Image

[freecat15]

My participation in the LIMS BTVS challenge lasted exactly one round. I hadn't expected more, and it was still fun. What I loved about it though is the concrit I got there. It's the only challenge I saw so far where voters are requested to not only vote, but also explain the reason why they voted an icon out. And of course everyone tries their best not to hurt people, so they really gave some good advice.

I took some of it and worked the participating icon over once more. They said it was too dark, which was true, the writing was too big (I had it a lot smaller, but enhanced the size in fear of it being unreadable, and I'd noticed it was a little too big in the end, but it was already way too late that night to change it again, so I let it. A mistake I won't make again...) and too dark (which I don't agree on, so I didn't change that). They were also right that the cutting away from the background was to harsh. This was something that really caught my eye in direct comparison to the other posted icons, but you don't see them before voting, so I didn't have the comparison, and I just still lack experience. (Then again, my untrained eyes maybe wouldn't have seen it even in comparison...)

I thought I show you the difference it made:

vs. 

It's really minor things I did, but the difference is still huge. I don't know if this would have kept me from being voted out, but I like it more.

So, why am I telling you all that?
I loved the concrit. I am so new to this that every advice what to do better gets me, well, better. Also, I was a little frustrated about the result (because of course I had hoped to last at least one round. Even if I knew I wouldn't, hope dies last after all, and participating without it makes no sense at all! And thank you again, red_satin_doll, for your encouraging words, they helped a lot!) and played around a bit more, and I wanted to present you the result. And (that's why I told you the whole thing) I'm not averse to getting critic on it (as long as it's constructive).

Here goes:












So, what do you think?

Comments

[double_dutchess]

Wow, you really put those comments to good use -- that is definitely a huge difference! It makes me all the more sad that you were eliminated, because it would have been such a great learning opportunity if you could have participated more and get more concrit.

Actually this makes me think that a better system would be to not have any eliminations, but just have everybody participate and collect positive or negative points each round, and then count them all at the end to determine the winner. That way you could really improve yourself and make up for a bad start later. Then of course it wouldn't be "lims" anymore, but I think I'd like that way of doing it better.

About the new image, what I really like is how you combined the two images, that's actually brilliant. It might seem obvious, but I haven't seen it done this way before. The colours are pretty and romantic. I also think the text is good, except there seems to be a spelling mistake.

Suggestions for improvement: the font you used is pretty but not that easy to read. It's also a bit baroque, so maybe too much of a good thing to use for the whole text. Something I've had to learn myself is that often, it looks better if you combine a few different fonts and text sizes (but watch out not to overdo it). Spike's face is a lot darker than Buffy's, maybe you could lighten it up a bit to give them equal focus. Also there's still some dark borders around Spike's face, especially at his throat. This is a problem I have a lot myself, and I always find it hard to fix without removing too much, so I'm not sure I can give you good advice on how to avoid or remedy it.

Those are the main things I can think of right now!

[chasingdemons.livejournal.com]

Creating images is addictive, isn't it? What program are you using? I find it really difficult to even see icons, much less work at that size. But the people who make icons, sure have a lot of fun. The image above looks really great. And… double_duchess made some really excellent points as far as what works and what could be tweaked.

When you start combining images from two different pictures it can be HARD. Really hard. Especially matching skin tones. I have been working at it for many years, and I'm still learning. If you really like doing this, just stay with it.

No title

[livejournal.livejournal.com]

User rahirah referenced to your post from No title (http://su-herald.livejournal.com/874520.html) saying: [...] [Images, Audio & Video] Artwork:Buffy Icons & Banner [...]

[braxen.livejournal.com]

I haven't kept up with you're doing - sorry for that, but I reacted now when you uploaded a whole bunch of userpics, that I presume that you made yourself? Really pretty! And now I've read this post and the feedback and discussion in the comments and it seems to me that you have found a great new hobby that you are really good at! Being creative is a real pleasure, the best pastime; both invigorating and soul-soothing.