too :)

Thanks for the comments!

Grainy images - With some it is the initail pic - like with #1 . With others though I think I just tweak the colour tools too much!
The background on #3 is a bit bright - I was trying lots of different backgrounds - that particular one is the "coffee beans" pattern with the contrast turned right up which is probably why the background looks grainy. I'll have to go and find a "red petals" pattern.

As to your Snape ones...this is just an opinion...what if you switched the text? THe sunshine quote would be better suited to the wand one (maybe with a soft golden glow instead of rays?) and the secrets one would be better suited to the expression on Snape's face in the second one. Snape's head looks a little mooshed though. That is a great idea - thanks flim! And yes I think his head got a bit mooshed - he was against a dark background and I must have got the cropping wrong :rolleyes:

Sometimes resizing a pic to make it smaller helps you improve its quality too You know I always used to "collect" pics of a similar size to the icon I inended to make - now I go for the biggest I can find!

You know I always used to "collect" pics of a similar size to the icon I inended to make - now I go for the biggest I can find!

I really like mugglenet's pictures. For icons, unless I plan a specific crop I always download the thumbnail sizes for avatars. It makes resizing alot easier and keeps the image clearer.

I'm going to have to experiment with backgrounds, too. The text challenges are always so difficult for me because I'm not proficient with backgrounds and textures.

Oh this is wonderful! A place to get constructive criticism and advice. :D

I've had similar problems as CathyWeasly with grainy images and text - small text is something I always have trouble with. It's so hard to make it legible - and all the fonts I love look terrible small. :(

I've been playing around with a snow globe using a glass ball tutorial I found for photoshop and Tenshi's wonderful tutorial for snow.

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b21/meesha1971/R_Hr_Snow-Globe3.gif

What do you think?

I've been looking for some crit on my work for awhile.
Below is some of my latest graphic work:

1.http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a381/candylove_56/More%20HP%20icons/hero19.jpg 2.http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a381/candylove_56/More%20HP%20icons/hero18.jpg 3.http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a381/candylove_56/More%20HP%20icons/48.jpg 4.http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a381/candylove_56/More%20HP%20icons/71.jpg

5.http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a381/candylove_56/More%20HP%20icons/61.jpg 6.http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a381/candylove_56/More%20HP%20icons/hjl.jpg 7.http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a381/candylove_56/More%20HP%20icons/Untitled-1.jpg 8.http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a381/candylove_56/More%20HP%20icons/gray.jpg

9.http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a381/candylove_56/More%20HP%20icons/712.jpg 10.http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a381/candylove_56/More%20HP%20icons/fotc.jpg

I like your stuff meesha, but you're right it always looks a bit grainy. I don't know why that is :hmm: The glass bulb and snow is great, you did a good job, and that picture is too cute!

I've been looking for some crit on my work for awhile.
my faves are
5.http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a381/candylove_56/More%20HP%20icons/61.jpg 7.http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a381/candylove_56/More%20HP%20icons/Untitled-1.jpg 10.http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a381/candylove_56/More%20HP%20icons/fotc.jpg
especially 10, really lovely!

It's hard to see the faded overlay on 1, though I like the idea. Maybe if you did it on an inset?
8 is very pretty, but it's a bit hard to tell what the picture is.
I really like 9, but maybe a bit of color or more contrast to set it off would be nice I think

I like your stuff meesha, but you're right it always looks a bit grainy. I don't know why that is :hmm: The glass bulb and snow is great, you did a good job, and that picture is too cute!

Thanks. :) The glass ball was giving me fits because the edges kept coming out too sharp. I finally fixed that by beveling the edges - don't know why I didn't think of that before. :lol:

I don't know why so much of my stuff looks so grainy either. I always start with big images and work down to the size I want. I figure I'm doing something wrong, but I have no idea what. :hmm:

I like your stuff meesha, but you're right it always looks a bit grainy. I don't know why that is :hmm: The glass bulb and snow is great, you did a good job, and that picture is too cute!


my faves are
5.http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a381/candylove_56/More%20HP%20icons/61.jpg 7.http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a381/candylove_56/More%20HP%20icons/Untitled-1.jpg 10.http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a381/candylove_56/More%20HP%20icons/fotc.jpg
especially 10, really lovely!

It's hard to see the faded overlay on 1, though I like the idea. Maybe if you did it on an inset?
8 is very pretty, but it's a bit hard to tell what the picture is.
I really like 9, but maybe a bit of color or more contrast to set it off would be nice I think

Thanks for the crit. I tend to go a bit crazy with the overlay sometimes so maybe I should not do that as much.
Those three have always been my favorites too, glad you like them.

Hello guys, I've just made a batch of Hermione/Ron avatars, made from a blend of two images. I made different versions and would like to get some concrit on them.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v469/griffiegrrll/Heron.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v469/griffiegrrll/Heron5.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v469/griffiegrrll/Heron4.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v469/griffiegrrll/Heron6.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v469/griffiegrrll/Heronagain.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v469/griffiegrrll/Heron3.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v469/griffiegrrll/HeronSnow.gif

I'm not too sure of them. I like the image itself, but I think some of these are too washed out.

Thanks for comments in advance!

EDIT:: If you are curious, the avatars were made from blending Hermione and Ron closer together from this image. (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v469/griffiegrrll/Image1.jpg)

Two things I've just finished with help from some amazing sites posted in Kimagine's thread, and my new font downloading skills. I'm really proud of them, and I think they're some of the best I've ever done, and am just wondering what others think. Thanks!!

http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/9645/redwhiteemmalm8.png

http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/6228/bonniegoldtd5.png
This one actually has a border around it, on the top and left edges, but with the background color on the layout I'm using, it's very hard to see. Just so you know there really is something there if you can't see it either.

http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/6228/bonniegoldtd5.png
This one actually has a border around it, on the top and left edges, but with the background color on the layout I'm using, it's very hard to see. Just so you know there really is something there if you can't see it either.

This one is really good :tu: The background textures go well with the picture and so does the font. The only thing I would change would be the little bit of dark color left around her hand. Other than that, I might outline the text, but it looks fine the way it is as well. Do you still use MS Paint? I know most people probably couldn't do what you manage with it. :) The red/white colors are really cool in the Emma Watson sig as well.

Yeah, I'm still on Paint. Thanks for the advice and compliments! I realized about the dark on her hand just too late, like usual. And yeah, I think the text outlined would look really good, though how I would go about doing so is another project for another time. Perhaps break. Thanks again!!

I was typing out concrit for your banners when I realised that Kit pretty much took the words right out of my mouth. Very nice overall, and AMAZING for working with paint.

Would anyone concrit my work a few posts up please? :D

:blush: Thanks so much both of you!! I really appreciate it!!

Griffie, these 2 are my favorites over all:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v469/griffiegrrll/Heron4.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v469/griffiegrrll/Heron3.jpg

Overall, they are really great. I love the blend on the image, and I think the coloring is really well done. However the color on the second one, it just doesn't seem to fit. Maybe it's just me, but I like the bluer ones, and this just seems a bit too red or something. Not bad coloring, just doesn't work here in my opinion. Also, the one with the inset, again, while I really like it, I think it's too small an area. Then again, any smaller and it probably didn't work. Also, is it just me, or is anyone else seeing what looks like the head of a guy wearing a bowtie floating just between their heads??

:blush: Thanks so much both of you!! I really appreciate it!!

Griffie, these 2 are my favorites over all:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v469/griffiegrrll/Heron4.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v469/griffiegrrll/Heron3.jpg

Overall, they are really great. I love the blend on the image, and I think the coloring is really well done. However the color on the second one, it just doesn't seem to fit. Maybe it's just me, but I like the bluer ones, and this just seems a bit too red or something. Not bad coloring, just doesn't work here in my opinion. Also, the one with the inset, again, while I really like it, I think it's too small an area. Then again, any smaller and it probably didn't work. Also, is it just me, or is anyone else seeing what looks like the head of a guy wearing a bowtie floating just between their heads??

Thanks for the concrit, and I agree with the red icon. And that's not a floating head, it's the sign for Zonkos if you look closely! :)

I posted these in another thread, but I want your guys' opinions on them, so I had to shrink 'em down so I could post them in here!

http://i3.tinypic.com/86e1rip.jpg

http://i9.tinypic.com/89i0lrc.jpg

http://i4.tinypic.com/6oxyg51.jpg


I can't decide which version I like better:
http://i6.tinypic.com/7x2brdj.jpg

http://i8.tinypic.com/6lwvlkz.jpg

I'm Imagining that your banners at full size to concrit here.

I think you have a nice clean style over all. I like the overlays you have on your banners. Of the Voldemort banners, I think I like the last one best.

A few avatars for you to have a look at. To me they seem sometimes too sharp, but i'm not great at softening faces. Any tips on that would be great.

http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/5237/siriusanici9.gifhttp://img175.imageshack.us/img175/3640/danehphonescopyfo0.pnghttp://img246.imageshack.us/img246/3748/pottercloudml1.pnghttp://img155.imageshack.us/img155/5209/hogwartsih3.png
http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/1554/rupobcopycj0.pnghttp://img150.imageshack.us/img150/8539/grintgrinra3.pnghttp://img246.imageshack.us/img246/9228/trioredyellowcopymx9.png

http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/5209/hogwartsih3.png


This one's my favorite...I've always liked that pic and I like these light textures that are pretty widely used now. The faces look fine to me personally. The coloring is good on all of them, and the animation is nice on the first one. :tu: The only thing is on the 5th one, Rupert Grint's lips look a little strange...that's probably the picture itself, though it might be exacerbated by that particular color scheme...that's just a relatively uninformed guess though. :p

A few avatars for you to have a look at. To me they seem sometimes too sharp, but i'm not great at softening faces. Any tips on that would be great.

http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/3640/danehphonescopyfo0.png http://img246.imageshack.us/img246/9228/trioredyellowcopymx9.png
These two are my favorites, the coloring on the second one is great and I like the setup and personality in the first.
As for softening faces, my advice would be to use a Gaussian Blur layer--set low and opaque it can give a really soft effect without looking too fuzzy. I really like your stuff!

Drazer,do you mean softening the whole face or just the edges? I've had a lot of success with feathering when I make my selections. Just one or two pixels really soften the edges to make them feel more three dimensional.


I think the second one is the best, but I think that the yellow in Ron's scarf kind of clashes with the beautiful sepia tones you have....

Man I wish I had more time to stop in this thread! :)

So here is a Ron/Hermione icon I was goofing around with. Any suggestions? Thanks!

http://www.cosforums.com/images/img/14424047887a09ec229.jpg

Well this is just my humble opinion Flim but I think because Rupert's head is tilted the icon looks unbalanced and he stands out a lot more - but then maybe that was what you intended? With Ron kind of dreaming about Hermione? I love the Hermione bit of it though!

Well this is just my humble opinion Flim but I think because Rupert's head is tilted the icon looks unbalanced and he stands out a lot more - but then maybe that was what you intended? With Ron kind of dreaming about Hermione? I love the Hermione bit of it though


Thanks! I didn't intend it at first to be that way but their skin tones din't match quite right. (maybe someone knows how to do that?) So then I though the "dreaming" aspect might be a good alternative....

Getting skintones to match can be very tricky!

Here are a few of my recent ones:

Firstly HP related:
1.
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f377/CathyWeasly/Interesting.jpg

Non-HP
2http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f377/CathyWeasly/Ive_got_you.jpg

3http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f377/CathyWeasly/rockyou.jpg

4http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f377/CathyWeasly/Trust_me.jpg

5http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f377/CathyWeasly/No_paddle.jpg
(I think I need to move the text on this one to make it easier to read)


6http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f377/CathyWeasly/marc_bolan_cool.jpg

1. http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f377/CathyWeasly/Interesting.jpg

Non-HP
2http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f377/CathyWeasly/Ive_got_you.jpg

3http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f377/CathyWeasly/rockyou.jpg

4http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f377/CathyWeasly/Trust_me.jpg

5http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f377/CathyWeasly/No_paddle.jpg
(I think I need to move the text on this one to make it easier to read)


6http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f377/CathyWeasly/marc_bolan_cool.jpg
Text: Use other fonts and stress certain words, when you use the same kind of fonts over and over again it's getting bored soon.

Text Tutorial about font use and size etc (http://community.livejournal.com/grrliz_icons/105074.html)

Also play around with layers or other settings. They basically only look like cropped.

What program are you using again? :lol:

I've been wanting to do this thread for a while. I've decided to post grfx I've done that I like the turn out on, but want other feedback. I went thru the rules but may goof up, just let me know. I'll follow up at some point with ones I did that I really hated. Thanks in advance for any comments. :D

BTW Kitunen, I've really been loving your new text siggie.

1. http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p301/annie_magus/GOTWS2R2WK4003.png

2. http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p301/annie_magus/RelationshipsB.png

3. http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p301/annie_magus/10-27-07specialchallenge02.png


4. http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p301/annie_magus/10-27-07bnr.png
original base (http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p301/annie_magus/CoS%20Graphics%20Contest/harley01.jpg)for the motorcycle.

5. http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p301/annie_magus/CoS%20Graphics%20Contest/12-22-07baseB.png

6. http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p301/annie_magus/CoS%20Graphics%20Contest/09-29-07base.png

7. http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p301/annie_magus/CoS%20Graphics%20Contest/09-22-07hanging.png

8. http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p301/annie_magus/CoS%20Graphics%20Contest/05-13-07base.png

TTFN

http://www.cosforums.com/images/img/14424047887a09ec229.jpg I like the texture, but the blend of the coloring could be better. Rupert looks much brighter and more stark than the dreamy look Hermione has. I really like Hermione though.

1http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f377/CathyWeasly/Interesting.jpg 3http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f377/CathyWeasly/rockyou.jpg 5http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f377/CathyWeasly/No_paddle.jpg 6http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f377/CathyWeasly/marc_bolan_cool.jpg
I agree with Tenshi that some variety in font style, color, and size would be great! I like the coloring on 6 and the cropping on 5. 3 is an interesting pic, but cropping his leg off looks a bit odd to me. I really like the cap for 1, and I think with some interesting filters and textures it could be great.
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p301/annie_magus/10-27-07specialchallenge02.png http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p301/annie_magus/10-27-07bnr.png http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p301/annie_magus/CoS%20Graphics%20Contest/12-22-07baseB.png http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p301/annie_magus/CoS%20Graphics%20Contest/05-13-07base.png I really like the Graphix one, interesting coloring and the text color really pops.

I love purple so I liked the Harley one immediately. I'd erase the square border around the emblem, and maybe put a border around the outside of the bike as it looks like it's edges are really blurred.

I like the idea behind this one a lot, but Hermione seems to be pushed too far to the side. Maybe if you changed the angle of Harry's face and lowered Hermione a bit it wouldn't look so cramped. The coloring is very nice!

The filters or adjustment layers on this are a tad stark, and the text and text color don't seem to go well with the picture.
____

And here's a couple of mine that I'd like some critique on.

1.http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n172/kala_way/charlieanddon.jpg 2.http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n172/kala_way/scissorsbeatspaper.jpg 3.http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n172/kala_way/matching-baggage.jpg 4.http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n172/kala_way/karch-burn-it-up.jpg 5.http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n172/kala_way/frolickin.jpg 6.http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n172/kala_way/mrs-lupin.jpg 7.http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n172/kala_way/founders2.png 8.http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n172/kala_way/Rupert-Grinch-small.jpg

Thanks for all the comment! :D

Text: Use other fonts and stress certain words, when you use the same kind of fonts over and over again it's getting bored soon
I have such a problem with text! Not helped because I have limited fonts - (my husband has "lost" winzip :rolleyes: so I can't unzip new ones - hope to sort it soon though)

Also play around with layers or other settings. They basically only look like cropped. I know what you mean but I have done more than cropped them honest! I think the trouble is that I am afraid to be bold.
On #1 I spent so long trying to get the colour, brightness and contrast right that when I got it how I wanted it I think I gave up! :lol:

What program are you using again? GIMP - and I'm only just really getting the hang of it!

Anyways I will put all advice into practice and see what I can come up with!

Kala_Way: Love all of your icons - don't know what else to say, but I bow to your talent!
#2 is simply BRILLIANT though I really really love that icon - thought provoking, clever and just absolutely brilliant! *insert bowing smiley*
#7 I take it is the 4 founders - *Is awestruck*
Okay I give up - I'm incapable of concrit on Kala Way's icons so I'll go away!

I have such a problem with text! Not helped because I have limited fonts - (my husband has "lost" winzip so I can't unzip new ones - hope to sort it soon though)
When you have XP and up you should be able to unzip it without winzip I heared. I downloaded winzip and use a trial version since ever now.

I found this comm for gimp: gimp_tutorial (http://community.livejournal.com/gimp_tutorial/profile)
I haven't used it myself. Will download it now to see what you can even do with it.

Cathy,

Have you tried playing around with perspective at all? I don't know how GIMP works but I am in love with my Free Transform tool. Like say you have a cool crop (#6 is a good example) with your transform tool you could rotate the canvas slightly to give it a little movement, or angle it slightly forward. This could really help with your text until you get to load new fonts. Try going vertical with your fonts or going on the diagonal. If you have more than one word try going with different sizes for the words. Such as:

we will
we will
rock you

You have a really good eye for color, though. 3, 5, and six especially draw your eye.

Annie, not much to say about your first two. I voted for your Hermione/Harry entry. Someone said that Hermy was too far to the side, but if she was any more center you would't have been able to see Harry's face clearly. But since it does look ever so slightly off balance you might want to add a small font (since you don't have to follow the bae rules for the contest anymore)

I really like your Neville coloring but I agree that the font doesn't work. It looks too opaque. I think if you lost the torn edge look and made the font a more neon red it would tie it all together better.

Your lightning struck tower was perfect, imo.

Kala,

I agree with Cathy. You're an icon wizard! Your HP ones are great, but if I had one minor critisism (very minor) it's that, with the exception of #5, your other icons seem too small and a bit busy. I kind of had to squint to see what you were trying to get across.

Still working on my R/H icon. I'm trying to put what you guys said into practice.

Kala_way, thank you for your comments. They're most helpful.

Also, found this comm for basic iconning techniques and such. I'm looking forward to using it. It's here (http://community.livejournal.com/icon_basics/).

Regards

6http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f377/CathyWeasly/marc_bolan_cool.jpg

On a completely unrelated note, I want to compliment you for making an icon out of the awesomeness that is Marc.

I've got some time off coming soon and plan to play with tutorials and such (while I'm not out having fun). If you have a great tut you'd like to recommend, please do in reply to this or by owl. I use PSPXII, but don't mind playing with tuts for other programs.

Thanks in advance.

Regards

I had one minor critisism (very minor) it's that, with the exception of #5, your other icons seem too small and a bit busy. I kind of had to squint to see what you were trying to get across. thanks, I have a hard time doing simple icons they always look so plain to me. I need to force myself to not overdo it.

Well, I've never really posted any of my graphics in here...so I thought that I should...this is what I was working on today...

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i24/kitunen/soar.png (I think this is too dark, but I liked the silhouette.) http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i24/kitunen/hatetosay.png http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i24/kitunen/alone.png http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i24/kitunen/voldybicepts.png (I know it's corny...but I had to do it :P)

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i24/kitunen/tree.png http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i24/kitunen/rose.png http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i24/kitunen/greentree.png http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i24/kitunen/weasleycorrected.png (This was a request sig for somebody, so don't take it, not that anybody here would do that :))

Not sure if this will fit here, but it can't hurt.

For all you gimp users, I found this while searching for images: http://docs.gimp.org/en/

I don't know how helpful it'll be.

I"m finally getting to some feedback. I don't know how helpful it'll be.

Well, I've never really posted any of my graphics in here...so I thought that I should...this is what I was working on today...

01http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i24/kitunen/soar.png 02http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i24/kitunen/hatetosay.png 03http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i24/kitunen/alone.png 04http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i24/kitunen/voldybicepts.png
05 http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i24/kitunen/weasleycorrected.png

01. I like idea also. Needs some definition between the background mountains (?) and the forground harry and buckbeak (?) I'm not sure how this could be accomplished and maintain the silhouetted look. Silhouettes look good on a dissimilar background. I'm sorry I can't give any better feedback than this. 02. Nice icon, good coloring, too sharp. And, looks like there's a 2d space between Ya and So. Good use of text. 03. Good cropping, good use of text. Just a bit more blurry than works well for the icon. 04. All I can say here is tone down the red a bit. It overpowers the other colors which are nice. Might help if you cold bring the image down a bit instead of cropping off the hands. Never realized until I saw this how similar bent arms and legs can look if the feet/hands are not there. 05. Nice icon/banner. Really nice. A bit too heavy on the orange above.


And here's a couple of mine that I'd like some critique on.

1.http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n172/kala_way/charlieanddon.jpg 2.http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n172/kala_way/scissorsbeatspaper.jpg 3.http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n172/kala_way/matching-baggage.jpg
5.http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n172/kala_way/frolickin.jpg 6.http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n172/kala_way/mrs-lupin.jpg
7.http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n172/kala_way/Rupert-Grinch-small.jpg

01 & 02 are nice b&w's. A bit over sharp. Someone shared w/me a technique of controling over sharpness vs over blurriness by adjusting the image in several stages as you bring it down in size. I really like 2 with the text and images; both the text and the images are over sharp. 03. This is so cute. I really liked it. Needs yellow though. I don't know if someone with matching baggage to mine would be the best of ideas. ;) 05. I have nothing to say abt this other than I like it. A zoom in of fewer characters may be worth a try to see how you like it. 06. Another one I like really well with no for which I have no crit. It's a nice icon. 07. I thought it was Grinch instead of Grint?

Getting skintones to match can be very tricky!

Here are a few of my recent ones:

1. http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f377/CathyWeasly/Interesting.jpg 2. http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f377/CathyWeasly/Ive_got_you.jpg 3. http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f377/CathyWeasly/rockyou.jpg
4. http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f377/CathyWeasly/Trust_me.jpg 5. http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f377/CathyWeasly/No_paddle.jpg 6. http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f377/CathyWeasly/marc_bolan_cool.jpg

01. I think the text is a bit overbold for the image. Maybe using colors found in the background for the text and then reducing the layer percentage. I like it otherwise and the graininess works well. 02. I the text might work better ina different color with some yellow in it. The white stands out too much. Maybe a white drop shadow with a 10+ blur (if you change the color of the text). 03. I liked this when I first saw it and was looking forward to commenting on it. I like the coloring of the text but perhaps reducing it to 75 or 80 for the layer. 04. I really like this too. Maybe pull the blue in a bit. It's interesting and different. The color of the blue text gets lost in the background of the icon. You may try playing with the text color. There are some greens (i think) in the right side of the face you may play with shades/hues of those colors. 05. Nice use of text. It would help the icon a lot if the face of the person were more discernable. Too much detail was lost (in the resize?). See comment above for Kala_way about controling the detail loss by resizing and adj in stages. 06. I have no idea who this person is, but I liked the icon instantly. I'd have used a diff color text. Maybe from the yellows on the left side.

TTFN

Edit: I use PSPXII so I my suggestions may not be the same for your software.

I thought it was Grinch instead of Grint? Yeah - Iwasn't sure if that was deliberate or not :shrug:


Thanks for all the criticism and ideas!
I've been reading a few tutorials and experimenting with new techniques and stuff. - I've also downloaded some more fonts at last! So I'm going to re-work these icons and re-post them at some point.

01 & 02 are nice b&w's. A bit over sharp. Someone shared w/me a technique of controling over sharpness vs over blurriness by adjusting the image in several stages as you bring it down in size. I really like 2 with the text and images; both the text and the images are over sharp. 03. This is so cute. I really liked it. Needs yellow though. I don't know if someone with matching baggage to mine would be the best of ideas. ;) 05. I have nothing to say abt this other than I like it. A zoom in of fewer characters may be worth a try to see how you like it. 06. Another one I like really well with no for which I have no crit. It's a nice icon. 07. I thought it was Grinch instead of Grint?
Thanks for the concrit! For #1 it was kind of meant to be over sharp/high contrast. It was from a tutorial and meant to look "editorial" I guess. I don't know that I like how intense it is either. For 2, I've kind of given up on the sharpness/blurriness area :lol: I'll get concrit on one icon with some people saying it's too sharp and others saying it's too blurry, so I dunno :hmm: thanks for the tip though! For #3, lol I never thought of that, I guess so huh :lol: For #7, I wasn't too sure of this one, I'd always wanted to do it, but I guess it wasn't very effective. It's Rupert Grint's face blended onto the Grinch's pic and hair made red so it would be more clear. I guess sarcastic icons aren't a good idea.


1. http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i24/kitunen/soar.png 2. http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i24/kitunen/hatetosay.png 3. http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i24/kitunen/alone.png 8. http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i24/kitunen/weasleycorrected.png
1. I like it, but the silhouette would work better if it didn't blend into the mountains behind, maybe the next cap after this or something. I really like the idea though.
2. the spacing is really good and I like the font. The gradient seems a bit off though, maybe in a different shade or covering bits at the top as well, I'm not quite sure.
3. I love this one! The crop is great and I like the texture and coloring.
5. I love the idea and the text, but I think I would erase a bit of the contrast and coloring over the twin on the left, it's very heavy on his face and hair. Great sig though!

Thanks for the concrit! For #1 it was kind of meant to be over sharp/high contrast. It was from a tutorial and meant to look "editorial" I guess. #7, I wasn't too sure of this one, I'd always wanted to do it, but I guess it wasn't very effective. It's Rupert Grint's face blended onto the Grinch's pic and hair made red so it would be more clear. I guess sarcastic icons aren't a good idea.

Oh, you're welcome. Now that you explained it, It makes more sense. Explaining 7 makes more sense too. I didn't see the movie so I didn't know what the original image looked like. It's a good idea. Only those who have knowledge of the subject would get the joke though :/ . I've been meaning for a long time (since I first saw them) the playing card ones (8?) are really nice. Where'd you find the images?

Thanks for all the criticism and ideas!

You're welcome.

Regards

I've been meaning for a long time (since I first saw them) the playing card ones (8?) are really nice. Where'd you find the images? The playing cards? which?

The playing cards? which?

Like the ones in your siggie or the ones below that are diamond shaped.

Regards

Like the ones in your siggie or the ones below that are diamond shaped. Ooh, they're not playing cards actually, they're panels from a fresco by Andrea Castagno (http://www.abcgallery.com/C/castagno/castagno.html) that I maniped a bit so they'd look more like the founders. :)

06. I have no idea who this person is, but I liked the icon instantly. I'd have used a diff color text. Maybe from the yellows on the left side.

That's Marc Bolan, lead singer of T. Rex, a Glam Rock band from the seventies.

Oh do I feel very small here, but all of my graphics are off of my Word Document, so they aren't nearly as nice as the one's here, but they're all story banners too. Is that alright? All I've seen here are mostly avatars or icons.... I'll post them now and if it is not OK I'll delete the post :). Please tear them apart if you must!

*My first ten, all Harry Potter related*

1.
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n179/ginnypotter19/Picture3-2.png

2.
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n179/ginnypotter19/Picture4.png

3.
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n179/ginnypotter19/Picture8.png

4.
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n179/ginnypotter19/Picture9.png

5.
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n179/ginnypotter19/Picture1-9.png

6.
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n179/ginnypotter19/Picture2-4.png

7.
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n179/ginnypotter19/Picture1-13.png

8.
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n179/ginnypotter19/Picture5.png

9.
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n179/ginnypotter19/Picture6.png

10.
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n179/ginnypotter19/Picture1-8.png (this one was made for beki14 so don't use it unless you're a club member that reads her story ;). Kiiiiim!)

I have a few more Harry Potter related ones and then a few non related ones but I'll post those after these have been fully critiqued! :lol:.

These are like nearly 2 years ago - But the most recent harry potter graphics ive made ( time goes so fast!)

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d140/natzbcfc/gryffgal1.png http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d140/natzbcfc/fleurndumby.png http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d140/natzbcfc/1.jpg http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d140/natzbcfc/rita.png http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d140/natzbcfc/txt601.png http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d140/natzbcfc/hush601.png http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d140/natzbcfc/newtxt.png http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d140/natzbcfc/cap583.png http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d140/natzbcfc/iconcap553.jpg

Joni, I like your stuff, but I think for the most part, it's a bit too busy. Like #4. I really can't tell what exatcly it is supposed to be, or who it is supposed to be about. Less is often more. Also, the pictures are often very oddly resized. What I mean is that they are very squished to fit into the space. What program are you using?? Because most will resize things for you so that they come out nice and proportional from their original size to the smaller size. Lastly, a lot of the images are not very good quality. Where do you get your pictures from?? Because often, that makes a big difference.

Don't know where else to post this.

Great places to get screen caps:

http://community.livejournal.com/cap_it/ (click on browse memories)
http://www.themadcapper.net/gallery/index.php (slow to load)

TTFN

Kim, I do my graphics on GIMP now, but those were on word document and yeah, I don't care for them much now because I realize I can erase a lot of the little boxes now with GIMP. The pictures are just normal google pictures that had to suffer from my bad eye taste in what looks good with being squished. :lol:. Thanks for the tip!

Kim, I do my graphics on GIMP now, but those were on word document and yeah, I don't care for them much now because I realize I can erase a lot of the little boxes now with GIMP. The pictures are just normal google pictures that had to suffer from my bad eye taste in what looks good with being squished. . Thanks for the tip!

I think another thing that could help you out is the art of cropping. Instead of taking the whole picture and resizing it think about what you like about the picture (Harry's eyes? Lily's hair? Snape's nose? :lol:) and use only those bits in your art. Sometimes resizing loses the details. Now that you have gimp try working on contrast as well. Finally don't rush. I know some of us take nearly a week to work on one 100x100 icon...:) You have some really great ideas! Good Luck!

I think another thing that could help you out is the art of cropping. Instead of taking the whole picture and resizing it think about what you like about the picture (Harry's eyes? Lily's hair? Snape's nose? :lol:) and use only those bits in your art. Sometimes resizing loses the details. Now that you have gimp try working on contrast as well. Finally don't rush. I know some of us take nearly a week to work on one 100x100 icon...:) You have some really great ideas! Good Luck!

Hehehe...cropping....worst enemy! :lol:. Sad thing is, most of those pictures are cropped, I just didn't want to cut anything off I needed, :lol:. Ooh, I have a pretty new banner somewhere *Oh, it's on MNFF* that has eyes watching someone...It's kind of cool, :lol:. Yeah, I've been practincing on the whole concentrating on one thing. My big toughy really is backgrounds. I never know what to use in the backgrounds! :lol:. o.0 Rush! Yeah, some of them took a few minuts, but believe it or not, it can take me hours just to get something I like on Word! :lol:. Anyway, here is a nice new banner that is GIMP/Photobucket made:

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n179/ginnypotter19/Picture3-9.png

That's a very good banner, ginnypotter19! Nice photo manipulation. For concrit...The photos on the left are a little bit grainy. Also, the text seems to be smushed together. Perhaps you can move some of the words from each other a little and give them breathing room. But overall, it is very nice!

I've made an icon today I'm not so sure about...It's not my usual style.. Any comments/suggestions?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v469/griffiegrrll/Imageherm.jpg

Also, this banner I made...I'm not sure about it...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v469/griffiegrrll/neverleave.jpg

Tonks and Remus are supposed to be blurry//As if they are spirits..

Gryffiegrrl:

Remus/Tonks Banner: Both the images used in this seem to be rather undersaturated. I would reccomend tweaking the colors, to make them a little more vivid. Yes, they are supposed to be ghostly, but the colors as they are now make the banner seem dull. Also, the 'l' of truly runs into the 'v' of love. Yes, it is a tiny nitpick. >.> But I still felt I should point it out. Good job blending Remus and Tonks into the background, by the way.

GinnyPotter:

Till Death: The images here are, again, undersaturated and overly highlighted. Especially the one of Ginny on the far right. Her face sort of blends away into nothing, and the lightness of it all makes it really hard to see. Do you have a textured layer over the top of this? I'd consider putting it onto a lower opacity, to make the images underneath more visible. You might want to play around with layer modes as well.

There also seems to be a big blank space between the text and Ginny's face (on the far right) you may want to increase the font size to take up a bit more of the space. You don't want the text to dominate all the blank space, but as it is now I think you could go a little bigger and you wont lose anything.

I think you did a really good job with the image selection, and I especially like the one of both Ginny and Harry together. Did you find it like that, or did you blend the images?

Here's a couple tuts for use with gimp. Thought you gimp users might enjoy playing with them.

http://community.livejournal.com/icon_tutorial/9007529.html
http://community.livejournal.com/severalplums/18635.html


Regards

Sorry for the necro.

After nearly three years of not using Photoshop (I was a newb when I began using it back in 2005 and I still am), I decided to try my hand at it again. I made the following today:

http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/1407/pottersig1zv7.jpg

The image sources I used were two of the HBP high resolution photos Warner Bros. released to the public. The image of Harry is when he is in Dumbledore's office, holding Dumbledore's wand (http://www.slashfilm.com/wp/wp-content/images/hp6-8.jpg). The image of Dumbledore is when he is sitting in his office (http://www.slashfilm.com/wp/wp-content/images/hp6usatoday1.jpg).

Why did I choose these images? Well, the image of Harry seems to be after Dumbledore died. Dumbledore looks fatigued in the image I chose for him. So basically it's showing that Harry is sad that Dumbledore is gone. Not very creative, I know.

As for making the sig, I simply used the pen tool to cut out the portion of the images I decided to use. If you look at the image of Dumbledore I linked to, you'll see that his body is faced in the opposite direction. I simply reversed it in Photoshop before using the pen tool.

For the background, I used the colors black and green and decided to use Photoshop's cloud filter. I chose black and green because those are some of the colors on the HBP hardback cover. I was going to put some dark purple in there, but it wouldn't have looked right. Then I used a brush for the black stuff behind Dumbledore.

What do you think?

Never seen this thread before :lol: I like your image that you created, maybe adding some text, would make the image look not as plain, but thats just me. ;)

http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn57/CryingTheFallen/Graphics/chominister2.jpg

I used this for the COS graphics thread, not to long ago, any tips for next time? I do think my signature ended up becoming way to purple...

The original coloring of Cho was this http://srv0204-06.sjc3.imeem.com/g/p/6427177dbbaa50b8174de6395e7fdc02_web.jpg

Never seen this thread before :lol: I like your image that you created, maybe adding some text, would make the image look not as plain, but thats just me. ;)
I don't like text that much. If I could create an image that is 500x100, which, in my opinion, is fine with the 1024x768 resolution the board goes by, then I would possibly add some text.


Edit:

Here's a non-HP banner I made a few hours ago. It's been re-sized to follow the rules (I hate that I can't have a 500x100 banner!).

http://i37.tinypic.com/2ninmrq.jpg
http://img237.imageshack.us/img237/1672/aragornsigmenofwestsmalqa5.jpg

[/URL] [url=http://img144.imageshack.us/img144/9407/aragornsigmenofwestii7.jpg]Here (http://img513.imageshack.us/img513/8986/aragornsigmenofwestcg9.jpg) is the original banner.

Attempting to resurrect a dead thread!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v488/lupee/Merlinsig.png

What are your thoughts on this sig? Im trying to create a polished but not overly contrasted image and Im struggling with it because it's rather dark... any thoughts, tips?

I love that pic :D

A color layer of dark gray set to difference would do some good to balance out the brightness. Also, maybe mess with the settings on a curves layer (especially the blue channel).

Good image, but, as you said, it's a bit dark. Adjusting the brightness would do if that's all you wanted to do with it, but I'd usually change the coloring a bit as well.

I decided to fiddle around with the image and got this:

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk1/alossofcolor/c1696342.png

It's a bit much, but I just played around with Brightness/Contrast, Color Balance, Channel Mixer, Hue/Saturation, Curves, and Sharpening. (Modifying images is my favorite part! :p) I know you have Paint Shop Pro so I'm not sure how many of those tools you have. :shrug: But I think just coloring and adding some brightness with a bit of contrast would improve the image a lot. :)

I have all of those tools actually, pretty much the same as PS but no selective coloring :)

Thanks! That's definitely brighter than my image. I've been doing what Kala suggested and it did help.

Beautifically, would you say you adjusted the contrast more or the brightness?

Beautifically, would you say you adjusted the contrast more or the brightness?

Brightness: 26
Contrast: 31

So the contrast was a adjusted a bit more but if you had it a bit lower it would look pretty similar. :)

I fiddled around with it too - but this might still not have enough contrast for ya as it was as bright as I could stand which is not saying much seeing as I love dark pictures :rotfl:. But the sharper pic seemed to have more brightness to it, of course if you didn't wish for the added sharpness this won't be any good.

http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll28/xx_Anakin_xx/Merlinsig-fix-2.png

It is sharpened X2 which I think you have - radius 6, strength 50, Hardlight. Then I adjusted the contrast to -10 (the brightest I could take) and I used the softening tool lightly on their faces and the skyline to cut a bit of the sharpness. Compared to Beatifically's this is still a venture in darkness, so it is likely useless, lol.

I haven't made any graphics or anything in a long time, and I was just messing around with some of the filters and stuff on GIMP, and I ended up with this. It's a Gryffindor banner thing, and it's my first ever attempt at making anything Harry Potter related...
http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/7717/gryffindorbanner.jpg

You don't know.. But whatever you have done is dam good,... Good Job!!! keep it up this..

I made my signature... I enjoy making banners every once in a while when I get inspiration. I frequent a Lost forum (Lostpedia) so I've mostly made Lost-related graphics. I don't consider myself some amazingly talented graphic artist (and I just use paint.net because it's free, not fancy photoshop) but I have made some nice ones that I'm proud of.

larger/original Lupin banner:

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc277/lostaddict12/lupin.jpg