Fanart WIPs Thoughts & Opinions

[xaphania]

I've been struggling with a banner for most of the afternoon, nothing I do on it looks right to me. So I thought perhaps a thread where we could post artwork works in progress, and get thoughts and opinions from other members might be a good idea.

Okay, to start the thread off, here's the banner I'm having trouble with.



I don't think it looks bad or anything at the moment, but it feels like something is missing and I can't put my finger on it. I think maybe the left hand side is a little flat? Any opinions on the colouring - I think it might be a bit too dark?

However, it's better than my first few attempts at this same banner, as you can see here and here *cringes*

Any comments/help would be appreciated

And this thread is for everyone, so if you have any part-made banners you want help on, post them here.

[deathisyourgift]

Were you thinking of putting any text on this? If not, perhaps try a new layer with just a little of the color from the original image of Spike and Dawn on the couch, to bring it together with the two photoshoot images of them. I think that the b&w vs. color is really keeping them separate, so some color would be a nifty way to try to bring them together. I dunno, maybe try it out and see how it works? If not, text always helps to cover up some bland areas lol.
-Jen

[xaphania]

Yeah, the text will go in the bottom left corner, it's just something I usually leave til the very last. I can see what you mean about the coloured parts being very apart from the background, I'll have to try to bring it all together.

[nmcil]

I also have the feeling of too much separation of images - the idea of duplicating some of the same color or similar tone for bed image would give you more balance - Use of a red variation (Dawn's lips) for your text would also give more focus and balance. One thing that does bother my visual sense is the difference in eye focus between Dawn & Spike, you might try using an image of spike that matches dawn's - I think it would give much more impact with both figures looking at the viewer.