So ya wanna make wallpapers? Need some inspiration or ideas? Want feedback on something you've been working on? Or do ya got a request? This is the place for it. Share your works, comment on others, point out some helpful tutorials or galleries you like. They don't even have to be anime, the aim is to encourage each other to become better artists.
So to kick things of, here are a few general pointers that I've picked up over the years:
Keep it simple. Remember, it's a background you're making, so ideally it should be as unobtrusive as possible. Avoid unessecary clutter with too many images and too much text.
Think about layout. Bear the positions of taskbars and icons in mind; we would't want someone hidden behind a row of icons, would we? Have a single focal point, like a face or a character, that draws most of the attention.
Consider colour. Pick a colour scheme that compliments the images you're using and the mood you're going for. Try to limit the colour pallette, and not have too many garishly contrasting colours.
Use large images. Bigger usually means better quality, and scaling down results in lower quality loss than scaling up. If you're cutting out an image, do it manually and take it as close to the edges as possible. It's more time-consuming, but it results in a much cleaner image without a horrible border.
Learn the program. Whether it's Photoshop, Paintshop Pro or GIMP, it should go without saying that the more you use a program, the better you get with it. Learn the different tools, and look out some tutorials for some extra help.
Don't be afraid to experiment. Try using various filters on the background and see what comes out. At the same time, don't go overboard. It's tempting to suddenly apply a new technique to evey single piece, but knowing when to use a particular tech is an important skill.
Keep practicing. Take any criticism on board, think about how to improve, and keep at it. It'll all fall into place in due time.
These are just my own suggestions, and a lot of it is basic art and design sensibilities, but any other little pearls anyone else may have to offer are most welcome. Come on folks, lets hear -and see- them!
So to kick things of, here are a few general pointers that I've picked up over the years:
Keep it simple. Remember, it's a background you're making, so ideally it should be as unobtrusive as possible. Avoid unessecary clutter with too many images and too much text.
Think about layout. Bear the positions of taskbars and icons in mind; we would't want someone hidden behind a row of icons, would we? Have a single focal point, like a face or a character, that draws most of the attention.
Consider colour. Pick a colour scheme that compliments the images you're using and the mood you're going for. Try to limit the colour pallette, and not have too many garishly contrasting colours.
Use large images. Bigger usually means better quality, and scaling down results in lower quality loss than scaling up. If you're cutting out an image, do it manually and take it as close to the edges as possible. It's more time-consuming, but it results in a much cleaner image without a horrible border.
Learn the program. Whether it's Photoshop, Paintshop Pro or GIMP, it should go without saying that the more you use a program, the better you get with it. Learn the different tools, and look out some tutorials for some extra help.
Don't be afraid to experiment. Try using various filters on the background and see what comes out. At the same time, don't go overboard. It's tempting to suddenly apply a new technique to evey single piece, but knowing when to use a particular tech is an important skill.
Keep practicing. Take any criticism on board, think about how to improve, and keep at it. It'll all fall into place in due time.
These are just my own suggestions, and a lot of it is basic art and design sensibilities, but any other little pearls anyone else may have to offer are most welcome. Come on folks, lets hear -and see- them!
