#36 Tutorial
Hi everyone! :) How are you doing? I had a little time before me, so I wrote the first tutorial for the activity Ask the Maker 5.0 requested by poisonfield and erinae! A big thanks to vampire_sessah who corrected the mistakes in this, thank you Kat! ♥
Let me tell you I absolutely don't know why I was asked to write this ahah, I have literally so little complex icons in my folder, WHY XD
WHAT MAKES AN ICON COMPLEX?
This is like, the first question I asked myself when I was asked to do this guide, what in your opinion makes an icon complex? I'm going to organize some icons for you to see some examples on ways how we can make things "complex". Let's use examples of makers who do it much better than me for this.
/!\ The aim is NOT to copy these compositions but to inspire yourself with them and find your own, the one that fits with the screencaps you're working with!
1) icons where something is happening behind
lemonpunch // lemonzter // sarisafari // wildpages // wildpages
An complex icon often features several images. Here as you can see, the makers used several images to create a background. In the first one it's the city, in the second the maker duplicated Michael's picture to create a background, etc etc. There are so many possibilities with this form! You have multiple choices : you can use a stock, duplicate your principal image, use a silhouette, use another screencap, etc. Possibilities are really endless.
Here an example from mine :
(Here two screencaps: Hawkeye and Black Widow, and a little text!)
2) icons using block
_veronique // 12feethigh // calikalie // dashberlin // talipuu
This is the easiest way to make a complex icon in my opinion. They're very easy to make and nearly every cropping can be good. As you can see in the icons above, none has really a "clean" separation between the different caps. It's more aesthetic to have it slightly blurred. How can you do that? By working with a bigger format. For example, if you work on a 200x200 canvas and you have your two caps merged on a same layer, when you will reduce the thing, the lines will be 'blurred' :
with // without
The first one seems more aesthetic to me than the second, but it's not an absolute rule either, so do what feel best! :)
An example of mine :
3) icons using block with variants
deternot // fancifull // ftprintmoon // pamkips // talipuu
Here, we still have icons featuring block. But these aren't 'simple' blocks, they use variants. For the first one, the maker transformed the classic rectangular form give it an aspect of more dynamic. In the second one, the maker used brushes and masks to blend to first screencap with the second. In the third one, the two background screencaps are blended together and the third image is with a border. In the forth one, the maker duplicated the screencaps many times, using several lines and used another one vertically. And to conclude, the fifth use vertical composition which can be another way to add dynamic to a block.
The aim is not to copy these compositions but to find your own and the one that goes well with the screencaps you're working with.
Example of mine:
(Here we have three screencaps: the one where Sherlock is calling set on screen, the one where we see his back and another one with Moriarty on the top and on the bottom.)
4) icons using stock
pandavirus // sarisafari // talipuu // calikalie // daaydreamer
Using stock is another way to add complexity. Be careful with what you choose, it's better when the stock has a link with what you icon, the second one used a swan because the movie is about a swan, the second one use a deer because it's a symbol in the tv show. The stock can also direct the general atmosphere of your icon. For example the last icon use a skull, symbol of death, but also the soul, the spirit and time.
Example of mine:
(Here I used two screencaps, one duplicated three times with different sizes. I used a bone stock on the right because in this scene Allison will without a doubt die. I also used borders.)
5) icons using text
12feethigh // juanxyo // lemonzter // messdestruction // pamkips
And to conclude, complexity can come from text use. it fills so much space on an icon, I love using it. You can really go crazy with text, I will make a guide on it with more details at some point, but really be crazy with it!
Example of mine:
(Who said tiny text was old?)
BUT HOW? TIPS AND TRICKS
If everything went right, you have some little clues to how make an icon complex from the classification above (if not, I suck).
What can you use ? Let's recap:
- background: stock, screencaps, duplicating, silhouette, textures.
- block: you have to look for symmetry, complementarity between caps and colors (red/blue, blue/orange, green/purple), contrast (far/close), lighting (light/dark), action (different moments of it), blurred caps, etc. Use brushes, masks, transformation, duplicate everything, move things everywhere, use different sizes.
- stock: stay close to the context, use them however you like, use shapes (circle, square), work with colors (a stock is not always white).
- text: duplicate it, use different fonts, different colors (not only white!), move it around, transform it, ...
To conclude : TRY EVERYTHING. Open a lot of textures, duplicate everything, move thing everywhere, GO CRAZY.
Example:
1. Tumblr texture resized.
2. Adding text.
3. Adding a nature stock colored in red.
4. Adding text.
5. Adding screencap and coloring. END!
1. Tumblr texture resized.
2. Adding screencap.
3. Adding the other screencaps.
4. Adding a texture at the bottom.
5. Adding a bones stock. END!
1. Base
2. Adding auto Curves + Curves to brighten + Color Balance with more magenta and blue.
3. Adding a blue gradient map on the first screencap.
4. Other canvas with another screencaps.
5. Same step as 2.
6. Adding a magenta gradient map + Curves to brighten.
7. Pasting the screencap on the icon, set on screen. Adding brightness and contrast. END!
THINGS YOU SHOULDN'T DO:
awkward block // very awkward duplication and placing // awkward placing, awkward text, awkward block.
1. Try to stick to the line. Flying rectangles are not pretty at all. SYMMETRY!
2. Go crazy yes, but it has to stay graphical. Don't try to force a screencap to become a complex icon. I believe all screencaps can be used in a complex icon but sometimes you don't reach that point. This cropping wasn't made for complex obviously XD. The lines aren't good either, the diagonal is not right in the composition. (stick to the rule of third if you can)
3. Never, NEVER use text like that. You have here two boring screencaps if you use them like that, nothing is happening, none contrast, none complementarity, brief. The text is there in the center, very awkward because you can't see the second screencap, and it doesn't bring anything, it's just there, annoying everyone. DON'T! If a screencap doesn't want text, don't force text on it.
HOW THINGS COULD HAVE BEEN BETTER:
symmetry: the screencaps go better together, the colors fit better, the lines are good.
text: if you want
rotation: why the hell not
contrast: light/dark, but really boring
texture: why not
rotation, cutting, etc: WHY THE HELL NOT
color: WHY NOT
(this is literally what I'm always thinking when making a complex icon. Yup.)
If you have any questions shoot! And if you tried something, don't hesitate to post it! :D
Let me tell you I absolutely don't know why I was asked to write this ahah, I have literally so little complex icons in my folder, WHY XD
WHAT MAKES AN ICON COMPLEX?
This is like, the first question I asked myself when I was asked to do this guide, what in your opinion makes an icon complex? I'm going to organize some icons for you to see some examples on ways how we can make things "complex". Let's use examples of makers who do it much better than me for this.
/!\ The aim is NOT to copy these compositions but to inspire yourself with them and find your own, the one that fits with the screencaps you're working with!
1) icons where something is happening behind
lemonpunch // lemonzter // sarisafari // wildpages // wildpages
An complex icon often features several images. Here as you can see, the makers used several images to create a background. In the first one it's the city, in the second the maker duplicated Michael's picture to create a background, etc etc. There are so many possibilities with this form! You have multiple choices : you can use a stock, duplicate your principal image, use a silhouette, use another screencap, etc. Possibilities are really endless.
Here an example from mine :
(Here two screencaps: Hawkeye and Black Widow, and a little text!)
2) icons using block
_veronique // 12feethigh // calikalie // dashberlin // talipuu
This is the easiest way to make a complex icon in my opinion. They're very easy to make and nearly every cropping can be good. As you can see in the icons above, none has really a "clean" separation between the different caps. It's more aesthetic to have it slightly blurred. How can you do that? By working with a bigger format. For example, if you work on a 200x200 canvas and you have your two caps merged on a same layer, when you will reduce the thing, the lines will be 'blurred' :
with // without
The first one seems more aesthetic to me than the second, but it's not an absolute rule either, so do what feel best! :)
An example of mine :
3) icons using block with variants
deternot // fancifull // ftprintmoon // pamkips // talipuu
Here, we still have icons featuring block. But these aren't 'simple' blocks, they use variants. For the first one, the maker transformed the classic rectangular form give it an aspect of more dynamic. In the second one, the maker used brushes and masks to blend to first screencap with the second. In the third one, the two background screencaps are blended together and the third image is with a border. In the forth one, the maker duplicated the screencaps many times, using several lines and used another one vertically. And to conclude, the fifth use vertical composition which can be another way to add dynamic to a block.
The aim is not to copy these compositions but to find your own and the one that goes well with the screencaps you're working with.
Example of mine:
(Here we have three screencaps: the one where Sherlock is calling set on screen, the one where we see his back and another one with Moriarty on the top and on the bottom.)
4) icons using stock
pandavirus // sarisafari // talipuu // calikalie // daaydreamer
Using stock is another way to add complexity. Be careful with what you choose, it's better when the stock has a link with what you icon, the second one used a swan because the movie is about a swan, the second one use a deer because it's a symbol in the tv show. The stock can also direct the general atmosphere of your icon. For example the last icon use a skull, symbol of death, but also the soul, the spirit and time.
Example of mine:
(Here I used two screencaps, one duplicated three times with different sizes. I used a bone stock on the right because in this scene Allison will without a doubt die. I also used borders.)
5) icons using text
12feethigh // juanxyo // lemonzter // messdestruction // pamkips
And to conclude, complexity can come from text use. it fills so much space on an icon, I love using it. You can really go crazy with text, I will make a guide on it with more details at some point, but really be crazy with it!
Example of mine:
(Who said tiny text was old?)
BUT HOW? TIPS AND TRICKS
If everything went right, you have some little clues to how make an icon complex from the classification above (if not, I suck).
What can you use ? Let's recap:
- background: stock, screencaps, duplicating, silhouette, textures.
- block: you have to look for symmetry, complementarity between caps and colors (red/blue, blue/orange, green/purple), contrast (far/close), lighting (light/dark), action (different moments of it), blurred caps, etc. Use brushes, masks, transformation, duplicate everything, move things everywhere, use different sizes.
- stock: stay close to the context, use them however you like, use shapes (circle, square), work with colors (a stock is not always white).
- text: duplicate it, use different fonts, different colors (not only white!), move it around, transform it, ...
To conclude : TRY EVERYTHING. Open a lot of textures, duplicate everything, move thing everywhere, GO CRAZY.
Example:
1. Tumblr texture resized.
2. Adding text.
3. Adding a nature stock colored in red.
4. Adding text.
5. Adding screencap and coloring. END!
1. Tumblr texture resized.
2. Adding screencap.
3. Adding the other screencaps.
4. Adding a texture at the bottom.
5. Adding a bones stock. END!
1. Base
2. Adding auto Curves + Curves to brighten + Color Balance with more magenta and blue.
3. Adding a blue gradient map on the first screencap.
4. Other canvas with another screencaps.
5. Same step as 2.
6. Adding a magenta gradient map + Curves to brighten.
7. Pasting the screencap on the icon, set on screen. Adding brightness and contrast. END!
THINGS YOU SHOULDN'T DO:
awkward block // very awkward duplication and placing // awkward placing, awkward text, awkward block.
1. Try to stick to the line. Flying rectangles are not pretty at all. SYMMETRY!
2. Go crazy yes, but it has to stay graphical. Don't try to force a screencap to become a complex icon. I believe all screencaps can be used in a complex icon but sometimes you don't reach that point. This cropping wasn't made for complex obviously XD. The lines aren't good either, the diagonal is not right in the composition. (stick to the rule of third if you can)
3. Never, NEVER use text like that. You have here two boring screencaps if you use them like that, nothing is happening, none contrast, none complementarity, brief. The text is there in the center, very awkward because you can't see the second screencap, and it doesn't bring anything, it's just there, annoying everyone. DON'T! If a screencap doesn't want text, don't force text on it.
HOW THINGS COULD HAVE BEEN BETTER:
symmetry: the screencaps go better together, the colors fit better, the lines are good.
text: if you want
rotation: why the hell not
contrast: light/dark, but really boring
texture: why not
rotation, cutting, etc: WHY THE HELL NOT
color: WHY NOT
(this is literally what I'm always thinking when making a complex icon. Yup.)
If you have any questions shoot! And if you tried something, don't hesitate to post it! :D