Hi this is my first BG.
It is still incomplete and lacks detail, but I have a problem I can't solve on my own. ???
It is supposed to be a house on a hilltop with a scenic view on the forest below. I am not satisfied with the forest though. It looks like a green mess and only gets worse the more I try.
Any help, comments? How do you like it?
(http://www.2dadventure.com/ags/1stbg_cob.png)
First of all, really nice(!) for a first background. Really good.
Anyway, I think the main problem is the lack of shape and difference in trees. I made a really bad and sloppy edit:
(http://piratetycoon.planet.ee/images/hilltop.PNG)
Hey there. I'm pretty new to doing this sort of background stuff too, but maybe a little shape defining would help? Put in more shadow, just make some decision as to which trees are visible and which are not I guess. Right now, it looks almost like a gaseous cloud the way so much yellow sort of hangs around on the top.
Not the greatest attempt in the world, but maybe you'll get an idea from this:
(http://www.novellice.com/art/AGS%20Projects/Paintovers/1stbg_cob_paintover.png)
(http://www.novellice.com/art/AGS%20Projects/Paintovers/1stbg_cob_paintover.png)
The thing that clashes are the "messy-sytle" of the forest and the rather clean style of the rest. I tried to fix it, but it's an unclean paintover, I guess.
2x
(http://www.gwebspace.de/hassu-irc/andere/cobra_help01.png)
cheers
nihilyst
The natural elements have a nice feel, it's the building that seems incomplete to me.
The wood stands out too far from the wall, and because of the colour it looks like chocolate. If this is supposed to be a log cabin, look at the way the corners have interlacing logs. If it's not a log cabin, then I feel the wooden boards should go vertically not horizontally. Similarly, there are no tiles or shingles on the roof, so it looks plain.
You could also try choosing a less-red wood colour and drawing wood grain. I don't think the diagonal shadow on the gable end makes sense either.
That said, it's a very pleasant and peaceful looking backdrop.
He mentioned the background being incomplete.
Ok thanks everyone. I tried to give the forest more shape and it looks good to me now.
I also interlaced the logs like Ali suggested (It took me a while to get it right, but it looks good now)
I will later change the wood colors and add more details. I probably will also change the roof completely, because as it is my house almost looks like a little church without a cross.
(http://www.2dadventure.com/ags/1stbg_cob_v2.png)
Actually logs are usually laid so that the corners look more like this:
(http://bantza.raah.fi/junk/1stbg_cob_v2_edit.png)
You are right. It makes more sense now. Thanks for pointing it out.