Need advice on a new bg

[InCreator]

Here it is. It's supposed to be a docks area.
image removed, see below for update

Problem is - I don't know what else to add to make picture detailed. Some C&C would be helpful, too.

Shadows are planned already, maybe clouds and sun too.

[veryweirdguy]

While the sand looks great, maybe add a little variety to it, such as seaweed or a couple of shells. They may not look like much, but I think they will make that big space a little more 'occupied'. A little boat, perhaps, on the horizon may also add to this.

Also, as you said, some clouds would add greatly to the big empty space at the top.

[InCreator]

Since water is not supposed to reach this sand, I'm still thinking about seaweed and shells. But added a boat, shadows and clouds. More suggestions?


edit: Some odd power deleted images from my webspace, so I posted update to another server. It's pretty much ready now, but I still can't figure out what to do with large area of sand in the center.

[YOke]

Move the anchor out on the beach. Or the net. You don't need both of them in the foreground. The rest of the foreground looks a bit too much like you just drew some random lines and filled them. Put in some gaps to suggest shape. Also the connection between the house and the sand is, well, dodgy. Right now it looks like the building is just placed on top of the sand. Make the perspective on the planks on the dock a bit more consistent. They are pointing in random directions. What I really like is the boat and the crate.

*Joins Lithium in his headbanging*
DAH-DAH-DAH
DAH-DAH-DAH-DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!

Online headbanging - It's the new thing!

[Iron Pirate]

You went from that to that and you still want advice from us? The difference was somewhat startling, to me. I think you know what you're doing, basically.

Although...

It's kind of hard to tell what time of day it is. The sky is awfully blue, but some of the shadows are quite dark. And the perspective on the docks is a bit flat. I thought it was a fence at first glance. These are minor things, but since you asked.

If you're still looking for more, maybe some rocks, twigs or grasses in the sand? Just to break it up a little. And the building could use some texture. Could be some cracks or chips in the concrete.

[shbaz]

Try uploading your pictures to the site given in the sticky thread, they're dead links now.

[AndersM]

the anchor looks strange, the 'claw' is bended the wrong way, sort of. the sand looks fantastic but wet. (But maybee it's supposed to be wet?) and the oar stands in the wrong direction (just like a showel or rake you lean it against walls with the 'head' down...)

[Blackthorne]

Personally, I think the BG looks great.  The textures are nice; and it looks really good.  I love the foreground stuff.  Very nice background; I really couldn't suggest much to improve it, except what you already have thought of; little details like seashells and such.

Bt

[[Cameron]]

Does anyone think it needs a sun?

[Iron Pirate]

Yeah, that was what I meant to get at when I said it was hard to tell what time of day it was.

[InCreator]

Hmm....

But I wasn't able to produce any rocks or seaweed which looked natural enough to fit this beach.
There's some other things I plan to put there, such as seagulls, flag and sailboat maybe, but they will be animated objects, not as a part of background.

[Farsight]

InCreator!
How do you get the pictures to show up?
I do everything you're supposed to but it just comes up with a red cross.
(Just like the picture under my user)
Can you help?

[MrColossal]

you're using a PCX, they have to be either jpgs or gifs and you can't just rename them you have to resave them

[kaaZ]

hmmm...I was going for a long story but when I hit the post button my session seemed to be expired....anyways I was trying to say I liked the older version much more...the one with the brownish sand...I feel the sun draws attention to a complete irrelevant spot and the yellow sand just doesnt look as good as the brown sand...If I were you I'd fiddle around with that version...it's a pretty good b/g...

Cheers!

kaaZ

[Iron Pirate]

I think the reason the sun draws so much attention is because it's so big and bright. Maybe it could be a little more golden, maybe smaller and partly hidden behind that cloud? I think a little stylization here is in order, and wouldn't go amiss. Right now it blends in with the clouds, and looks a little odd.

But the rest of it looks great, much brighter, and the highlights, cracks and other details you added help things a lot. You fixed the dock by covering it up, which actually makes sense, given that this is a hill.

Given the lighting, maybe the sun might be just a telltale yellow glow off one edge of the screen?

[InCreator]

Thanks for all C&C here!
I'm sure too, that you'll like game more when it comes out because you all helped to make it!