Not really really happy with those, but I made them and don't know what to do.
(http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q53/JustLedZep/lc3-1.png)
I do find this one very weird and blurry.I think the tree should be coloured as the rest of the pic, but instead it's dark. Making sort of a bad contrast.
(http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q53/JustLedZep/lc32-1.png)
I actually do like this one. But I think it would do..
Anyway, I'm open to opinions.
Just a quick note:
first one looks too blurry to my eyes. I cannot get the image on focus (lens flares are a bit heavy), plus the tree seems pasted over the background. It feels oniric, maybe way too much, but if that is what you had in mind while painting, that's ok.
Second one is much better: i like the blue shades and the somewhat windy hill; plus, the fog adds a deep misty touch. Maybe a sky more crowded with stars would be better, but that's just an opinion.
I'm really puzzled at what the first BG is about. What is it, and why the funky colours?
The second looks okay, imo. Maybe you could lower the brightness of the moon and give it some moon-texture. And it's a tad empty.
You and your damned blur tool :D
I haven't seen a background from you yet that hasn't had this massive blur to it. Why do you insist on using it so much? Blur usually means it's out of focus, some form of energy, a dream, condensation/fog, a very hot desert like environment.. etc.
I really like what you did with the second night time background. But it could definitely use some more of anything to fill it up. Perhaps some extra stars may even do the trick. The blurriness creates a wet, foggy feeling, so it works great here. Just not on something like in your first background.
I'm assuming these are for an adventure game and not just random art without any real purpose or realism.
Anyway, keep drawing and keep fooling around with different techniques.
Ryan, yeah I know Blur can be an ass. And I agree bg1 is as blurry as hell. I like the effect on blur and sort of try to restrain myself and use it properly.