BG Improves

[Theme]

I want to make it look like MI3
but I don't know how
please help :~

[Paper Carnival]

Why make it like MI3? Your background is great, the atmosphere is unique. I don't like the tree (it looks like it was pasted from a different picture) and the picture looks kinda empty... Also, the outlines aren't great either.

The outlines are probably the weakness of your picture, if you make them less  jaggied it would work out. I don't know how to explain it, but maybe someone else could do it better

[ildu]

So you wanna make it MI3 style? Well, your image now doesn't apply to that style in basically anyway. What you have to do is:

1) Sketch the image yourself and scan it.
2) Color the different areas.
3) Add lighting by drawing in a graphics program (using preferably a tablet).
4) Use the sketched line art as an overlapping multiply layer with reduced transparency.

That's the technical part. As for what goes into the actual style of MI3, that's a whole other story. Basically you need to:

1) Draw everything by free hand.
2) Use vanishing points, but follow them very loosely and exaggerate the effect.
3) Exaggerate all the shapes, lines and objects in the image (which gives it the most MI3 look if you do it right).
4) In your image use very distinct depth-enducing elements. Have a bunch of things at different depth levels (I'm pretty sure all of MI3's backgrounds had foreground objects to give more depth, except for the ones in which it was totally out of place).
5) Make the most important objects in the scene the most interesting to look at.
6) Draw in comical elements.
7) Imitate Bill Tiller's work at http://www.billtiller.com/projects/monkey_island.asp.

[Theme]

thanks for the tips
it seems the style doesn't match
them maybe i just let things as they are

o/

[TheYak]

Agree with most of ildu's points.  However hold Guybrush's view: It's kickass as-is, why emulate a style when you've got a very nice one yourself.  More detail would do wonders and it's definitely going in the right direction.  The only thing I don't care for is the bush - it's a little too sharp and detailed.  Depending upon whether you're adding a lot of detail or keeping the same "clean" look, it could either be left as-is or simplified greatly (i.e. basic shading similar to the clouds', but less wispy).

[Scummbuddy]

(Pimping in session)

You can read
"How to Draw Monkeys the Lucas Arts Way: An Analysis of the Funny pictures in the Curse of Monkey Island " by going to my site, and also find more fun tutorials. 

LucasStyle

[loominous]

Quick modifications (I'm aware that the lines are wavy in an odd way, a by product of the tool I used to alter the shapes (the 'liquify' tool, for you photoshoppers):



CMI usually featured sunny weather, which I think along with the forms of the objects differs most from your background.

First off, the sky is really dark. Normally, the sky would be among the brightest parts of a daytime enviroment, save for white buildings etc. CMI had a different sky hue as well, pretty much pure cyan which adds to a tropical look. Sunny weather also makes the contrast high, whereas you can hardly tell the difference in value between the sides facing the sunlight and those in shadow in your background.

The outlines are as mentioned too straight and thick to mimick the style and the shapes need heavy distortion.

Another thing is the colors which I altered by making the surfaces facing the sun yellowish and the ones in shadow purpleish.

I also think that you need to crop it unless showing that big part of the street is of great importance.

In any case you got the perspective down and the shading is logical, apart from the lack of contrasting values, so the step to a CMI like style shouldn't be big at all.

[Corey]

why did you gave the picture a weird effect?? it looks odd 

[Nacho]

I like the change of colours... Not the other effects, sorry...

If you want to go on with that style I think you should start it from scratch.

[loominous]

why did you gave the picture a weird effect?? it looks odd

I assume that you're referring to the bulging shapes which is there because CMI, which he wanted to mimick features them, though perhaps not as exhaggerated,Ã,  as opposed to the right angles in the original background.

Example from CMI:

[Chicky]

The modified shape looks ace.

[Wretched]

So how does that inset window (CMI) cast a shadow across the wall ? 

[mysterybowler]

I agree with Chicky, The modified version looks really good. It definitely captures the feel of CMI. Nice Job Loominous Ã, 8). Exsecratus, if it's the MI3 style you really want to achieve then this is a good example. I think you should exagerate the bush/tree further to fit in with the rest of the scene. Have fun.

[Theme]

thanks for the tips and tutorials everyone

In any case you got the perspective down and the shading is logical, apart from the lack of contrasting values, so the step to a CMI like style shouldn't be big at all.

I made it using SketchUp (3d software)
so I can't draw, do perspective or shade (OMFG)
I suck... 

nice bg btw loominous

o/

[magintz]

In my opinion it all loos too "realistic" to be monkey sialnd like. To me CMI was very much a cartoon, everythng was distorted and everything was over the top. The clouds were massive and curley rather than light and puffey.

In your background I think you need some brighter colours, the new one is looking much better. Best thing is to look at CMI screenshots like loominous posted and disect it, break it apart into small details - e.g oversized clouds, rounded edges.... and try to find a common set of rules and conventions to follow.

[Sam.]

thanks for the tips and tutorials everyone

In any case you got the perspective down and the shading is logical, apart from the lack of contrasting values, so the step to a CMI like style shouldn't be big at all.

I made it using SketchUp (3d software)
so I can't draw, do perspective or shade (OMFG)
I suck...Ã, 

nice bg btw loominous

o/

but, loom said you had them down, meaning that you can do them.. right?

[Ashen]

Right, except:

I made it using SketchUp (3d software)

Which I guess means SketchUp has them down, rather than Exsecratus.

I don't know SketchUp, but if it's a 3D program, maybe you could apply some tapering/bending modifiers to the building objects, to make them more like loominous' edit? They'll probably still look more 'regular' than true CMI-style, but closer to it than it is now. Just a thought.

[Paper Carnival]

I tried Sketchup after reading this thread. It's a very unique and easy-to-learn-and-use 3d program, perfect for outdoor buildings... But not that great for indoor scenes or anything too detailed (I think)

You could still try to render your scene in Sketchup and draw over it using a photoshop-like program. It won't be hard to learn at all. I'm going to experiment on it, thanks for mentioning the program Excecratus

[Theme]

Yes, it's a very very very very very very very very VERY VERY VERY easy to use !
I recommend for everyone who doesnt know how to draw buildings and stuff
http://www.sketchup.com/

o/