Digital Art

[assie-chan]

Hello, I got kind of bored, and I thought I'd throw up some of my art from my personal site (http://wings.infinite9.net). I'd really like some solid critique... I'm very good at handling critism, so anything you could tell me to improve would be helpful.

Piece one: http://wings.infinite9.net/site/artista/TieTheKnot.jpg
Piece two: http://wings.infinite9.net/site/artista/NightRiver.jpg

Average creation time: 4.5 hours

It was all created in a freeware program (the GIMP), so keep that in mind if you're suggesting effects. I have limited use of filters and fancy gadgets. =)

[spinter]

First, i think 4.5 hours is too long to make pic like that. it could be more faster, but it doesn't really count. coz we see the result, rite? =P.

by the way, in the first one, the effects aren't match well with the pic.
in the second one, the background doesn't really match with the pic. my suggestion u use vector background like polar coordinates for the 2nd one.

[assie-chan]

Hmm, I think the effects are okay. Can you help me with why you don't think they fit? I'm not quite sure what effects you are talking about, either. I did use quite a few. As for you suggestion on number two... what are polar co-ordinates. As I said, when suggesting effects, you have to keep in mind that I don't have Photoshop.

(BTW, I'm fairly new to digital imagry, so it takes me a while longer than it might take you, and I see no reason to rush myself, ha ha, it's not like I have anything better to do.)

[Ashley425]

First, i think 4.5 hours is too long to make pic like that. it could be more faster, but it doesn't really count. coz we see the result, rite? =P.

Have you ever vectored? It takes a lot more time than it may look.

by the way, in the first one, the effects aren't match well with the pic.

I disagree. I think the colors compliment eachother quite well. I like looking at grey, black, red, and white  together.  In fact, it's one of my favorite color schemes. The texture is also a good touch. Having good blending skills and vector skills and combining them, really do have an awesome ouctome. As for my critism, I'll begin with this one. If you look closely, you can see some lines of the vector aren't connecting..(ex: the bottom of the left hand) So just make sure to look over your vector before finishing it

in the second one, the background doesn't really match with the pic. my suggestion u use vector background like polar coordinates for the 2nd one.

I agree with the background not fitting, but I don't think polar coordinates would look any better. I would try a solid color with maybe a light pattern? It looks weird having a solid colored vector with blended colors in the back sometimes..And sometimes it looks fine..I can manage to pull it off sometimes. Try experimenting with just solid colors for the background. (just a suggestion..) So..no more about the background. The next issue with this one is the color choice. I think the colors shouldnt be so dull. Lighten it up, make it exciting! One more thing, if you look at the top of her shoulder you'll see some color wasn't filled in there..So again, make sure to double check your work before saying its done

In the end, your vectors are pretty well executed. I like your style of outlining in your vectors and having a texture somewhere. I believe you may need a bit more practice though, but don't we all? ;) Keep it up!

[PAche]

wow.i'd say, you did that pretty fast, 4.5hours XD

i love the first piece, with the contrasting yet complementing style, texture, and colour.and the whole abstract thing is cool. something unique, thats for sure. good job there.pretty good balance too.

as for the second one, her hair is a little too...different from each other.like the top, its more spiky, but at the end theres suddenly soft twirls. the hand is also kinda outta shape, though i cant blame you hands are hard to draw and trace.also, i think the glitter is out of place in that drap bg.so basically, change the bg to a livelier one, and remove the glitter, i think it'll be better that way

i'm guessing you outlined them by using stroke right?if you did, i'd recommend you fill instead.you outline the outline using the pen tool, then fill it.cos by stroking, the lines tend to be less smooth, and also it prevents situations where the skin or whatever you're outlining gets sort of left out.like what ashley says. the shoulder is not filled there.also, by using fill, you get a more uneven width for the outline, making the piece a little more...your own and less standard

[assie-chan]

Thank you all for your suggestions. I'll be opening up the GIMP and seeing what I can't do to improve... and yes, these are my first vectors (the first was to just practice, and the second one was to attempt hair).

Ashley: I will be sure to check more carefully next time... sometimes near the end I tend to get impatient to see the outcome. ^^;; For the pattern, I was actually looking for an excuse to try out the new patterns on Celestial Star, perhaps I'll try a few of them for this ;)

PAche: Next time, I will try to keep the hair more "even." The hair seems to be quite difficult for me. I will remove some of the glitter, but I'm too fond of it to remove all of it ^^;;;

Not using stroke? =O ^^ I will try your way next time and see how it turns out. Maybe I'll like it so much I'll always use it... maybe not. =P

[PAche]

your first vector was the first image?o.o wow.mine was a vector that i made into a wallpaper.nowhere near as breathtaking as yours.-claps hand-but there is a long way yet for you.strive to improve! x)

[assie-chan]

=) Thank-you! I know I need to improve, and I have a half finished vector that I've now been roused to finish =D I will try your method of outlining and  use some of your suggestions, and then hopefully you'll all be able to give a couple more pointers. I'm always looking to improve =)

[Ashley425]

Ashley: I will be sure to check more carefully next time... sometimes near the end I tend to get impatient to see the outcome. ^^;; For the pattern, I was actually looking for an excuse to try out the new patterns on Celestial Star, perhaps I'll try a few of them for this ;)

Oh. Well, was did these creations of yours involve your own textures or from somewhere else? I think it's better to use your own textures to enhance your own style, but if you want to use other textures, go ahead XD

[assie-chan]

I tend to be bad in making my own textures, the always look over brushed... The only 3rd. party resources I've used so far, though, was on the first one for the dress, was a texture from Celestial Star. The rest were either default brushes/patterns or taken on my crappy digital camera and enhanced, brushed, and a couple filters/ layer effects added.

[americanangel]

I really like the first image - Tie the knot. The texture and overall image itself is very well done. ^^ I have tried doing digital art, and generally it just comes out like blobs of nothing. XD Kudos to you for having the talent and ability to be able to do this! The second image is also well done, but I think that the texture in the bakground part of the image could be a bit more prominent.

[assie-chan]

More prominent? I like to stay away from prominent backgrounds, since they're rarely my focal point. But perhaps I'll create a "true" background for the next one... It's a landscape-oriented piece, with a kind of First Nations looking-girl (subject to change ^^;;).