Beach background

[Sadistyk]

Hello. I'm working on this beach background, but... does that look like sand to you??



Also, what do you think about the palm trees??

[Atelier]

The sand looks positively undulating. The palm trees also look good, however their hair should look more like pineapple's. (At the moment they're as limp as a shaggy dog after a bath). But my first impression was actually a desert rather than a beach (the temple-like thing is the main culprit).

[paolo]

It looks like sand to me only because of the palm trees. Sand is generally much paler and more yellowy brown than orange.

[Sadistyk]

That temple-thingy it's supposed to be a colonial house, but yeah, it doesn't look like it. I have to re-draw it. And I'll try the sand again with a more yellow-like color.

Thanks both paolo and AtelierGames 

[evenwolf]

It looks like sand but maybe on an alien world.   I rather like it.

[h3adlin3]

Perhaps a more subtle shading would be in order, like with snow.

[Sadistyk]

What about now?? I think it's a little better than before.

[Dualnames]

SAND ALRIGHT!!

I'd put some contrast in the sand (tiny wheeny), but that's just nitpicking, it looks great. And MI clouds really add to the overall bg.

[Kaio]

It looks awesome! But I agree about adding more contrast to the sand. Other than that, it's great .

[Sadistyk]

I think I know what you mean about the hair of the palm trees. How about now??

[DrWhite]

A very nice background. I´d add a further layer of sand in the back, so you see you re really in a desert.
Just a view pixels. I did a paintover, but imageshack doesn´t like me today.

Edit: now it´s working.
Anyway, awesome background, super clouds.

[Sadistyk]

Thanks all for the critics 

[Da_Elf]

living on a tropical island id say the sand is too yellow. it looks more like desert sand and the palm trees looks more date trees.
http://www.caribbeancruiselinedestinations.com/images/barbados.jpg
beaches down here

[MMMorshew]

I like the colors a lot better now, but somehow I think that the style in which the sand is drawn in the first picture gives it a lot more depth.

[Phemar]

The sand is way too yellow at the moment... Da Elf is right, it needs to be whiter to give it that beach look.

[Sughly]

For a good reference for sand colour, there's this pic from Monkey Island 3 (link goes to giantbomb sorry, was too lazy to upload my own pic) - http://www.giantbomb.com/the-curse-of-monkey-island/61-5729/pc-screenshots/52-15535/mi10/51-212518/
Trees can be used for similar reference, I think they too have a very dark colour, possibly darker than need be. Mind you I'm a sucker for softer tones so.... maybe I'm just biased  

I used this colour palette for a recent beach background I did for university, which I DID happen to upload already here - http://www.kramsdesign.com/scrap/BeachBG-crop.jpg (bit big so better to link out)

[Anian]

I used this colour palette for a recent beach background I did for university, which I DID happen to upload already here - http://www.kramsdesign.com/scrap/BeachBG-crop.jpg (bit big so better to link out)

This, while really nicely drawn, actually looks more like snow to me.

[Sughly]

Haha, yeah I suppose it does... fair point. But at least, more to the point, the colour works (I think)

[theo]

Add shadows. They will create contrast that punch your highlights further and make them feel bathed in sunlight. Without shadows to compare them with, bright areas don't feel bright. Also, remember that with a clear blue sky, shadows contain a lot of blue. This is very important to create the tropical feel you are clearly after.

Keep drawing!