Post: Mario
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08-18-2010, 03:46 AM
#1
ToeMold
Wait...what?
For this piece, I found an age old render of mario tried to do my best with it.
Because I am a graphics ametuer, don't expect this to be flawless. I did however try my best, and used a lot of trial and error.
If possible, when providing feedback be as exact as possible so that it will help me develop my skills (or lack of them
)The following user thanked ToeMold for this useful post:
08-18-2010, 03:48 AM
#2
RS*_Depression
I’m too L33T
08-18-2010, 03:54 AM
#3
ToeMold
Wait...what?
Originally posted by Depression
Before I critique you (and believe me, I will be detailed, honest, and thorough), I'd like to know a couple things:
-Is this your first tag?
-If not, how long have you been doing digital art?
-What program are you using?
-Is this your first tag?
-If not, how long have you been doing digital art?
-What program are you using?
I would say it's my first decent looking tag. All of my other ones have been basically copying and pasting a render onto a background, doing nothing with it and adding text. So this is my first using some techniques I have read on tutorials.
Also, I am using Photoshop CS3.
//AC
P.S
Thanks man
08-18-2010, 04:04 AM
#4
reaply
Haxor!
Originally posted by Awesomechaos
My first post in this section that displays my own work, so yay to get by that milestone
For this piece, I found an age old render of mario tried to do my best with it.
Because I am a graphics ametuer, don't expect this to be flawless. I did however try my best, and used a lot of trial and error.
If possible, when providing feedback be as exact as possible so that it will help me develop my skills (or lack of them)
For this piece, I found an age old render of mario tried to do my best with it.
Because I am a graphics ametuer, don't expect this to be flawless. I did however try my best, and used a lot of trial and error.
If possible, when providing feedback be as exact as possible so that it will help me develop my skills (or lack of them
)Not bad, but i'm not a fan of the size. I'm used to something like 500x110 :p
08-18-2010, 04:37 AM
#5
RS*_Depression
I’m too L33T
Well, that doesn't tell me how long you've been doing digital art, but it does give me an idea of your experience time with it...
Now, before I post, let me tell you that I'm going to split this into a few different segments, to talk about your render, background, and whatever else comes to mind as I'm writing. It will be decently long.
1. Render/Focal
To start, I'll say that you picked a decent focal point for the tag. Take a look at it - it's good quality for a video game render; when you pick a focal to use, try not to use anything too much like PS1 or N64/GC quality, because old-school graphics mixed with the kind of sharpness, texture and quality we use as digital artists is a tough sell. You always want to make sure that your focal point in your tag, the part of the tag that you want the viewer's eyes to rest on, is as high quality as possible. That means a sharp, smooth render/stock.
Another good thing about this render is that it has a lot of natural action, which I'll mention more later.
Now onto the not-so-good. The first thing I notice is that most of the render, including the face (which is almost ALWAYS the first thing that your eye will rest on), is blurry. That's never a good thing. You always want to make sure that your focal is as sharp as the rest of the tag - if not a little sharper.
That's about all I want to say about your render under this heading, but I'll probably reference it again later.
2. Background
You certainly have got some idea of what a good background is. While this isn't exactly professional, it's certainly better than a lot of early-work I see.
The first thing I notice is that the background, while simple, is well put together. The texture isn't bad, and the shading of the edges is actually a really decent touch here. You've done a good job by not throwing a bunch of effects or random brushes on it, or using clashing colors or colors that blend the render in.
Now, the background is a part of the tag that gives atmosphere and concept to the tag, as much as (and sometimes more than) the effects you use. Remember that as you get better, and pick a fitting background for your focal. Normally, you don't want a really bloody, dark background with a happy anime girl. That would be weird.
3. Effects
Again, what surprises me with your tag is that you didn't abuse brushes or c4ds or fractals, or really anything in the effects. You have some nice, simple, clean ripple filter (if I'm correct in calling what filter you used lol) here that really isn't bad at all. However, there are some things to think about.
Like your render, the effects are very blurry for some reason. This almost entirely ruins the good job you did with them, I hate to say it.
4. Flow
As a new digital artist, I really can't penalize you for any technical flaws in your tags. Heck, I can't really penalize you for anything you do in your art. It's your vision, and your work, and all I'm doing is just giving you a single critic's opinion.
Anyway, onto the concept of flow. This is a term used to describe the "motion" or "movement" in your art. As an example, take a look at your tag. Do you see the effects you used, and how they originate on the render, move diagonally up-right, and then stop? The flow line for those effects would be that same path. On the other hand, your render's flow line follows the angle of the arms, from the far hand (in the bottom right) to the near hand (top left).
Do you see how those two flow lines are going in different directions? This is something that, as you progress, you'll want to avoid. But I really shouldn't make it that simple. It's a bit hard to explain why, but I'll give it a shot:
There are two basic types of flow: single-direction, and what I like to call "explosion" flow. The first type is simple. All of the motion in the tag follows one general direction. The second type, "explosion" flow, can have flow lines going in a dozen different directions, but they all start from one area, whether it's the focal itself, or a small area in the tag. Both types are effective in their own way, and more complex than I am making them, but right now I just want to give you the basic gist of things.
I know I probably missed a dozen things here (that happens a lot when I'm writing a lot), so if you want me to cover anything else, just mention it!
You've got a lot to learn, but a great head start.
Now, before I post, let me tell you that I'm going to split this into a few different segments, to talk about your render, background, and whatever else comes to mind as I'm writing. It will be decently long.
1. Render/Focal
To start, I'll say that you picked a decent focal point for the tag. Take a look at it - it's good quality for a video game render; when you pick a focal to use, try not to use anything too much like PS1 or N64/GC quality, because old-school graphics mixed with the kind of sharpness, texture and quality we use as digital artists is a tough sell. You always want to make sure that your focal point in your tag, the part of the tag that you want the viewer's eyes to rest on, is as high quality as possible. That means a sharp, smooth render/stock.
Another good thing about this render is that it has a lot of natural action, which I'll mention more later.
Now onto the not-so-good. The first thing I notice is that most of the render, including the face (which is almost ALWAYS the first thing that your eye will rest on), is blurry. That's never a good thing. You always want to make sure that your focal is as sharp as the rest of the tag - if not a little sharper.
That's about all I want to say about your render under this heading, but I'll probably reference it again later.
2. Background
You certainly have got some idea of what a good background is. While this isn't exactly professional, it's certainly better than a lot of early-work I see.
The first thing I notice is that the background, while simple, is well put together. The texture isn't bad, and the shading of the edges is actually a really decent touch here. You've done a good job by not throwing a bunch of effects or random brushes on it, or using clashing colors or colors that blend the render in.
Now, the background is a part of the tag that gives atmosphere and concept to the tag, as much as (and sometimes more than) the effects you use. Remember that as you get better, and pick a fitting background for your focal. Normally, you don't want a really bloody, dark background with a happy anime girl. That would be weird.
3. Effects
Again, what surprises me with your tag is that you didn't abuse brushes or c4ds or fractals, or really anything in the effects. You have some nice, simple, clean ripple filter (if I'm correct in calling what filter you used lol) here that really isn't bad at all. However, there are some things to think about.
Like your render, the effects are very blurry for some reason. This almost entirely ruins the good job you did with them, I hate to say it.
4. Flow
As a new digital artist, I really can't penalize you for any technical flaws in your tags. Heck, I can't really penalize you for anything you do in your art. It's your vision, and your work, and all I'm doing is just giving you a single critic's opinion.
Anyway, onto the concept of flow. This is a term used to describe the "motion" or "movement" in your art. As an example, take a look at your tag. Do you see the effects you used, and how they originate on the render, move diagonally up-right, and then stop? The flow line for those effects would be that same path. On the other hand, your render's flow line follows the angle of the arms, from the far hand (in the bottom right) to the near hand (top left).
Do you see how those two flow lines are going in different directions? This is something that, as you progress, you'll want to avoid. But I really shouldn't make it that simple. It's a bit hard to explain why, but I'll give it a shot:
There are two basic types of flow: single-direction, and what I like to call "explosion" flow. The first type is simple. All of the motion in the tag follows one general direction. The second type, "explosion" flow, can have flow lines going in a dozen different directions, but they all start from one area, whether it's the focal itself, or a small area in the tag. Both types are effective in their own way, and more complex than I am making them, but right now I just want to give you the basic gist of things.
I know I probably missed a dozen things here (that happens a lot when I'm writing a lot), so if you want me to cover anything else, just mention it!
You've got a lot to learn, but a great head start.
The following 3 users say thank you to RS*_Depression for this useful post:
08-18-2010, 04:47 AM
#6
ToeMold
Wait...what?
Originally posted by Depression
Well, that doesn't tell me how long you've been doing digital art, but it does give me an idea of your experience time with it...
Now, before I post, let me tell you that I'm going to split this into a few different segments, to talk about your render, background, and whatever else comes to mind as I'm writing. It will be decently long.
1. Render/Focal
To start, I'll say that you picked a decent focal point for the tag. Take a look at it - it's good quality for a video game render; when you pick a focal to use, try not to use anything too much like PS1 or N64/GC quality, because old-school graphics mixed with the kind of sharpness, texture and quality we use as digital artists is a tough sell. You always want to make sure that your focal point in your tag, the part of the tag that you want the viewer's eyes to rest on, is as high quality as possible. That means a sharp, smooth render/stock.
Another good thing about this render is that it has a lot of natural action, which I'll mention more later.
Now onto the not-so-good. The first thing I notice is that most of the render, including the face (which is almost ALWAYS the first thing that your eye will rest on), is blurry. That's never a good thing. You always want to make sure that your focal is as sharp as the rest of the tag - if not a little sharper.
That's about all I want to say about your render under this heading, but I'll probably reference it again later.
2. Background
You certainly have got some idea of what a good background is. While this isn't exactly professional, it's certainly better than a lot of early-work I see.
The first thing I notice is that the background, while simple, is well put together. The texture isn't bad, and the shading of the edges is actually a really decent touch here. You've done a good job by not throwing a bunch of effects or random brushes on it, or using clashing colors or colors that blend the render in.
Now, the background is a part of the tag that gives atmosphere and concept to the tag, as much as (and sometimes more than) the effects you use. Remember that as you get better, and pick a fitting background for your focal. Normally, you don't want a really bloody, dark background with a happy anime girl. That would be weird.
3. Effects
Again, what surprises me with your tag is that you didn't abuse brushes or c4ds or fractals, or really anything in the effects. You have some nice, simple, clean ripple filter (if I'm correct in calling what filter you used lol) here that really isn't bad at all. However, there are some things to think about.
Like your render, the effects are very blurry for some reason. This almost entirely ruins the good job you did with them, I hate to say it.
4. Flow
As a new digital artist, I really can't penalize you for any technical flaws in your tags. Heck, I can't really penalize you for anything you do in your art. It's your vision, and your work, and all I'm doing is just giving you a single critic's opinion.
Anyway, onto the concept of flow. This is a term used to describe the "motion" or "movement" in your art. As an example, take a look at your tag. Do you see the effects you used, and how they originate on the render, move diagonally up-right, and then stop? The flow line for those effects would be that same path. On the other hand, your render's flow line follows the angle of the arms, from the far hand (in the bottom right) to the near hand (top left).
Do you see how those two flow lines are going in different directions? This is something that, as you progress, you'll want to avoid. But I really shouldn't make it that simple. It's a bit hard to explain why, but I'll give it a shot:
There are two basic types of flow: single-direction, and what I like to call "explosion" flow. The first type is simple. All of the motion in the tag follows one general direction. The second type, "explosion" flow, can have flow lines going in a dozen different directions, but they all start from one area, whether it's the focal itself, or a small area in the tag. Both types are effective in their own way, and more complex than I am making them, but right now I just want to give you the basic gist of things.
I know I probably missed a dozen things here (that happens a lot when I'm writing a lot), so if you want me to cover anything else, just mention it!
You've got a lot to learn, but a great head start.
Now, before I post, let me tell you that I'm going to split this into a few different segments, to talk about your render, background, and whatever else comes to mind as I'm writing. It will be decently long.
1. Render/Focal
To start, I'll say that you picked a decent focal point for the tag. Take a look at it - it's good quality for a video game render; when you pick a focal to use, try not to use anything too much like PS1 or N64/GC quality, because old-school graphics mixed with the kind of sharpness, texture and quality we use as digital artists is a tough sell. You always want to make sure that your focal point in your tag, the part of the tag that you want the viewer's eyes to rest on, is as high quality as possible. That means a sharp, smooth render/stock.
Another good thing about this render is that it has a lot of natural action, which I'll mention more later.
Now onto the not-so-good. The first thing I notice is that most of the render, including the face (which is almost ALWAYS the first thing that your eye will rest on), is blurry. That's never a good thing. You always want to make sure that your focal is as sharp as the rest of the tag - if not a little sharper.
That's about all I want to say about your render under this heading, but I'll probably reference it again later.
2. Background
You certainly have got some idea of what a good background is. While this isn't exactly professional, it's certainly better than a lot of early-work I see.
The first thing I notice is that the background, while simple, is well put together. The texture isn't bad, and the shading of the edges is actually a really decent touch here. You've done a good job by not throwing a bunch of effects or random brushes on it, or using clashing colors or colors that blend the render in.
Now, the background is a part of the tag that gives atmosphere and concept to the tag, as much as (and sometimes more than) the effects you use. Remember that as you get better, and pick a fitting background for your focal. Normally, you don't want a really bloody, dark background with a happy anime girl. That would be weird.
3. Effects
Again, what surprises me with your tag is that you didn't abuse brushes or c4ds or fractals, or really anything in the effects. You have some nice, simple, clean ripple filter (if I'm correct in calling what filter you used lol) here that really isn't bad at all. However, there are some things to think about.
Like your render, the effects are very blurry for some reason. This almost entirely ruins the good job you did with them, I hate to say it.
4. Flow
As a new digital artist, I really can't penalize you for any technical flaws in your tags. Heck, I can't really penalize you for anything you do in your art. It's your vision, and your work, and all I'm doing is just giving you a single critic's opinion.
Anyway, onto the concept of flow. This is a term used to describe the "motion" or "movement" in your art. As an example, take a look at your tag. Do you see the effects you used, and how they originate on the render, move diagonally up-right, and then stop? The flow line for those effects would be that same path. On the other hand, your render's flow line follows the angle of the arms, from the far hand (in the bottom right) to the near hand (top left).
Do you see how those two flow lines are going in different directions? This is something that, as you progress, you'll want to avoid. But I really shouldn't make it that simple. It's a bit hard to explain why, but I'll give it a shot:
There are two basic types of flow: single-direction, and what I like to call "explosion" flow. The first type is simple. All of the motion in the tag follows one general direction. The second type, "explosion" flow, can have flow lines going in a dozen different directions, but they all start from one area, whether it's the focal itself, or a small area in the tag. Both types are effective in their own way, and more complex than I am making them, but right now I just want to give you the basic gist of things.
I know I probably missed a dozen things here (that happens a lot when I'm writing a lot), so if you want me to cover anything else, just mention it!
You've got a lot to learn, but a great head start.
Thanks for this very thought out and developed post. I will definitely note it for future work.
Just to give you some sort of idea of why the blur is in there...I'm sure you might have guessed, but in-case not...it was to try to add depth.
I think I got it wrong in this instance because it wasn't needed greatly. Simply I blurred the back of the render, and when getting to the front I decreased the blur % as I got closer to the hand. Then I sharpened the hand to be more focused.
I guess a major mistake that I have now realised is that I couldn't emphasise my focal point well.
Thanks again man :bro:
//AC
P.S
I've been getting into digital art for around a few weeks now. Ever since joining NGU I've admired the work posted, and I figured I would give it a good shot and try to develop my skills at it.
08-18-2010, 04:57 AM
#7
RS*_Depression
I’m too L33T
Also, I'd like to add something about size, thanks to reaply's post.
Guess I'll make it a little addendum...
5. Size
When you're making a piece of art, there are generally 3 categories I like to use. The first is a "tag", which is basically any piece of art that in on a small canvas. By small, I don't mean 100x100, but any piece of art that is similar to a signature size.
The second category I use is "sig", which is really just any tag that is made for the purpose of wearing on a forum or for someone else to wear on a forum. A tag's size isn't restricted by any size limits, but a sig's is, which sometimes effects the way you go about making the tag.
The final category is "LP" or "Large Project". This is used to denote anything significantly bigger, or with obviously different dimensions than a sig or tag. That means that a wallpaper, a big forum banner, or even a 400x400 square canvas, is an LP in my book.
You should never restrict yourself based on size limits of a forum, but you should take into consideration the focal you're using. While you don't want to have the tag too cramped with a giant focal, but you also don't want to make it so big that the focal is lost in the pure size of the canvas.
It's a fickle process, and you're going to get told a _lot_ that you're either using too small canvases, or that you have too much empty space. Just try to pick out a good size for what you're working with.
---------- Post added at 12:57 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:54 AM ----------
Ahh, depth. Yes, I figured that was what you were attempting, but you're honestly too early on in your graphics career to be worrying about that just yet.
I will admit, you have a good idea of what makes the illusion of depth, but your execution wasn't on point. Remember, the face is the main focal point you want to emphasize.
Guess I'll make it a little addendum...
5. Size
When you're making a piece of art, there are generally 3 categories I like to use. The first is a "tag", which is basically any piece of art that in on a small canvas. By small, I don't mean 100x100, but any piece of art that is similar to a signature size.
The second category I use is "sig", which is really just any tag that is made for the purpose of wearing on a forum or for someone else to wear on a forum. A tag's size isn't restricted by any size limits, but a sig's is, which sometimes effects the way you go about making the tag.
The final category is "LP" or "Large Project". This is used to denote anything significantly bigger, or with obviously different dimensions than a sig or tag. That means that a wallpaper, a big forum banner, or even a 400x400 square canvas, is an LP in my book.
You should never restrict yourself based on size limits of a forum, but you should take into consideration the focal you're using. While you don't want to have the tag too cramped with a giant focal, but you also don't want to make it so big that the focal is lost in the pure size of the canvas.
It's a fickle process, and you're going to get told a _lot_ that you're either using too small canvases, or that you have too much empty space. Just try to pick out a good size for what you're working with.
---------- Post added at 12:57 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:54 AM ----------
Ahh, depth. Yes, I figured that was what you were attempting, but you're honestly too early on in your graphics career to be worrying about that just yet.
I will admit, you have a good idea of what makes the illusion of depth, but your execution wasn't on point. Remember, the face is the main focal point you want to emphasize.
The following user thanked RS*_Depression for this useful post:
08-18-2010, 05:01 AM
#8
ToeMold
Wait...what?
Originally posted by Depression
Also, I'd like to add something about size, thanks to reaply's post.
Guess I'll make it a little addendum...
5. Size
When you're making a piece of art, there are generally 3 categories I like to use. The first is a "tag", which is basically any piece of art that in on a small canvas. By small, I don't mean 100x100, but any piece of art that is similar to a signature size.
The second category I use is "sig", which is really just any tag that is made for the purpose of wearing on a forum or for someone else to wear on a forum. A tag's size isn't restricted by any size limits, but a sig's is, which sometimes effects the way you go about making the tag.
The final category is "LP" or "Large Project". This is used to denote anything significantly bigger, or with obviously different dimensions than a sig or tag. That means that a wallpaper, a big forum banner, or even a 400x400 square canvas, is an LP in my book.
You should never restrict yourself based on size limits of a forum, but you should take into consideration the focal you're using. While you don't want to have the tag too cramped with a giant focal, but you also don't want to make it so big that the focal is lost in the pure size of the canvas.
It's a fickle process, and you're going to get told a _lot_ that you're either using too small canvases, or that you have too much empty space. Just try to pick out a good size for what you're working with.
---------- Post added at 12:57 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:54 AM ----------
Ahh, depth. Yes, I figured that was what you were attempting, but you're honestly too early on in your graphics career to be worrying about that just yet.
I will admit, you have a good idea of what makes the illusion of depth, but your execution wasn't on point. Remember, the face is the main focal point you want to emphasize.
Guess I'll make it a little addendum...
5. Size
When you're making a piece of art, there are generally 3 categories I like to use. The first is a "tag", which is basically any piece of art that in on a small canvas. By small, I don't mean 100x100, but any piece of art that is similar to a signature size.
The second category I use is "sig", which is really just any tag that is made for the purpose of wearing on a forum or for someone else to wear on a forum. A tag's size isn't restricted by any size limits, but a sig's is, which sometimes effects the way you go about making the tag.
The final category is "LP" or "Large Project". This is used to denote anything significantly bigger, or with obviously different dimensions than a sig or tag. That means that a wallpaper, a big forum banner, or even a 400x400 square canvas, is an LP in my book.
You should never restrict yourself based on size limits of a forum, but you should take into consideration the focal you're using. While you don't want to have the tag too cramped with a giant focal, but you also don't want to make it so big that the focal is lost in the pure size of the canvas.
It's a fickle process, and you're going to get told a _lot_ that you're either using too small canvases, or that you have too much empty space. Just try to pick out a good size for what you're working with.
---------- Post added at 12:57 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:54 AM ----------
Ahh, depth. Yes, I figured that was what you were attempting, but you're honestly too early on in your graphics career to be worrying about that just yet.
I will admit, you have a good idea of what makes the illusion of depth, but your execution wasn't on point. Remember, the face is the main focal point you want to emphasize.
Thanks again man.
Could I ask one more thing of you? :angel:
If I was to post the render that I used [https://i38.tinypic.com/11uajqu.png] could you put some sort of arrow on it to show me where the flow should have gone in your opinion?
It would be a little easier to take in where I had went wrong with the flow and natural flow I think
Thanks sooo much man, you're the best :y:
//AC
08-18-2010, 05:21 AM
#9
RS*_Depression
I’m too L33T
08-18-2010, 05:26 AM
#10
ToeMold
Wait...what?
Originally posted by Depression
Looks easy to follow to me, but just to confirm...:whistle:
The green lines on the top image is how the flow should have been, and the blue lines are how I used flow; but on the bottom image the green line is the same (the natural flow) and the blue lines are how I could adjust it so that it resembles the natural flow?
I apologise for flooding you with questions, and I applaud your help. Thanks ever so much once again
//AC
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