General ConCrit Thread For Graphics

[Kitunen]

Originally Posted by 8m57w6

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 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.

[8m57w6]

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!!

[griffiegrrl]

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?

[8m57w6]

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

Griffie, these 2 are my favorites over all:



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??

[griffiegrrl]

Originally Posted by 8m57w6

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

Griffie, these 2 are my favorites over all:



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!

[masterdumbledor]

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!








I can't decide which version I like better:

[griffiegrrl]

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.

[Drazer]

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.

[Kitunen]

Originally Posted by Drazer

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. 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.

[kala_way]

Originally Posted by Drazer

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.

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!

[flimseycauldron]

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!

[flimseycauldron]

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

[CathyWeasley]

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!

[flimseycauldron]

Originally Posted by CathyWeasly

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....

[CathyWeasley]

Getting skintones to match can be very tricky!

Here are a few of my recent ones:

Firstly HP related:
1.


Non-HP
2

3

4

5
(I think I need to move the text on this one to make it easier to read)


6

[Tenshi]

Originally Posted by CathyWeasly

1.

Non-HP
2

3

4

5
(I think I need to move the text on this one to make it easier to read)


6

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

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

What program are you using again?

[annie_magus]

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.

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

1.

2.

3.


4.
original basefor the motorcycle.

5.

6.

7.

8.

TTFN

[kala_way]

Originally Posted by flimseycauldron

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.

Originally Posted by CathyWeasly

1 3 5 6

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.

Originally Posted by annie_magus

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. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

[CathyWeasley]

Thanks for all the comment!

Originally Posted by Tenshi

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 so I can't unzip new ones - hope to sort it soon though)

Originally Posted by Tenshi

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!

Originally Posted by Tenshi

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!

[Tenshi]

Originally Posted by CathyWeasly

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
I haven't used it myself. Will download it now to see what you can even do with it.