My try at Kings Quest VII Background

[joelphilippage]

I've been trying to figure out the method of drawing Kings Quest VII backgrounds.
I used this image as a source


I've been wanting to do my art off the computer lately so I tried it with colored pencils.



I then put on some filters



If you can see any ways to make it closer, please help.

[alex]

If you use photoshop (I haven't used PSP for a while but it could work in the same way), try selecting the different areas with a polygonal lasoo and using smart blur, especially for areas like the tree-tufts, grass areas, and the road.

I think that could work to even out the colors...  But you may need to do some work to restore shading details, using a darken / lighten brush.

[Evil]

Forget the filters! That colored pencil looks awesome! The road looks kind of strange with the bold contrast of the redish areas. Same with the tree.

You should totally make a game in this style. I'd be interested to see your approach at making characters or a GUI.

[alex]

Forget the filters! That colored pencil looks awesome! The road looks kind of strange with the bold contrast of the redish areas. Same with the tree.

You should totally make a game in this style. I'd be interested to see your approach at making characters or a GUI.

Well yes... if thats the style he wants...  I should add that the drawings themselves are pretty good and could be used as-is for an interesting and unique style.

[Layabout]

Ok, I'd like to say a few things.

I like the coloured pencil look. Coloured pencils are highly under-rated as an art medium, generally perceived as something for children to use. I totally disagree and think, as an artist, you can create some cool effects.

That said, some of the colours may need adjustment. You notice in the KQ7 artwork, the tree trunk colours blend into a bluey-purpley colour. I don't think you have effectively executed this in your drawing. You need more of a violet colour with two different grades, on light for the highlights, and a darker shade for the blend. For the second part of the terrain (behind the foreground, where the path leads off to, I'd be inclined to use a lighter and more blue shade of colour for the grass. Infact, give the whole lot a slightly blue hue. It's due to atmospheric particles and the reflection of the blue sky on said particles. The mountains at the back should probably also be closer in hue to the sky and very desaturated.

The grass should overlap the path slightly, particuarly on the side closest to the viewer. Paths in the kings quest series are 'dug' out of the grass, so there is overgrowth and depth to the path. Yours looks completly flat. The leafy parts of the trees lack depth and overlappyness. Use darker greens in the parts behind the overlap.

The Sierra backgrounds were hand painted. It is really the only way to get close to the 'Sierra Style'. Alternatively, try Corel Painter. I think you can get a 30-Day trial.

[joelphilippage]

I've tried hand painting it and using more purples behind the trees. I redid the layout some because I was trying to get it sort of like the tree in Kings Quest V. I like the effect much better, but the grass does not look quite right. Also, the path was very noisy so I tried smudging it some.


Any Ideas to make it a bit nicer?

[LGM]

The smart blurring method definitely helps. My only issue here is there aren't clear lines around objects, meaning they all blend together and the depth is lose. Perhaps try creating highlights around the trees and the bath to accentuate their differences.

I really do think you have the beginnings of an interesting style.

[rharpe]

Try this link for help: http://aurisacrafames.sitesled.com/Folio/sierratutorials/index.html