Riku got himself Photoshop [:

[Davey Gaga]

I actually acquired it around the same time as Mark and the others, but I never got around to actually broadcasting much of my work. I haven't really managed to get passed using brushes, so I'm still learning quite a lot. All tips, hints and advice are totally welcome, but don't bash on the early attempts too much

#1.

I had absolutely no idea what I was doing here, the tutorials I was listening to were absolutely pathetic ... so I ended up taking a brush and, literally, just scribbling.

#2.

I was just starting to familiarise myself with various techniques with this one - you can all agree it was a massive improvement from the first one.

#3.

I had now learned how to download brushes and experiment with blending a little more, but it still wasn't the best of attempts.

#4.

This was actually more of a back-step, I thought ... although I was finally getting the hang of using layers.

#5.

This is my group of friends and I ... I was, again, just experimenting with layers and blending. I hadn't really improved much by this point.

#6.

I thought that this one was, indeed, my masterpiece at that current time. I'd finally mastered how to use brushes correctly and, again, I was just experimenting with blending options and whatnot.

#7.
http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/8963/attempt7ffhiy3.jpg
This was a banner for FFH I created, which has actually ended up on my spam boards I started (hence the reason I've left it as a link; I hate stretched pages). I thought this was rather snazzy, myself.

#8.

#6 was quickly overtaken by this as my masterpiece at the time.

#9.

...and then #8 was replaced even more quickly with this (which was the first I labelled, as I know people tend to get their work stolen - not that anybody would steal my god-awful work).

#10.
http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/449/attempt12rinoawallpapertg0.jpg
This time, I went for a wallpaper - again, it's too big for this forum skin, so I'll leave it as a link. I currently have this as my desktop background and I can honestly say I think it looks GOOD.

#11.

Last creation for you all [: I thought this was actually pretty decent as well!

It's evident I'm still learning new things all of the time ... but I'd really appreciate some advice on what else I can do, and how to do it!

EDIT:
Here's my latest creation:

EDIT II:
Here's a few updates on things I've not posted yet.

This was a quick birthday invitation, which I made for the various people invited to my 16th. It's not entirely creative, but it was something to do.

This was a signature I made a fair while ago, actually, for the PC Strategy game, Starcraft. I was quite proud of this one.

This was the first time I'd tried to use real people with some kind of skill. This is my band and I [on the drums]. I was simply looking to try something as a kind of prototype album cover. The design in the background was hand-drawn by Nick, second from the left.

I do believe that this is my best work so far.

------------------------

So, after 7 months of being out of the loop with Photoshop, Mark helped me to re-acquire it and I've been improving again.

So, the render was provided in a competition for the Clans and this was the best I could come up with - it's supposed to be Jean Grey from the X-Men, in Manga form. Anime is disgusting to work with. =(

This was another challenge, SorceressEdea7 set this one for me. Again, I hate working with Anime. xD

So, I finally learned how to use C4D's and managed to come out with this, with the help of a tutorial. After a bit of criticism, I improved the clarity of the focal point and produced this:

This is my current sig and I think it's bloody good.

As always, all comments/criticism are welcome.

One final version of the above signature:

Much better.

 

[Hoidy]

You can clearly see as you go on the graphics get better.

The first one is quite...werid haha. I don't really like the colours of font you've used, its not kinda 'in' with the whole black and white thing you have going on.

The second one is better, by far. However you've got to loose the bevel/plastic wrap on Bellatrix and the text. The colour of the font is better too. It isn't as 'banggg in yo' face'.

3rd one is probably one of your best. I like the effects you've got going on Bellatrix, and even though the background could be better (colorwise), it seems to work anyway.

The next one is nice. I like it, keep things simple to begin with and you'll do alright. Would maybe sacrifice the glow around the text for a stroke, make it sharper and more clean.

The group of friends picture is cool, I like how you've got the background and the people differentiated. They stand out; but they also kinda blend aswell so thats a good thing. Maybe try using some overlays on the background would make it look more sinister.

6th sig is cool. The brushing is good for someone who is new to photoshop, and the cutout render of Bellatrix is nicely placed. I'll give you a tip though, something that took me ages to work out: If you duplicate the main picture of Bellatrix and then mess about with the layer styles (usually Multiply/Screen/Overlay) then you can get some really nice effects, you can also lower the ocopacity of one of the bottom duplicated layer making it blend into the background nicely.

I'm missing out 7 because it didn't load for me; mutha'fuggin' internet.

The 8th is pretty good though. By far better than the rest. I just think the text ruins the sig though. Typography is a bigbigbig part of graphics and if you get that right then you've won half the battle. The red/orange theme you have going on works well with the render and it blends into the background well. It is a major improvement on the rest. Just alter the text a wee bit if you still have the PSD. Always remember to try and make the text easily readable.

Number 9 isn't as good as 8 IMO. I don't really like the colour scheme, but it is clear to see you've progressed from number 1 to number 9. And thats all that matters; progression...and making kick ass sigs too.

The wallpaper is good. The text is improved muchos. Background looks cool too.

11 is the best. And its also a big improvement on all the others because you've started to include more than 1 render in the sigs. The yellow/blue colour scheme goes well with this sig. Add some nice font to it and your onto a winner.

Transformers sig...nice use of transparency. Font is looking better too.




....ANNDD BREATHE.

 

[Casanova]

Not bad, David.

I can see how you've improved as time has gone on, keep at it.

 

[Davey Gaga]

As I have recently acquired Photoshop again, I'm back to creating signatures and whatnot. For my comeback, I've created my current signature - so there's no need to post it up
Comments/advice and shizz.

 

[Bittariad]

I say look at some tutorials and learn some stuff to add to your work. They have got better more time you used it. If you have downloaded brushes i say use them give as Earsers, Like one click here and there. I prefer to use defaults. So it proberly better for you use to defaults.

If you have Photoshop CS and above you should try smudgeing.

 

[Lirael]

I'd gladly give you some private tuition if you wanted me to. =]

 

[Davey Gaga]

I'd gladly give you some private tuition if you wanted me to. =]

Ohhh, fight the temptation to make a dirty retort here xD
Sure, why not?

 

[Lirael]

Okay, I added you to messenger so that I can help you out.

 

[Davey Gaga]

After nearly a year of being MIA, I'm back with a few new creations. They're at the latter end of my first post.

 

[Daenerys]

I think you need to change your thread title

But anyway, it's clear to see how much you've improved, and you can only get better. That last sig was the best thing you've ever made, and it can only get better from there.

Keep up the good work ^^

 

[Gingerbread Lesbian]

I think you need to change your thread title

I've been asking for mine to be changed for weekssss! D:

Anyway, there is a definite improvement between your first lot of sigs and the ones you've made recently. Your latest one is easily your best so far imo and I can see what the image is now you've edited it.
Like Mark said, you can only get better!

Keep up the great work.

 

[Davey Gaga]

I actually editted a third time with a little help from Casanova. He managed to show the render exactly how I imagined it to look. I just lightened it slightly and dabbed the sharpen tool over it and it produced my current signature, which is better again.

I don't want to change the thread title; it's proof that I was the original Riku.