I decided to try my hand at GFX, so at first I tried a Dante one... I got these two out of random clicking. I don't like them very much though, and yet I do.





This one took me longer, and Sentenal was explaining me stuff step by step. I like this one, particularly. This is Sonsaku Hakufu from Ikkitousen.



Comments? D:

From the first two, i like the second one Why because its easier to see the person than in the first The last one is a nice one but the text can be a little better (sorry for no periods the button on my comp is messed up)

oh by the way if you want to kearn specific techniques i will show you if you want ok ^_^ ^_^ ^_^

Yeah, I think I had too much text by adding Nanyo Academy. D:

You heard my comments on MSN. :]

Basically, when dealing with text, you want to make sure you have five things down pat -- the fonts, which are a big part of it, the size (if it's too small or big), the color (you can't have white on white :P), the spacing (if you have seperate text, make sure it's either placed well or not too far/near) and the amount (goes along with spacing -- a lot of text is alright as long as it's spaced evenly). You also might want to try suitable font styles dealing with your piece (don't choose a really grungy font for a light, pastel piece).

Basically, the only qualms I have with the third one are the sharpness, lack of eye-catching color, and the spread out overdose of font. Otherwise, great start!

Yeah SPZ, those are god for a first go at GFX. They make it to at least a rating of 6/10 on my list.

wow for a first try, its pretty good. The top two are a bit plane, but besides looking at that, their pretty good.

As for the Nanyo Academy Sig, it looks great; 7/10 (I'm a tough critique lol)

I did this one just now. I was randomly using effects, but I like how it turned out. Comments?



Edit: I had NO idea what to put down for text. NONE. :wry:

For this one, the hair on the right needs to blend into the other colors more. It seems to blocky and misplaced.
The same for the lightning in on the left. Because it is lighting, the stuff around it would show more light.

And for your new one, I think you need to have something that isn't faded out in there. It seems like the two people aren't in the very front, kind of in the middle, and the text is above them, the foreground.

The Hakufu one not only has too much text, but the banner itself is too busy. Plus, as someone mentioned already, it seems a bit over-sharpened I think.

Your newest one actually isn't that bad...except the "PhantomZero" text is horrible. :(

I never was good with where I should put text and stuff.

Stupid question, but your using Photoshop, right? As a suggestion for text effects, trying using stroke in the blending options for the text. That would allow it to stand out a bit more.

Other than that, the new one looks pretty good, 7.5/10, I really like the Texture or Pattern (Whichever it is) that your using.

I fixed the text. This is my result



Edit: Yup. Photoshop. Thanks much for the advice.

Those very first 2, before I got a hold of you, were bad :(

The one we worked together on was decent, as is the last one.

Everyone is better then me at GFX :(

They are really good SPZ ^.^ I like the 3rd one there 7/10

Ooh, not bad.

Still lacks eye-catching factor (color, effects). It just doesn't look like you did much to it. Text spacing/font could use some work too.

Interesting though. Keep it up. :woot:

I literally think a part of my soul died when I made this. The special effects and that red.... THAT PINKISH RED. ;_;

I do kind of like it.

Hmm... you might want to lower your incredible use of wave/liquify/ripple.

QFT

I will remake this tomorrow. :wry:

Good luck with that. :psyduck: :ph43r: (H)

... :slowpoke:

SPZ, what kind of effect did you use for Lost Identity? I can't quite find something that matches that sort of effect

You could also have a border around it.
XD

I was fixing it this morning, and it came to this. I took out one of my special effects (I don't even remember. x_o) and I played around with some Gradient Masks.

The quality of the colors and image are pretty bad, seeing as this image came from a 1600x1200 wallpaper. But I think it turned out pretty well.

The text doesn't seem to suit the image.
And yet again, it feels like everything is in the background; everything feels to faded out.

And though it looks nice, it seems to be overworked.

I used the color of his hair.

Again, the quality of the pic was not that great in the first place so it's only expected for that. I only used Ocean Ripples/Wave. The only reason it seems like so much is in the background was cause it was a starry sky. This sig only took 15 minutes, I don't consider it overworked. x_o

I only use Ocean Ripples when I want to smudge the crap out of them.

Beyond that, I primarily use Wave, Ripple, and Blur. Also, for text, remmeber to select a color from the banner (like a light color, or a dark color), set it to soft light, and duplicate it a few times till you can see it. Makes it blend better.

Not all the time, although it's a good starting point. If it looks ugly when soft lighted than just set it to normal and lower the opacity--then add in colorization techniques to help make it blend. You could also consider doing something among the lines of making white/black text and making a black/white stroke, setting it at 1 or 2 pixels, and then from there go ahead and tinker with blending techniques.

Your newest update's pretty good....just need to fix the text. :slowpoke:

Interesting. A little busy, though. And the text is iffy.

That's what I meant when I said "overworked"

:slowpoke:

Oh. :psyduck:

Well, I'm just agreeing with you, then... >_>

New update!

This is Rue from one of my favorite games ever: Threads of Fate.

Mmm. Different. I think it's a little too plain, though; it looks like you did minimal to the image itself, and the drab white in the background does help the image to stand out, but all in all, it could be much better. The waviness of the quote is a little awkward, and I think you could've either chosen a better font, or have done more effects with that font.

I still don't really know too much on font (Feez said he'd teach me more) and I couldn't figure out what else to do with the original image.

I'll end up fixing this once I get like, new brushes. x_o

Try using stocks; images which you can use in the background. One of the best places for stocks is here; you can find many beautiful photos. Here's another thought -- once you finish your sig, try making a new layer, putting it on top, going to Edit (I think?) > Apply Image. Then, go to Edit > Adjustments > Hue/Saturation, alter the Hue or Saturation, then blend the image over. You can get some interesting effects.

For text, try lining up your text close together, as long as it's not blending in too much. You can create the kind of text I did for the "Judge" EXEW mini banner by duplicating the text and using Motion Blur on the lower layer. Also try putting spaces between your letters, or flipping the text backwards, like in Riki and Levia's newer sigs.

And I think you should have switched the order; have the opaque image on top of the transparent one. That way you don't have that weird spot on his arms where you see the guys body right there.

Ta-da! Updated version of Rue sig. I tried to do him justice, as he is one of my favorite video game characters since my childhood.



I think I did ok. o.o

The edge of Rue's face seems to be a little choppy (maybe it's the image?) and I'm not too into 3D-ish borders. Text could use some work too. But it's an improvement.

It's the image, the game is like a decade old and there is almost no art for it. :(. Text could use standing out more I guess...

But thanks.

Decent attempt at doing something rather basic. Not much of a fan of the border, but the text is much better.

Good job, you're getting better at least.

Just you wait Rue, I shall do you justice yet. D:

The image itself also looks too bright for the background. It has a glaring contrast between the two; the foreground and background.