Quick style for backgrounds

[Saberteeth]

Detail makes it look good to the eye. Are you using DPII for this? Back on topic: Maybe try to change the black outlines. Oh and one more thing hit me: the light sources! Eg, the lamp and the windows. don't they emitate a light source, which means you'll need to paint the areas aroung them in a yellowish/orangeish tone. I suggest dithering bbut you can do what you wish.

[Oz]

When I saw a (non-music) post in the CL from you I got super excited!  I still remember that last one you did with the orange sunset overlooking the city ... fantastic work then and fantastic work now.  I love your pixel style!

The only thing that stood out (that bugged me) was the mountains in the background ... I think they just don't look right somehow.  Maybe they're too bright ... I'm not sure.  They don't convey distance to me.

(The second picture has some lighting effect across the front of the building (on the right) which I'm not sure if it was intentional, but it doesn't look bad)

Other than that just great stuff!!  Keep up the great work!

Thanks Darth!

Yes, I was going to mention the mountains. They do look very flat, like a piece of cardboard scenery, haha - I'm aware of this. I will try to give them more depth by using more contrasting shades.

And about the lighting effect... yes, I used the "brighten" mode in Pro Motion to simulate moon light, but it didn't turn out very well. I simply forgot to edit it out.

[CaptainBinky]

I really wouldn't worry about what you've got there. It's nice, crisp, and clean and it reads nicely on the eye. Yeah, okay the perspective isn't very perspectivey but that's the style. It doesn't jar. I'd say, if you can churn out these images pretty quickly and maintain the quality you've done there, then you're on to a winner!

I'm not sure I'd even bother losing the black outlines.

Cheers,

CaptainBinky

[Andail]

Great job, very stylistic. The perspective is indeed stiff and flat, but if you keep drawing the backgrounds consistently they will work very nicely.

The mountains in the background look flat because of their distinct outlining. Remove the outlining and make them blend in more with the sky.

[Sheepisher]

Hey Oz,

Some very nice work!  Really, I can only agree with what everyone else has said - the "flat-on" perspective gives you a very unique graphic style, and you execute it with such finesse that the lack of ordinary perspective really doesn't matter, it looks fab.

I would agree with Darth Mandarb that it wouldn't hurt to make the backdrop levels a bit fainter, just to create some depth, and that some colour variation (perhaps when you do an inside scene?) would be welcome.

Other than that - excellent work, and I look forward to seeing the finished product!  It's an excellent idea to hit upon a style that you can maintain easily and quickly.