The first was kind of random, meaning i didn't follow a specific tutorial or method.. and I followed a tutorial for the second one. I personally like the second one much more because i tried to expand my technique and I think it sort of reflects that... maybe? Anyways, CnC please Stock: Spoiler Stock: Spoiler
Actually, the first one in my opinion is much better... blended together, and more stylish. For some reason I don't like the 2nd one as much, but both are nice. Better than any I've done.
First One: Focal: Fairly well defined. Flow: Fairly good, most lines go in the same direction Blending: Good. Lighting: Not Bad. Colours: Pretty Good. Areas to Improve: It is simple, however in this case it actually is somewhat boring as a result. The Background is boring, but it sort of seems to be by design. Overall: Fairly good, an improvement over some of your earlier work for sure. Second: Focal: Moderately well defined, however somewhat split between the creeper and the swirl effect. Flow: Flows conflict; the lines in the background go one way, the swirls go another. Blending: Good. Lighting: Better. Colours: Monotonous but good. Areas to Improve: The flow needs work. The background is all right, but doesnt reflect the lighting well, particularly in the bottom right corner, where it is artificially dark, and behind the creeper where it should be somewhat darker. Overall: Better than earlier works. I suggest looking at more tutorials, again we have a large database here:http://www.forgehub.com/forum/graphics-arts/98900-forgehub-graphics-tutorial-database.html. Look around there until you find one that you really like, then try it out.
Really? Huh, well thanks for the comment. I guess people have their preferences I used several techniques from Laxer's "Don't Let Me Go" tut on that page which helped a lot. But idk, I'm not so keen with just following a tutorial step by step, I like adding other techniques too. Anyways, thanks for the critique and I'll work on flow, lighting, and making them less boring lol
I thought the same thing for a long time, but there are actually very useful elements to tutorials that you just dont get from just practicing. For instance, I am almost certain you dont use adjustment layers very much, nor do you probably apply the image nearer to the end to apply filters, instead you probably collapse layers. You also likely don't use burn and dodge tools to their full advantage, nor blending modes. Also, each tutorial has the potential to give you something new, some new effect you can add on. There is much you can gain from tutorials. They can give methods to do things, they can show you how to use tools that are available to you. Just TRY follow one of the tutorials, one I always have like, and would recommend is the Disintegrate tutorial by miraj [link]. Pigglez's brute shot tutorial I also found useful, it gives a nice guide on gradient maps, and I personally like the background effects and I found the idea to use splatters like it does useful [link] That said, just like you are doing, you do need to practice, and get review on what you do. I try to give criticism on whatever people do, as you need to know the areas you can improve upon.