Here it is and old place: :D
Topic: The Ruins
Colours: unlimited
Res: 320x200 or 320x240
Voting will take place on the 3th and 4th of March. Please give one vote in each of the following categories:
* Best Idea - Where will the ruins be !? A jungle ? An alien planet ? Desert ? Purple planet :).
* Best Design - The style of the picture, architectural, landscape design, best mood, complex stones...
* Best Functionality - How well it would work when adding sprites, including appropriate walking distances, good angle for character sprites, clever walkway solutions, easily understood exits etc.
* Best Technique - How good does it feel to the eye, lightning effects...
example:
(http://www.fosterparrots.com/Ruins%20800.jpg)
i'm in,... Expect my entry in about a week or two...
This theme totally coincides with my current project, so I'll give it a go once again. Perhaps this time I won't be distracted by another inspiration :D.
Sweet, this might give me an excuse to use the new graphics tablet. :)
that's unfair .. you got a tablet :)
Don't worry, i'll post my entry here if i enter.
OK I guess I am first took me about 2nhalf hours... dognabit Sleep deprevation is harse!
(http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/671/ruins39hb.png) (http://imageshack.us)
I only recently started these background thingies so well lets see, hey you can check out my other one at the critics lounge!
(http://img386.imageshack.us/img386/3378/cavern4ay.png) (http://imageshack.us)
well i redid it a little..
Heres my reference:
(http://img157.imageshack.us/img157/9246/85nh.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)
my turn.
(http://www.trepidation-band.co.uk/ruins3.png)
2x
(http://www.trepidation-band.co.uk/ruins3.png)
Hmm... interesting topic, maybe I`ll draw something for practise, as well without tablet (damn, I really need it).
This one is a lot better, Afflict. Kinda messy, but better. ;)
:D Thanks
I am deffinitely getting there... Cant wait to see some more up here.
A quick one... So it's tryen' to be an abandoned house. But it didn't turn out exactly as I planned... :P
(http://img384.imageshack.us/img384/5591/varemed28ma.png)
looks like it got hit by a twister but it looks nice :)
Looks more like being hit by a meteor. Remmember Maniac Mansion? ;D
Okay, I just got bored and never finished it but I thought I would post it anyway:
(http://img159.imageshack.us/img159/3665/background5wf.jpg)
Maybe I'll get round to finishing it at some point but those bricks are so tiresome ::)
(http://koti.mbnet.fi/el_tonic/impending%20doom.jpg)
"As we are speaking, a giant homicidal lego man with my lunch is on the loose. So I was thinking if I could have dibbs on that sandwich."
Used a random image of Venice as ref.
it looks like a picture, how come??
because i referenced a picture, sampling colors and scaled it.
(http://www.2dadventure.com/ags/impendingdoomgif2.gif)
Normally i wouldnt do this, but i dont think it's fair that people spend a lot of time on entries and you try to suggest this is 'referenced'. Referencing means you look at an image for colour values and composition etc, not a direct paintover of a photograph.
Thanks for the correction.
I think the only real way of becoming brilliant at background art is to study photos scenes or anything for that matter. Using a reference is way better well untill you get so good you dont need it. (Used mostly for colors anyway)
I am completely new at this and well I want to achieve the highest quality background that I can posibly get.
Quote from: DanClarke on Fri 24/02/2006 13:10:43
(http://www.2dadventure.com/ags/impendingdoomgif2.gif)
Normally i wouldnt do this, but i dont think it's fair that people spend a lot of time on entries and you try to suggest this is 'referenced'. Referencing means you look at an image for colour values and composition etc, not a direct paintover of a photograph.
I agree, so BIOTLEBOPs entry doesn't count !! Until he draws completly new picture (not a PAINTOVER!)
sorry. >:(
But after all, it still could be used as a background in a game. I mean, just look at Donna or Force Majeure II, the both use photo based backgrounds. Also, having a photo based background doesn't immediately mean it's good and many people seem to appreciate hand drawn backgrounds more anyways.
But I guess it's up to starter of the compo (ie. YOU, Sektor) to decide is it valid or not.
Quote from: Petteri on Fri 24/02/2006 16:03:17
But after all, it still could be used as a background in a game. I mean, just look at Donna or Force Majeure II, the both use photo based backgrounds. Also, having a photo based background doesn't immediately mean it's good and many people seem to appreciate hand drawn backgrounds more anyways.
But I guess it's up to starter of the compo (ie. YOU, Sektor) to decide is it valid or not.
I don't mind picture backgrounds, but this is kinda drawing competition, i think it should show what can you do with your eye-and-hand coordination to draw nice picture, i don't mind if you look at picture, but try to draw it by your own hand.
Althou BIOTLEBOPs picture is very nice, but it seems like ordinary paintover, with few extras added.
I am sorry if i didn't make rules more understanding, but i think the main goal is to draw with you own hand, show your own talent. Allthou it could be possible that BIOTLEBOP only look at the picture and draw it separatley, this would mean that he has talents beyond any ordinary.
Edit:
Ok here what will we do.
BIOTLEBOP if you say/confirm that you didn't do paint over (like draw over layer, or copied some of the picture parts and copy them to your pcture, or change original picture...) and you just watched this picture in separate window, i will belive you and your picture will be valid for competition. If not, it will be disqualified, but you can draw another one by your own hand.
So please tell.
Yeah it is a paintover in parts, tried to sample as few colors as possible. I think that even if I had used a month, placing the original beside a empty canvas, and copied it realisitcally without painting over, people would have no way of telling what I'd have done, and the outcome would be the same. So, you can disqualify that one, and if I make a new one, it will probably be something that isn't traceable (least from a photo, with the amount of pictures that float the web, you can probably manipulate any kind of image from a collage of pictures and not use your imagination in the traditional sense).
Basically posted it cause thought the idea was funny.
Quote from: biothlebop on Fri 24/02/2006 17:49:13
Yeah it is a paintover in parts, tried to sample as few colors as possible. I think that even if I had used a month, placing the original beside a empty canvas, and copied it realisitcally without painting over, people would have no way of telling what I'd have done, and the outcome would be the same. So, you can disqualify that one, and if I make a new one, it will probably be something that isn't traceable (least from a photo, with the amount of pictures that float the web, you can probably manipulate any kind of image from a collage of pictures and not use your imagination in the traditional sense).
Basically posted it cause thought the idea was funny.
This could be true, but still i think you would look differently to your work if you would try just to watch the real picture and try to draw it accordingly. Still it is pretty hard to draw a realistic picture even if you take a whole month (which you can't as the BG blitz only lasts a good week :) ).
So i am sorry but i must disqualifiy you first picture. :-[
But it would be nice if you try to draw this picture without "paintovering" the original, I think we would all like to see a result. It just might happen that you win.
just make a new l33t image and be proud of yourself ;)
Quote from: Afflict on Fri 24/02/2006 15:49:04
Using a reference is way better well untill you get so good you dont need it. (Used mostly for colors anyway)
I am completely new at this and well I want to achieve the highest quality background that I can posibly get.
The problem is that if you rely on photos, you won't probably reach the point where you won't need them.
Realistic rendering is in a way pure math, which is why 3D software is able to do it. The nice thing is that the important laws aren't tricky. Extracting them from photos without prior knowledge is though.
To achieve real creative freedom within realism/semi-realism, you have to learn to operate like a 3D renderer.
Photos then become a nice additional source for ideas, designs, palettes etc, and not a neccessery foundation, without which any attempt will crumble.
Relying on references is very tempting for beginners, since you get relatively impressive results quickly. Your understanding remains unimproved though, so your progress is illusory in that sense.
I'm not saying that this is the wrong route to take. I can see how this would be satisfying enough for some, but if you find the prospect of being able to create whatever scene that falls into your mind worth the many years of practise it takes, then put the photos aside.
Sorry about the off topic post, but I'm unable to watch reference encouragements of this sort pass by unconfronted.
i was so excited when i saw loominous posting in the background blitz, but alas, no entry. :'(
Yeah, I'm not bitchin' or anything if that's what you think. I don't think I will do that same idea again though, I'm too erratic to make revisions of past things and keep the core or the original, it would turn out completely different in the end.
As for winning, I don't really care much for that, mostly want to see the topic pushed to the limit of what it could be (see people get really creative), winning means there is little point in participating next month after all (although you may set ypur own perverted topic).
I thought of other things, like the ruins of Dachau with the infamous Arbeit macht frei gate and a really blue sky, green grass and other happy stuff to contrast the picture (and bring the whole time evens shit out aspect and it ain't much but rubble and a memorial anymore), but that topic would require severe referencing, or knowledge of how the places look like (feel free to do that pic), and even if I drew a childish version if it, people could think that I traced the outlines/perspective from some pic and colored it with crayon (I don't really like the comic/distorted perpective because I think that my realistic stuff has a lot to improve (studies, anatomy drawings, etc. are boring as hell) and thus don't see such a picture as an option). So, I'll post some background, but it will probably be completely out of my head and not make much sense, like the crab people one.
If you read all of this, I must be an excellent writer.
Well, the "crab people" bridge was very nice, i think you can work on that style, should be interesting.
Well, these days you can't be tottaly sure that some pictures are hand made or just copied and retouched. I guess we will just have to take each others words.
Now I expect a lot of new backgrounds, we already have few potential winners, but some extra material won't do any harm. :)
(http://koti.mbnet.fi/el_tonic/new/fucking%20vandals.png)
After walking miles underground after your friend Steve, you have had enough.
You: Where the hell are we?
Steve: We are in Rome, buddy.
You: We most certainly are not!
Steve: Oh, really? Well, have you ever been to Rome?
Truth is, you have not been much farther away from home than the white house in Zork. Gaping with your mouth open, about to say something intelligent such as "Oh yeah?!", Steve interrupts you.
Steve: Thought so. I have, on the other hand, and I say this place is about a mile from a quaint little cafe, where you can rest your feet.
Steve had been right about that 15-foot alligator earlier as well, so you deicide to keep your mouth shut.
Steve: Just look at this place. There's graffiti everywhere. Fucking vandals.
It looks like viking inscriptures to you, but you also thought the scribblings on the bus stop outside your house was secret CIA code until you turned twelve.
>
I totally don't get your newest image biothlebop, but the tecnique on it is great!
I used some shortcuts though.
http://koti.mbnet.fi/el_tonic/new/zxczxczxc.jpg
(all hand drawn to this point)
First I applied a cutout filter to a large high-color version to simplify the shapes, as it was really sketchy at the point and it didnt make much sense. Then I drew with full opacity the whole time until the design was the following.
http://koti.mbnet.fi/el_tonic/new/vandals.jpg
I rescaled it first once in the large version (looks better when it's flatter), then again into the 320 x 240 format. Then it was indexed to a (macintosh?) palette without dithering. It might not make much sense or be very ruins-ish, but it was qute fun to make.
I like it :D
Its like a kind of labyrinth.
The ruins of an old church
(http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/9465/bbruins7ha.png)
o/
My entry:
(http://img420.imageshack.us/img420/457/ruins0co.gif)
It's the ruins on an island. It was inspired by FoA. Even if it's not as good.
ok, i think it is time for VOTING !
---------------------------------------
Whew, I made it before the deadline.
Well, i guess the deadline should be at the end of 2.3. , as i think that people would already show their work if they wanted :), so the VOTING is OPEN.. :=
Best Idea: zooty I like the mountain top idea, I just like it
Best Design: biothlebop Good design and interesting place.
Best Functionality: SBsLovenia , The bg i most could see used in a game since it has clear walking areas and exits
Best Technique: Esecratus
I would have given Afflict votes but i couldn't find the ruins?
(http://img381.imageshack.us/img381/2481/image26ju.png) (http://imageshack.us)
;D
best idea: SBsLoVeNiA
Best Design: I liked the castle of bush_monkey but its no finished =/
Best Functionality: SBsLoVeNiA
Best Technique: biothlebop
o/
Best idea: Bushmonkey (the way the sand dunes are creeping in on it slowly)
Best design: Exsecratus (detailed, looks like a church)
Best functionality: Zooty (should be no problem placing a character there, don't think it even needs scaling)
Best technique : Afflict (pleasant colours, the rocks in the stream are too uniform though)
So wait, we can vote too just not for our pics?
Okay, here goes:
Best Idea: Zooty
Best Design: biothlebop
Best Funcionality: bush_monkey but unfinished...
BestTechnique: biothlebop
Best idea: bush_monkey
Best design: biothlebop
Best functionality: gameboy
Best technique: bush_monkey
Best Idea - This goes to gameboy. A simple, but still unique entry in this competition. It's not the most functional background, but idea-wise, it was good.
Best Design - The winner here is biothlebop. Design-wise, it's very innovative. Looks great, although I doubt it would work too well in an actual adventure game.
Best Functionality - The prize goes to SBsLoVeNiA. This was pretty much the only one out of all entries, that I could see fit to really function in a traditional way. Enough said.
Best Technique - Congrats to bush_monkey. Whereas it's definately not even nearly finished, the technique used in it is very promising. I'd really love to see it finished. Biothlebop was close here.
I'm not bitter that you didnt vote for me, but, is it your place to be declaring winners?
He probably meant who the winner is in his opinion.
In my opinion, everyone is a winner.
Not the ones who do drugs, according to arcade games.
Quote from: Zooty on Sat 04/03/2006 16:26:29
I'm not bitter that you didnt vote for me, but, is it your place to be declaring winners?
Yeah, I've been using the same formatting and lines of voting in every blitz I've voted in :D. They're just winners and prize-receivers in my opinion :). The font formatting is for emphasis and the short liners with 'sentence + person I vote for' are just liners. I've often wondered if it might be a bit confusing to some people. The problem is that I can't think of too many liners to use. Maybe I should just skip the liners next time :).
And I do apologize for not voting for you :). Maybe next time.
EDIT: Notice the abnormally high number of smilies indicating my embarrassment.
Ok, i counted the votes !
Winner for each category:
Best Idea: Zooty & Bush_monkey
Best Design: Biothlebop
Best Functionality: SBsLoVeNiA ( Sloveeeeenija od kod lepote tvoje :) ).
Best Technique: Bush_monkey & Biothlebop
Overall winner is: 8) !! Biothlebop !! 8)
Hee, I told you, you might win !
**Althou the Bush_monkey has the same ammount of votes as the winner, but he didn't finish the background completly, so you take a 2nd place.
Congratulations to all !
Now, lets start a new one. :P
Quote from: Sektor 13 on Sun 05/03/2006 09:56:11
Best Functionality:Ã, SBsLoVeNiA ( Sloveeeeenija od kod lepote tvoje :) ).
Yeah, baby, yea! Do it! <Sektor 13 starts shaking it in a hip-hop kinda style>...<SB joines in.>Ã, ;D
NOTE: The above qoute from Sektor 13: The song he started singing is NOT hip-hop!
Anyway,...congrats biothlebop for winning, at least I got 'best functionality' even if I didn't win overall.
I'd like to thank all my fans, mom, dad, my coach and everyone with 9-5 jobs. A standing ovation goes to Bush-monkey's pic, for the concept.
As for my entry, it was more of a stream-of-consciousness picture, and it would indeed be a lot of work to place characters in, unless it was used as a first-person background. Feel free to use it though.
New topic coming up.