Second signature, what do you think?

[z0diark]

 

That's the second piece I've done (first is still in my signature space).

 

 

 

This is my second day using GIMP. Tell me what you think, compare it to my first and tell me where it's better/worse.

 

 

 

All c/c welcome :)

[Hopeless_Soul_13]

I don't use GIMP but it looks good to me ;) This is just me but maybe instead of that dark color in the bottom corner you can make it another bright color that goes well with the pink/red you got going there :D

[z0diark]

Hmm, you think? I chose a dark and a light colour from the render and made a gradient. I was hoping that it would kind of make her blend in a little rather than sticking out from really bright background. What does everyone else think?

[VjuliusT]

It's better then your first ;).

 

 

 

[hide=C/c]Well I want to point out that I think you have to much space in your signature for the small render you have there, try making the render larger or lower the size of the signature. The background is boring with some C4Ds (You used these right?) randomly placed out, the flow isn't that good.

 

 

 

Things that you could improve:

 

Background, try smudging a copy of the render for the background.

 

Size, I suggest making smaller signatures as a start.

 

Blending, Well it's not any blending with the render and the background at all, theres several methods and you should find some using tutorials on deviantart.

 

Render, I think it's way to small for the space there, the signature is very empty, make it larger (Depends a lot on the renders though).

 

C4Ds, You need to place these so they follow the flow of the signature.

 

Read more tutorials, Well this is your second signature and you got nearly no experience.[/hide]

 

Good luck.

[Jopie211]

Quite a lot of improvement from you first try, and it's certainly a lot better than my second Gimp signature. :mrgreen:

 

 

 

As for C/C, Julius pretty much covered it. I think blending is still the main thing you need to work on. I'll say it again: keep reading tutorials, they're (well, at least the good ones) are really useful.

 

 

 

Keep it up. :thumbup:

[z0diark]

Thank you both very much :)

 

 

 

I've basically been implementing the knowledge that I've learnt from the tutorials that I've found as I go along which I suppose could be the reason things don't fit together as well as they might.

 

 

 

I'll try and focus on blending the image more effectively and perhaps look harder for c4ds that fit with the picture.

 

 

 

I'm going to take a slight break from signature making because I have exams and have been neglecting revision but I should hopefully have my next piece up in the next week :D

[dsavi]

Yes, a vast improvement from the first one. :) My second GIMP sig was just plain embarrassing, this one flows a lot better than that first one. I don't like renders but that's just me.

 

Maybe try some text on that?

[z0diark]

Aha yes I purposely avoided text because I am truly awful at it. I'm hoping I'll find a decent tutorial to teach me how to add text that in some way matches the picture rather than just stands out as if it's just been stuck on top :P

[Unoalexi]

Much better than your first, though a little blurry and dark... I think ole Vjuli got everything major, so I second him(her?).

 

 

 

Seven kittens out of ten.

 

 

 

You do need to add text.. It isn't that hard, really.. Just don't chuck it on the side as an afterthought. Bear in mind that the text is as much a part of the sig as the render, and should be treated as such.

 

 

 

Above all things, the text needs to be clear and readable. However, there is a fine line between readable and boring. Try to make the text meld in with the rest of the signature, while still keeping it nice and clean.

 

Furthermore, proper text design includes three parts-type, color, and size.

 

When dealing with font type, you need to match the font with the style of signature. You wouldn't want to use a fluffy, fat font in a Gears of War signature, now would yah? Dafont.com is a good place to download new fonts, but you do need WinZip/WinRAR first.

 

With placement, you need to decide what is an artful and balanced place for your text. This relly comes with practice, but there are two main layouts you can use. First off, there is the Top left-Top right placement, where you separate two lines of text(Generally your name and a slogan of some sort) and place one at the top right corner and the other at the bottom right corner. This is generally used is a variety of situations,but mainly when the focus of the sig is in the center. The other common placement for text is the All-lefty/righty In this placement, all lines of text are placed to either side of the sig. Generally, this is used when the sig's focus is either to the right or left. Now, you can use these but feel free to experiment with text placement and elaborate on these two styles.

 

In coloring your text, you try to make the text flow well with the signature. If you pick a nice light color from your render(or dark if your background is light) the text should remain readable without sticking out like a sore thumb.

 

 

 

I hope I helped!

[Jopie211]

 

You do need to add text..

 

 

 

Textless sigs are fine IMO. But, some great advice. =)

[z0diark]

Thank you very much for the advice unoalexi, I'll try harder with text in the future :P

 

 

 

I briefly tried adding my name into the signature as you can see below. All I did was selected a colour from the background where it was lighter and then used the 'dodge' tool to blend it in a little bit. Does anyone know of any better tools which i can use to blend the text (and renders and c4d tbh) because although I don't mind the effect it's created it doesnt look that great in my opinion.

 

 

 

[Jopie211]

For text, try changing the layer's blending mode and/or lowering the opacity.

[VjuliusT]

Well you use gimp so I can only suggest as Jopie, lower the opacity, you could possibly duplicate the layer of the text as well for a nifty look.

[Chazimcgee]

You have improved alot since your first one :D

 

 

 

The render is blended better but you need to use smudge and brushwork, i dont know what it's like in GIMP so correct me :o

 

 

 

The bg is rather cool and try and add some c4d's then lower the opacity on them a bit

 

 

 

Nice one keep it up

[z0diark]

Thank you both very much. I don't know what I'd do without you :D

 

 

 

And thank you chaz, you're right about the smudge and brushwork but I've currently only had GIMP for two days so I'm still getting to grips with it :P

 

 

 

I actually hadnt considered messing with the opacity of the c4ds, I'll go and experiment :)