Not So Inclined
Three Firefly wallpapers of dubious quality I made. I've been practicing for the Wallpaper Challenge at whedonland, and these are some of my best efforts so far. Feel free to (constructively) criticize. Well, except for overuse of all the pretty textures, because I know I did that. But I like them anyway!Under the cut. All 800x600 (er... or like 800x597
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Okay, so concrit! The main comments I have is make sure that you use good quality pictures (or you're careful about image quality when you resize. I have no tips for that because my PaintShop hates resizing images and it's mainly trial and error, but yeah). The ones in the River/Jayne one are perfect, but the Mal/Inara one in particular is a little fuzzy. Also, it's generally a bad idea to have textures over people's faces/skin, which I really only noticed in the River one. Your cut-outs are generally pretty good, and I know it's something I still struggle with loooooads, but make sure that you're using a soft eraser/brush and you gradually decrease in size as you get nearer the person. Sometimes you have to make your brush harder as you get nearer to the skin, but that's something that you just have to go with when you're doing it xD. But yeah, that mainly takes practise.
So, sorry that's so long and I hope that's the kind of concrit you were looking for. I really love them, though, and if they were the right size for my computer I'd probably be snagging the River/Jayne one (I have a 1280x800 screen, it's hard to find wallpapers the right size xD).
<3
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I think you're right - trial and error, and practice. Yeah, I have lots of trouble resizing! So frustrating. Heh. Oooh, now that you say that you're totally right about the Mal/Inara. And I left a whole line of background on Mal's face. Fail. *laughs* I wanted that exact scene, and that was the best one I could find. I have no google-fu skilss. Hee. Thanks for the tips on cut-outs, too. I was making it softer as I got nearer the skin.
I know what you mean about finding the right size! My comp's like 1400x900 so I usually just have to find a close sized one and have a nice black border around it! Heh.
Anyway, thanks again! :D
(Also, love your icon! So pretty... Hee. And, if you want to know if you ship River/Jayne, read the Horseshoe Nails series by Dyce if you have the time. Here's the first story: Two Gorram Days. There are 5 in all. It's like... the Rayne bible to a lot of the writers. Including me. XP)
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Yeah, for serious - the best thing you can do is practise. Following tutorials always helps - I find the ones on RCR are really good (you need to register to see them) - because they give you an idea of how to use different tools and stuff, plus they have pretty stuff which is always a bonus xD.
Yeah, some people say to make your brush softer as you get nearer the person, but I find that makes the outlines fuzzy and wibbly. I usually start with a hardness of about 15-25, and increase it to about 45 when I get closer in. And zoom in a lot! Lmao, that's the best way to make sure your cuts are neat. xD
Yeah, I've edited loads of wallpapers to have a border in a match colour (because black really doesn't go with everything xD) just so they fit. It's sucky.
You're welcome, hun. :D
(Thanks, wish I could claim credit, but the maker's on my userpics page - since I can't remember who it was - plus David Boreanaz pretty much makes icons awesome by himself. xD Your icon made me laugh :D. Ooh, thanks for the rec, I will definitely check it out.)
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