Fusionist's Graphic Attempts

June 14, 2008, 1:03 AM

I've been fooling around with my PhotoShop program lately and I made a few sigs so figured I would post them here and get your opinion on them.

I have been looking through some tutorials online, so I am better off then when I was just experimenting and such.

I'm still new to the whole concept, so the things I made are rather simple >__<

Anyways, here's what I managed to create in the last 2-3 days:

Haseo (in his Xth form) from .hack//G.U.

Riku and Sora from KH: Chain of Memories

Aerith from FFVII: Crisis Core

Rikku from FFX-2

Weiss from FFVII: Dirge of Cerberus

Comments appreciated

June 14, 2008, 1:18 AM

These are pretty good. I'd like to see what you can do with text and C4Ds.

I think the first one is my favourite of the bunch, I like it's colours and the way it flows.

Keep up the good work.

June 14, 2008, 1:41 AM

Pretty good so far! First one is indeed the best one out of them all. Some tips and advices - try to lower the opacity on some of your signatures, such as when it comes to brushes or backgrounds. Don't be afraid to experiment and make good use of blending modes, gradient maps, patterns/textures, and various tools (burn, sharpen, blur, smudging, etc).

June 14, 2008, 2:10 AM

I have something constructive to add.

Try using some thinner borders, the ones you've used above take the focus away from focal point because they're way too thick. You may think they fit in pretty well but they're actually quite distracting.

June 14, 2008, 8:39 AM

Simple but still quite good and I agree with Casanova, try using thinner borders.

June 15, 2008, 6:24 AM

Okay, tried to take into account what you guys said, so here's the next batch:

Not sure who this is to be honest

L and Light from Death Note

Mikami from Death Note (anime)

Fayt from Star Ocean: Till the End of Time

Fuuma and Kamui from X/1999

This one I didn't really do anything since there was already a lot of stuff in the original pic >__<

Once again, comments are appreciated

June 15, 2008, 8:41 AM

1st sig: need some work the C4D is way obvious it's like you haven't done anything to it. D:

2nd sig: Better but I recommend using 1 stock for you see it will make it harder for you if you work with two.

3rd sig: Try adding more effects and it's like Mikami has been cut from his left side.

4th sig: I think it's the best but it's a little bright, don't you think?

5th sig: I see you haven't done anything with just used brushes I think at the bottom. xD

June 15, 2008, 12:27 PM

I like the 2nd sig the best. Make sure you spend more time with your sigs and not just place brushes here and there. I know it's kind of hard to do when you're a beginner, but just be patient with your work and you'll get it soon enough.

Experiment with the colors (press CTRL + U) and gradient maps. When you use C4Ds (I'm assuming you started using them since I see that you used it in your first sig for a background - unless that's a brush...? o.o), make sure the placement is appropriate and experiment with the blending mode and see which one works best.

June 15, 2008, 1:07 PM

Well your worls certainly look better now that the borders are smaller. I still think the very first one you posted is your best.

I'd like to suggest you work with less light. Everything's just so bright.

Unless you already know this: The next time you're working with renders, duplicate the layer about 5 times and spread them out to make your background. Use the smudge tool to make them unrecognisable and use a filter to make them look like swirls or something. You could use blending techniques also but just make sure that your focal point is above all the duplications before you start smudging and that your background layer is kept blank and coloured, not just plain white.

I hope this works as well for you as it has for me.