[pixualize]

Just finished this for a game book cover and I wanted some opinions before I send it off.





The assignment called for some kind of cloud comprised of horrific apparitions decending on the castle.

Ideas?

[ June 22, 2001: Message edited by: pixualize ]

[Collosimo]

Pretty cool. The first image lacks a bit of depth though. The horrific cloud doesnt seem to have any tonal or colour depth. It relies too heavily on the perspective and scale to achieve its depth. You need to give it some tonal depth.

I would also work on the form of the castle a bit more. At the moment it seems to consisit of mostly dark greys. It has some form but not enough. Add some darker greys, even black on the darkest shadows.

The lava could do with a bit of work too. Maybe add some reds. It need a bit of texture in it. some tiny details.

[pixualize]

Cool. That's the kinda stuff I'm looking for.

I realized the horror cloud thing seemed kinda flat but I guess i can noodle with color values to simulate depth.

More contrast and lava details coming up!

Thanks.

[Dr.Squirley]

i think the cloud should have have some orange reflected on it

[ceenda]

Nice pictures. I agree that the one without the smoke looks a bit better. I think the main thing that would be good to try and practise is getting a bit more depth into the picture. You can do this with things like fogging cues (i.e. the buildings fade as they go further back, and the island as well). Otherwise, nice work.

Oh, reminds me of a pic I put up here a while back...
http://pages.eidosnet.co.uk/~n.anderson/island.jpg

[edit - oops, changed img to a link... it's annoying enough when people do it my threads without me doing in other peoples.]

[ June 23, 2001: Message edited by: ceenda ]

[ June 23, 2001: Message edited by: ceenda ]

[Pat]

The central image of the floating castle is clearly the bright note in your composition. The "horror cloud" obscures far too much of the primary area of visual interest, making the second version difficult to read.

If your stuck on the cloud in that position, you're going to have to really "pump it up" I'd go with Dr.Squirley's suggestion and start by bringing out a lot more of the highlights on the apparations. I'd change it though.

Here's why:

Your composition w/o the "horror cloud" is a pleasing pyramidal shape. _With_ the cloud it has a bad left to right movement, which serves to divide your painting directly in half, splitting the two color spaces (blue sky and the lite blue/yellowish lava) creating an undesirable composition.

You might consider having the horde descending from directly above the city in a V shape --which would give you some excellent highlight opportunities and still retain a clear composition and read. You'd also still be able to integrate foreground apparations too, if you're worried about getting some details of them in too. Just a thought...

-Pat

[pixualize]

Actually these suggestions have all been very useful!

The difficulty comes from the horror cloud itself. This is and integral part of the book that they wanted to portray on the cover and were specific that it needed to be dark and dense. My initial idea was to have it sort of "see-through" since they were supposed to be spirits and I will probably go back and make it more so. That's why there isn't any reflected "lava light" on it.

The composition is tough too. I initially had the cloud coming in from the right but that seemed as unbalanced as this version. I like the idea of it coming from the top but will likely do some kind of "s" shape as it approaches the castle as opposed to something like a Star Destroyer wedge thing. Very helpful ideas. Thanks.

[smalls]

i think that the second one is really cool.. but yes.. more castle deffinition.... but hte lava is fine... i think...mmm... wait.. if this is profesional..maybe you SHOULD add just a bit more def. to the lava.. but...yeah.. the cloud would cool in it if it wasnt soooooo overbearing.. cause its more than half of the pic.. well its not.. but if feels that way..k? yeah.. well.. good luck