help me ROCK this promo!

[FruitTree]

I'm really in a tight spot here!
this is a promo for my (very pretentious!) band
and since my skills don't reach any further then MSpaint (you're welcome  ) it looks pretty shitty!
though the idea is kinda neat!

there's "GARDEN" wich is our band name then some red arrows pointing to the band members, but paint just can't make it look awesome, the effect I was going for was 'painted on' arrows like it was real paint brushed on in quick big strokes, any of you fine fellows care to help me out on my predicament?

any other add-ons to increase awesomeness are ofcourse welcome!

reward:
many, many licks!

okay so here's the thing I had in mind:


and here's the original without paint uglyness:


go on! give it a try!
thanks ahead!

[Shane 'ProgZmax' Stevens]

Could you make sure your image details are correct?  I can't see anything. 


Edit:  After checking your post I can manually go to these urls

http://www.custardsclutter.com/ft/upload/promo1.PNG

http://www.custardsclutter.com/ft/upload/promo.PNG

but they don't show up for me with img tags.  Odd.


Also, we're certainly here to help you improve, but the CL is not about having someone else do something for you.  A good start would be to lose the image blur (it just looks unprofessional to me) and work on a readable but visually interesting font.  What kind of a promo is it?  Something you're going to put on flyers?  I think the advice will differ depending on what this is for.

[FruitTree]

ah no need for this post but to reply your critique,

the motion blur isn't an effect or something it's there 'cause we were rocking, no stopping that, plus I like the blur it adds depthto the whole if the images were Cristal clear we'd get mixed up with a boring wedding band or something

also like I said I can only work MSpaint and it will only take you so far... I'm not lazy, and I'm certainly not trying to get others to just make me brilliant artwork, believe me I tried to make this image work time and time again, but like I said paint will only take you so far... what do you do? you turn for help and guidance.

as for the font, yeah it does look kinda like it's in serious need of inspiration, I'll work on that.

it's a promo for a mailing list btw.

thanks for the comments!

[ildu]

My suggestion: Do it by hand.

Print the images, cut em up, cut random newspaper clippings, create a collage out of the images/clippings, then draw GARDEN as well as the red arrows in crayon over the collage. Finally, scan it in (and possibly photocopy it before adding in the red arrows). The whole point is to determine what kind of approach your trying to go by. If it supposed to look like a vintage self-made poster, do what I said. If not, get a better approach.

[Ubel]

Ildu's idea has my complete support. If your digital art skills aren't so great, do it by hand. Handmade coverart/promoart can look really good.

[Matti]

What about something like that:

(I don't like the idea of having arrows pointing at the band members, but whatever..)



or that:



I just played around a bit, don't know if you like it..