theiconasylum (as reviewed by goddessofsouls)
[01] First Impression
The journal layout is quite clean and the colors match the header perfectly - though working on the code to achieve the header to move fluently with the rest of the journal would be my suggestion toward it.
The header itself at first glane is nice but you start to notice that the image quality isn't what it could be, I suggest (if using Photoshop CS) when saving as to use maximum 12 quality to make the image look more crisp without having to sharpen it too much.
[02] Prominent Subjects
I see a lot of old fashioned type movies (EG: That Thing You Do, Dirty Dancing, Catch Me If You Can, etc.) as well as dabbling in Lost characters, pop singers and miscellaenous actors, too.
[03] Style
Scrolling down the page I see alot of different techniques being used in each batch but alittle of yourself in each one. Though your newest post seems to be the least prominate and distinct as the rest. I think what you've been doing will get you a long way. I like how you try different colors and text in each one but remember not using text is good too - though I think in your Britney Spears post it seems though text could be used, as well as different cropping techniqes and coloring. They seem so plain compared to your earlier works. I also advise not using the sharpen tool so much. Sometimes with image quality the sharpening makes it look funky and takes away from the artistic view of the icon itself.
A tutorial that helped me best with coloring the most would be this one by undercoveregg. You can always try playing with the different selections as well and you can come up with some amazing coloring techniqies along the way.
[04] Text
Like I said before you do alot of dabbling in text which is good, I notice some icons can be left without it but when you've made your text prominate it doesn't over power the image to the extreme. I think, though, you should try harder colors or adding backgrounds to your text sometimes since it may be hard to read with a multicolored image for a background.
I found some text related tutortials at icon_tutorial that you may find helpful. 01, 02, 03.
[05] Miscellaneous
Two posts of nicely created screencaps.
[06] Overall Impression
It was interesting looking through your journal. You had many different icons to look at and pick from and you didn't just stay in one specific fandom.
[07] Constructive Criticism (if any at all)
As said before, know your text limits. Try different backgrounding text styles. Easy on the sharpen and try to give your icons a better image quality. As far as your recent post, be more creative! You have the will to do it and I think you can make some seriously great things, try different techniques. If you're ever in a slump, goto places like takenote_icons and ultimateicons and see what other people have created. Not saying you should copy but when I look through other icons they inspire me and give me ideas of my own.
[08](three) Personal Favourites
The journal layout is quite clean and the colors match the header perfectly - though working on the code to achieve the header to move fluently with the rest of the journal would be my suggestion toward it.
The header itself at first glane is nice but you start to notice that the image quality isn't what it could be, I suggest (if using Photoshop CS) when saving as to use maximum 12 quality to make the image look more crisp without having to sharpen it too much.
[02] Prominent Subjects
I see a lot of old fashioned type movies (EG: That Thing You Do, Dirty Dancing, Catch Me If You Can, etc.) as well as dabbling in Lost characters, pop singers and miscellaenous actors, too.
[03] Style
Scrolling down the page I see alot of different techniques being used in each batch but alittle of yourself in each one. Though your newest post seems to be the least prominate and distinct as the rest. I think what you've been doing will get you a long way. I like how you try different colors and text in each one but remember not using text is good too - though I think in your Britney Spears post it seems though text could be used, as well as different cropping techniqes and coloring. They seem so plain compared to your earlier works. I also advise not using the sharpen tool so much. Sometimes with image quality the sharpening makes it look funky and takes away from the artistic view of the icon itself.
A tutorial that helped me best with coloring the most would be this one by undercoveregg. You can always try playing with the different selections as well and you can come up with some amazing coloring techniqies along the way.
[04] Text
Like I said before you do alot of dabbling in text which is good, I notice some icons can be left without it but when you've made your text prominate it doesn't over power the image to the extreme. I think, though, you should try harder colors or adding backgrounds to your text sometimes since it may be hard to read with a multicolored image for a background.
I found some text related tutortials at icon_tutorial that you may find helpful. 01, 02, 03.
[05] Miscellaneous
Two posts of nicely created screencaps.
[06] Overall Impression
It was interesting looking through your journal. You had many different icons to look at and pick from and you didn't just stay in one specific fandom.
[07] Constructive Criticism (if any at all)
As said before, know your text limits. Try different backgrounding text styles. Easy on the sharpen and try to give your icons a better image quality. As far as your recent post, be more creative! You have the will to do it and I think you can make some seriously great things, try different techniques. If you're ever in a slump, goto places like takenote_icons and ultimateicons and see what other people have created. Not saying you should copy but when I look through other icons they inspire me and give me ideas of my own.
[08](three) Personal Favourites