Backgrounds for MAGS entry (prompt replies please!)

[Pelican]

I've been a bit hesitant about posting anything here, as my artwork leaves something to be desired, but as one of the aims of MAGS is to improve the areas in which you have trouble, so here goes:



It's just a simple little background; I think the perspective is fine, but I don't quite know where to go from here. I think I need some tips on shading or something, so it doesn't look quite so bland. I don't want it to look particularly realistic, as its for a humourous game, but any advice would be welcome. Thanks.

P.S. I've checked that its ok to get critique for a MAGS entry, so I'm not cheating! Oh, and this has just been done with MS Paint, so if you suggest any specific tools, please tell me what program they're from!

[Moox]

Walls are bare, add a painting or wall paper.
Bookshelf should be different color then floor.
Whats out the window?
GET RID OF BLACK OUTLINES

[Darth Mandarb]

- got rid of black outlines
- made floor more of a brown wood color (though I do like the cherry)
- changed color of bedframe (was same as floor and blended)
- changed color of bookshelf (same as above)
- added baseboard
- changed the curtains a bit
- added shading

I used Photoshop to do this, but with low color as you have it, it shouldn't be too difficult to duplicate something like this in Paint.

As LT said, I would add some things to the walls (pictures, etc) because they do look pretty barren as is.

Also, the ceiling may be a bit high ...

Hope it helps!

[Damien]

Here's my version, made in mspaint, I:
-added outlines where there weren't any,
-fixed black lines and double pixels,
-added and changed some colours,
-made ceiling lower and added a lamp
-added some shading

Some suggestions:
-try adding some details like power switches, outlets, maybe a rug on the floor and stuff,
-you could also try to add some texture, like to the wood and stuff.
-you know, in mspaint, if you double click a color you can change it's luminousity (sp), that's usefull for creating shadows and outlines,
-also, try actually saving the image like a png, not just renaming the bmp extension

[Pelican]

I didn't have any black outlines on the original. I had used darker versions of the colour to try and show some of the edges. Like on the bookcase, just to show where the front edges were. I didn't want to make it look like a solid block of colour. Especially after working out all those darn perspective lines.Ã, 

Edit: I forgot to say, the MAGS theme is fantasy, so I was going for a rather rustic type house/room. So no electricity! Though, if it's fantasy, I should be able to do what I like with it... Stick up some pop posters or something! Lol. Still, this has given me some good ideas. Thanks.

[Pelican]

I was gonna just edit the original post, but I thought you might want to see the difference. Anyway, I've looked at your suggestions and examples, and here's how it looks at the moment:



Here's what I did:
- lowered the ceiling, and showed more of the floor instead
- changed some of the colours
- removed black lines, worked out shading to show edges instead
- put in shadows
- changed the curtains
- added a poster (it makes sense in context of the game, so its a little spoiler for you!)
- saved as a png file (did that make any difference?)

Damien, how would you suggest adding some texture? I was thinking of perhaps drawing a few lines in a different shade of brown, to look like the grain of the wood. Is that the sort of thing you're suggesting?


Note: While I have used the suggestions given here, I have only worked out how they were done from the examples, and I haven't copied directly from them. Don't quite know why I'm writing these little disclaimers, I don't see myself actually winning the MAGS! Ah well, you never know.

[Damien]

- saved as a png file (did that make any difference?)

Yep, the bmp image had 192 kilobytes and the png one has 4 kilobytes.

I was thinking of perhaps drawing a few lines in a different shade of brown, to look like the grain of the wood. Is that the sort of thing you're suggesting?

Yes, that's what I had in mind, here's an example:



Also, I still suggest you fix the wood colors, the floor blends in too much with the bed and the shelves.

[fovmester]

You should do as Mandarb showed you: Paint the window-wall darker than the rest. Since no light will fall on it, it'll be in shadow. And the floor colour does blend in too much with the furniture. Those grains looks like a good idea, though it could get tiresome to do.

That poster in the edit adds some character to an otherwise quite standard room. Good work! Keep on adding details and you'll have a solid background soon!

[Pelican]

O.K. here's my 3rd (and hopefully final!) version:



- I've changed the colour on the back wall(missed that on the last edit!)
- Changed some of the colours again, so the furniture doesn't blend with the floor
- Drawn some lines to simulate the grain of the wood
- Added a little vase of flowers

I'm fairly happy with it at this point, but I'm still open to suggestions. At any rate, I've some outdoors backgrounds to do that I'll probably need help with (textures mostly), so you'll probably see more pathetic artwork from me!

Edit: Good point. I knew something about the shadow of the flowers was bothering me. I decided just to remove it altogether. The vase is probably too close to the wall for the light from the window to cast a shadow. Yes that's it.

As for the floor; better now?

[BlackMan890]

i dont think there will be a shadow of the flower(because the light comes from the window)
make the shadow of the flower on the wall and maybe, fix the left side shadow of the bookshelf

[Damien]

You may want to fix the black lines on the floor, and color those nails grey.

[Pelican]

Here's my latest background:



I'm leaving the windows blank until I've done all the interiors, so you don't need to comment on that.

My problems:

- It's a scrolling background, and I've just a single vanishing point, do you think it looks ok like that?

- I'm not sure how to add texture to the dirt path/road, the grass, and the sky.
This is my vague idea for adding texture to the path and grass, but I've no idea what I should do with the sky.



Suggestions welcome. Thanks.

[Raider]

The perspective is off on the left house. the roof should cut back but you have made it go vertical.



hope it helps

- Raider

[Neutron]

For the sky, you could add some clouds. Ã, If you do, try to make not only white clouds but also some grey ones. Clouds come in many shapes, but avoid the 'cottonball' clouds. Ã, If you are making shadows on your clouds, try and visualize them as being broken up into basic shapes, like squares or spheres. Ã, I am thinking about doing a tutorial on making clouds, trees, and maybe some other foliage, so maybe i will have a good illustration for you soon. Ã, Another thing that would add interest would be telephone lines in the background. Ã, When you are adding textures to grass or dirt, just keep in mind that regardless of the way the actual strokes go ( for instance grass would be up/down direction ) try to remember that the main dynamic will be from side to side. Ã, If you were looking at it from straight overhead, it wouldn't be, but normal view, it is. Ã, I'll try to make some examples soon.

[Darth Mandarb]

You're off to a great start there!Ã,  I just added in some details/shading.



All the ground effects were achieved using a large brush on dissolve mode and just laying down some colors (not sure if you use photoshop).

The sky's color seems too ... off (even though it's for a fantasy setting) I made it more sky-ish ... so you may have wanted it more teal as you had it.Ã,  The clouds were just lines of pixels and then gausian blurred.

That's all I did, hope it helps!

[Raider]

Nice one Darth..
Just one thing the windows are empty but we don't know what to put in them so just don't forget that.

- Raider

[George]

Yes… it's Mr. Unproductive here... anyway here's my 2 cents…

It's only a quick job, but maybe you could elaborate on it, like have the figures in the bar moving, or add more wear and tear to the buildings. Or if you really wanted to, add benches and miscellaneous items (detail is always good, but in moderation).

Or, you could totally ignore and tell me to go off and make my own game.Ã, 

[Gilbert]

Are the white stuffs on the roofs bird... errr... stuffs?

[Pelican]

O.K. I got hold of a trial version of Paint Shop Pro, and after messing round with the features for a while, here's what I've got:



It doesn't look quite as good as yours Darth Mandarb, but we can't all be perfect 
Still, I'm happy enough to put it in my game, once I've filled the windows in of course. Haven't quite finished all the interiors yet.

[Losttraveler unlog]

I love the new one, the grass is marvelous