How to achieve CMI style backgrounds

[tomekumb]

Is there some tutorials on the net about Curse of Monkey Island style backgrounds. I've searched by google and found nothing at all. I'm not good in art at all but I would like to learn some techniques to draw something at least similiar to those in CMI (I mean colors, shading, perspective(one or two vanishing points and where to put them)). I really would like to make some adventure game but it need some art talent to draw background. I know that graphic is not the most important but I really love the art style in CMI, that's why I'm asking.
Below are my concept art (just efforts, nothng special) (at the moment I don't have scanner so those are not hand drawn):

http://www.2dadventure.com/ags/lantern.jpg
http://www.2dadventure.com/ags/scene123.jpg

[IM NOT TEH SPAM]

I can't see the second one, but the first one looks good.

You're art style looks good, but (based on the lighthouse) it looks like you're just trying too hard to make it cartoony.  That's a great piece of artwork, I'd just suggest honing your own style rather than trying to get someone elses.  Rather than trying to search for CMI art tutorials, get art tutorials on shading and perspective and such, and once you learn all the basics (it doesn't even look like you need to, based on the pic I already saw) and then just study CMI art.  Post another thread here later, with something close to CMI style--you'll get plenty of responses.

(Just so you know, I have no idea if what you already put up here is CMI-style or not, I never played it  )

Edit: what I meant by cartoony was the hugely angled lighthouse, which would look just as good if it were standing strait

[Khris]

IMO, those two pics don't look cartoony at all.
There's way too much structure (grass, lighthouse, tree, leaves) and the saturation has to be much higher.

Look here for screens from CMI:
http://www.billtiller.com/projects/monkey_island.asp

Bill Tiller @ adventure developers, sharing his knowledge:
http://www.adventuredevelopers.com/regularfeatures.php?action=view&id=1

Especially focus on the use of bright colors and subtle gradients.

[Pet Terry]

Also, check this thread: http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/yabb/index.php?topic=22532.0

I like your current work, very nice colours and stuff, but as said it doesn't look CMIsh. I'd suggest getting a scanner or a tablet and studying those links in khrismuc's post. But keep it up, it seems you have gotten quite a good grasp of computer art already.

[tomekumb]

Thanks for your feedback and help. I've read many topics like you said and they are really helpful.

Here is modificated version of latern: http://www.2dadventure.com/ags/lantern2.jpg                                                                                           

Day after tomorrow I'll have scanner and I will be able to make hand drawn backgrounds.

[Floskfinger]

You'll need some black outlines on your BG's

[tomekumb]

Ok here is another shot. Some outlines and textures changes.
Link: http://www.2dadventure.com/ags/lantern5.jpg

[LGM]

You're getting there... It's still definitely too "painty" to look like CMI.

[rharpe]

Wouldn't Lucas Arts be the first place to look for this sort of style? Also, Igor has a very similar style he used for Ignac. Maybe you could ask him what references he used to develop his style. (Books, links, inspirations, artists, etc.)

I'm very attracted to this style myself, and pondered on this same question. 

[Scummbuddy]

You wouldnt look to LucasArts, especially today. You would look for Bill Tiller sites and there are links to him and things he has written on links provided already on this thread. One of the links sends you to another thread, where I posted my link to "How to Draw Monkeys the..." which is a great read for trying to capture that feeling.

And CMI != Igor....

[rharpe]

You wouldnt look to LucasArts, especially today.

Why not? They created CMI didn't they?

You would look for Bill Tiller sites and there are links to him and things he has written on links provided already on this thread. One of the links sends you to another thread, where I posted my link to "How to Draw Monkeys the..." which is a great read for trying to capture that feeling.

I'll have to see that thread...thanks!

And CMI != Igor....

OK, so it's more like DOTT, but I do remember saying "similar"... not "exactly".

Thanks for the info Scumbucket... I mean buddy. (j/k)

[IM NOT TEH SPAM]

You wouldn't look to LucasArts because they got rid of all their old adventure games and replaced them with crappy star wars games with no plots and shiny special effects (Kinda like his movies... last star wars my ass)

[jannar85]

Also, this could be helpful:

How to draw monkeys the Lucasarts way (By Bill Tiller)

Good luck.

[Scummbuddy]

Jannar is teh silly. I already suggested that. It's up on my site.