C&C on a "band" cover/logo/thingy

[Paper Carnival]

Hey all,

Lately I've been working on an experimental music project and I figured I could create some concept artwork for it. Well, here is what I came up with:



It seems to be lacking something in the background, solid black just doesn't work right. Also, I'm not so sure about the shading on the hand.

Any suggestions?

[Tuomas]

Seriously though, I think it would not benefit from a background at all. In fact, filling it up might make it look awful. That happens a lot when people want to put as much as possible into the picture, while it's still supposed to be art. Is the hand the theme, and what does it have to do with the name? Or would it be the name of the record that is in question?

[Paper Carnival]

Since you asked... The lyrics of this project are based on my dark-ish fantasy story called Synarchia. The purple vines you see around the hand belong to the Provider (in German, Versorger), who is supposed to be a giant tree-like creature.

It is not a serious project yet, so there are no records or releases planned. I'm just writing silly midi music (progressive doom/power metal) for experience, but I know that someday I will release something.

Anyway, I don't want to add a background that will distract away from the hand, but I was thinking about a cool frame thing, something that would complement it.

[voh]

The image is good, fine, I'd leave it as it is. It's intrigueing.

What is quite jarring, however, is the outline you used on the letters. To make the text fit the image, you need to desaturate it like mad. Also, make it less straight - work with a motion blur.

I think what I mean is best summed up as "make the outline more subtle"

[InCreator]

My attempt at this image... I doubt you like it though.

* About hand shading: tuned contrast up a bit to hide shading a bit, also, making hand more important
* Tuned heavily down on white hand glow and added purple one instead made by root thingies
* Lost most of the background in process...  not intended though.
* changed color of the roots a bit.

If you like any of these changes, I'm sure you can replicate them better.

Generally, I quite like this cover. I think it could work very well. As said, the title needs more work than hand motif, it's quite boring right now. How about blood/paint drips and something like this? Even this white outline thing could drip white paint...? Also, if it's something metallic... the band I mean, the roots could aswell grow OUT of the hand, not only behind it.

[Paper Carnival]

I didn't think it was bad at all, but I thought it was more bright than I wanted it to be. So, I tried doing something similar:



I don't really like it though

[Nightfable]

- I tried defining the inside of the hand a bit more with lines.
- Added some highlights and smoothed out the color of the hand a bit.
- I think the text looks more interesting if you play around with the shadows and lights, it also blends better with the rest of the image.
- I hope this helps.

[GarageGothic]

I know it's not much of an advice, but the font does make it look a bit like a Neverwinter Nights expansion pack. Otherwise it's looking good - perhaps the artwork could take up a bit more room. I like InCreator's higher contrast version although it loses some of the detail.

[OuchMyTentacle79]

Maybe change the earthworms to maggots and draw the hand holding a human "rotten" heart,.In the background maybe some smoke with skull faces in it or demonic souls reaching towards it.

I dunno,that sounds like alot of work.what I see is cool regardless bro,but it is "lacking" background.hmmm... maybe a vortex of some sort behind it?

just a few ideas to throw at ya.

but anyways,keep up the good work...it's coming along great man.

[suncrafter]

I'd like to see you add a detailed alien cityscape to the background.

[Paper Carnival]

the font does make it look a bit like a Neverwinter Nights expansion pack

Well, it IS the Neverwinter Nights font, but I don't know if it's the original font or an imitation. The font I used is freeware, though, so I didn't think it mattered.

maybe a vortex of some sort behind it?

Yeah, that's a good idea, I'll give it a shot.

I really enjoyed Nightfable's edit, but I did not want to shamelessly use it like that. So, I tried to reproduce it with no real success.

I won't work on this again any time soon, maybe I'll redo it from scratch in a higher resolution when (and if) the music becomes more serious.

Thanks for your help!

[Nightfable]

I really enjoyed Nightfable's edit, but I did not want to shamelessly use it like that. So, I tried to reproduce it with no real success.

I don't mind you using my edit at all, please be my guest! I could refine it some more if I have the time.