Toilets!

[Tenacious Stu]

Hi Guys

I'm a bit rusty when it comes to creating background art and I'm currently working on something using a mouse to draw pixels. I took a break for an hour and dusted off the old tablet and decided to have a go at painting something instead (I haven't got much experience using a tablet). It's nothing special, but I just wondered what opinions where of it. Here it is:



I drew the original image at 640x400 and then re-sized at the end. I'm thinking that after my current project, I will start to use my tablet as I feel like I've been working on my current BG for days and it's still unfinished. If I can create this in an hour, then with a little practice, I should be able to creat a fairly decent BG.

Thanks in advance for any comments

[Andail]

It's a start, but I really think you could work some more on it.
Composition: Lower the toilet as well as the horizon. It's not pleasant to look at. Bring the toilet closer to the viewer - it's the focus of the composition, after all.
Colour: Ok, I guess it's become some sort of tradition to use a lot of blue in AGS backgrounds, but really, don't overdo it.

I made my version uncoloured, because I wanted to focus on the composition here. See how it's much easier to look at? More air, less stressful shapes and lines that hurt your eyes.

[Anian]

Yeah, Andail's perspective is better (and more accurate).
I'd  keep Andail's thing, but move the whole scene up a bit though (so there's less sky), then that trash can can be seen (gives more detail to the scene). It also would make the building seem like a part of something instead of looking isolated from the rest of the city. It can still keep the focus with the right lighting (like putting a lit boy/girl sign above the doors) that illuminates the ground below it slightly etc.)

[Tenacious Stu]

@Andail

Well, it's not really a background for an adventure game. I just decided to take a break from the game I'm currently working on to practice my tablet skills (what little there are). With regards to composition, I can't say I've ever though about it like that. I mean, when doing a BG I would think about where stuff needs to be for the game, but not how it will look. Can anyone recommend any articles on composition? In Andial's example, he mentions less stressful shapes, more air will make it easier to look at, so that's a start.

@Anian

Like I say, I wasn't using any perspective points, I was just winging it and I guess it shows I agree with your suggestion about a light source. Perhaps a blue light for the boys and pink for the girls would offer some interesting lighting?

Thanks Guys

[Anian]

Like I say, I wasn't using any perspective points, I was just winging it and I guess it shows I agree with your suggestion about a light source. Perhaps a blue light for the boys and pink for the girls would offer some interesting lighting?

Depends on the style and atmosphere you're going for, if it's not cartoony and comedic then I'd do it in some low saturated color like pale green, fluorescent blue or yellowish, again depending on the rest of the color scheme.