I bought a Tablet. What you think of my first go at a BG?

[IndieBoy]

Trying something simple, but I'm already finding some trouble at getting what I want although I'm happy with the colours though. What do you guys think? I'm very open to suggestions.

[evenwolf]

I like the colors and the shapes a whole hell of a lot.   It feels a little empty due to a lack of details.    If you added a foreground element I'd say this BG would really hit the spot.

The light shining from back the castle and the clouds give the image a real sense of wonder. It could use a little more blending in the top right sky region.   The pink-orange edges contrast against the tannish-brown tones.)   A little blur might be all it needs.

As for the tablet, I have very few pointers.  Are those tiny green strokes (along the horizon) blades of grass?   It doesn't come across too well so you may think about striking that.   Keep the edges nice and smooth I'd say.  Especially since they're out of focus.

[Anian]

I've got a tablet a month or two ago and still getting used to it, just practice (I'm not saying this is bad, just in general). the thing that bugs me the most is the rotation of paper (which I sometimes do) but a tablet can't be use like that.
Oh, and a tip that's fun - draw larger then reduce the size, makes the lines and detail look much nicer.

This is nice, maybe a bit more contrast (between dark and lighted areas) and, as even said, more stuff. If you want, you can try some outlines, to make it less watercolory.

[Calin Leafshade]

I've got a tablet a month or two ago and still getting used to it, just practice (I'm not saying this is bad, just in general). the thing that bugs me the most is the rotation of paper (which I sometimes do) but a tablet can't be use like that.

Actually it can.. on Painter you can rotate the canvas while painting and you can do the same on later versions of PS

[Igor Hardy]

Very nice, painterly look. I really like the colors you used for the sky and the castle.

[Tramponline]

Like it a lot! I have to say, I especially like the watercolor-like look of it.
It would be the perfect setting for an adaption of a children's book story!


PS: Would it maybe be possible to setup a collective thread about graphic tablets in general? I know there're some, spread all over the forum, but they're fairly old. It would be nice to have some short & comprehensive feedback on different versions of tablets you people are using - and I mean professionals and newbs alike!
That would be most helpful! What do you think? (apology for off-topic remark IndieBoy!)  

[Anian]

Actually it can.. on Painter you can rotate the canvas while painting and you can do the same on later versions of PS

Ah, found it, CS4 has it, but I have CS3.

EDIT: I was wrong, it's in plain open sight (under Image tab), now I have to tie to one tablet or keyboard key.

[Ilyich]

Looks lovely! Nice, smooth colors and flowing curves, charming hand-painted feel. Lots of empty space is a problem, but it can be solved not only by adding more detail, but simply by giving it more texture (try using Corel Painter, for example).
Also, the simplistic style reminded me of a wonderful dA artist, I suggest you check him out and take some pointers from there. Good luck!

[IndieBoy]

Thanks guys for your comments and sorry for the late reply, I've just got a new laptop so I'm in a kind of crossover period. So I haven't worked on that background since I posted. In the mean time I made this little fellow today. I pretty happy that I'm getting to grips with the tablet, 'cause this is very like how I draw normally. What do you guys think?

[GreenBoy]

Looks good, you have a very clear style.  I would think about changing the colours, they are melding together a bit much, also the stance is a bit feminine (not sure if that's on purpose or not) also the ear is quite high, it would normally be positioned no higher than the top of the eyes.

[Calin Leafshade]

I would consider turning on pressure sensitivity for your line work. It tends to make it far more interesting to look at and less 'MSpainty'

[evenwolf]

the stance is a bit feminine (not sure if that's on purpose or not)

I was curious how to phrase this.  I made a similar observation but what struck me is that the stance is "stiff" rather than "loose".    When he walks make sure you give him flowing loose movement.

[IndieBoy]

Yeah looking again he does look rather feminine like. I think it is his left leg that gives that impression. I'm trying to work on my general human forms, as they are one of my weakest areas in my drawing. As of the pressure sensitivity, I did draw the guy with it on originally, but then decided to use a hard outline to make it less washed out looking.

[loominous]

I like the curvy pose, but his high shoulders make him look tense. His left arm could be more loose as well (the looser the arms hang from the body, the less feminine the pose).

Rough liquify edit:

[Matti]

Nice edit, loomy. I was thinking about a paintover myself and it would've been very close to yours..