hey there, welcome to TDA!
in regards to programs, i use photoshop cs and love it
i'd recommend that, plus alot of people use it too, so you can find help quite easily
a list of artists who are willing to help with various programs can be found +here
here's some other links for you to look at:
Tutorials for Beginning Artists
Tutorial Central
Promotions 101
Optimizing Your Gallery for Promotions
Critique Corner
The Potions Cupboard

Hey! You have a great start to your Gallery so far!

Just a few helpful tips: (I hope)

1. Image quality. When using images in your graphics, always try to find high quality images. You will be amazed at how much better they look than low quality ones!

2. Try not to put textures over people faces, it makes them look weird and distorted. Try using an eraser over the face to rub out the texture or sumdge, over the face if you like the colouring!

3. Try not to make such a hard cut around people. Try using the sumdge tool to make the cuts a bit softer, or look at the tutorials to see other ways your program has to offer for blending.

4. Try getting some better fonts from dafont.com, and try using your colour picker tool to get a colour from your graphic, for your font, so it suits more!

5. Go snooping around in the Junior+ Gallery's. Try and imitate something they've made. That's what helped me improve!


Hope I didn't sound to harsh, but on a good note, I really like your 'Our Story' banner, very original and pretty.

And your last icon. The bright yellow really makes it pop!


Will be watching this fab Gallery, to see more graphics!


Sarah

P.S

I use GIMP, I would recommend it definitely, unfortunetly though, there aren't many tutorials regarding GIMP so maybe not.

Thank you! Luna! Your advice wasnt mean at all. And I have downloaed Gimp and cant wait to try it out!

You've got a good start to your gallery I love your 'mione' and 'stepping stones' banners and your 'wanted' chapter image is great! You've got pretty good composition in most of your stuff, but be careful with cutting off chins, it's usually not a very good look

- image quality is really dragging your gallery down so try checking out this forum for some helpful tips; it really helped me when I got started, but in the end it's all down to practice and fiddling/experimenting around in your program oh, and stalking the seriously talented people here at TDA is always inspirational <3 check out stealingETERNITY's stuff. The stuff she makes on GIMP is amazing.

I hope I wasn't harsh or anything, that wasn't really my intention >_< I'd love to see where you go with all this

-Mandy

Hiya!
I really like this!
Its Kingdom Hearts <3 and really good icon cuts

I think the thing you need to work on is text, and image quality.
Oh, and textures over faces= no.
But you are pretty good, nice gallery, keep it up

Hey there! You have some really great stuff in your gallery! Your strong points are def your banners and signatures. Unfortunately your image quality is dragging you down. I noticed you save your images as jpegs. I've never used gimp before, but I know on some programs you can increase the quality you save your image as when you are saving as a jpeg. It increases your file size a little but it certainly makes a difference. I hope that helps. <3 I can't wait to see more from you!

Thank you so much guys. I really appreciate the advice.

i really like ur dangerous banner, the colour and quality is great and loving the wings on ur avril blend tis awsome

Hi Kortney! I'm here with your requested gallery critique!

First, I really love a lot of your pieces! They're very pretty and very colorful! The two big things I notice that you need to work on are image quality and placement. Some of your faces are a bit blurry, such as on your Forgive banner. You also need to watch the chins--on a few of your pieces, the chin is dangerously close to the bottom border--you don't want the face to look cut off, so just lift them up a bit. One way of helping to correct these 2 problems is a simple resize. Make it a little smaller then go over with the sharpen tool where needed and sharpen up targeted areas. I tend to go around the jawline a bit, just to keep it crisp. My only other main thing would be to take a lighter hand on the coloring. As much as I love bold, saturated colors, I've had to learn that sometimes taking a milder approach can still give you good color, but without overwhelming the graphic or making it too muddy, such as you 12 chapter image. The coloring on that one is way too heavy, but it's also uneven, where the girl is quite red and the guy is very green. If you can balance that out, and lighten up on the amount of color you use, it'll be a nice graphic.

I'd recommend looking at some tutorials on coloring, just to give you a few ideas and a chance to practice a bit more.

So far, a nice gallery! Keep up the good work!

hey I'm here for your gallery critique.

icons
I like the compositions of these two icons. My only critique here would be the coloring. I do like the shade of color you picked however, it's a tad lackluster. The coloring seems to take away from the image quality of the overall graphic. I think sharpening and adding a brightness layer would help here.

banners
Oh I really like [this]. The coloring is very nice and doesn't affect the image quality of the graphic. The coloring on [this] is also very nice. One big thing I'm noticing is skin tones. Try to match them if you're going to put a couple on the banner and try to make the skin tones realistic. I also think that these could use a bit of contrast. I know you said placement is an issue, but I'm not really seeing it. Watch out for cut off chins but other than that I like where you're placing everything. I really like the text color you have, however, I would play around with different fonts. Oh and watch out for image quality.

signatures
I like these. I really love the soft coloring on [this]. Just watch out for the graphic becoming too dark. Maybe add a brightness layer (or screen layer) to help that. Again try to play around with different fonts and watch out for image quality.

chapter images
I really like these a lot. I think [this] is really nice. I basically have the same critique going on here too. Watch out for image quality and play with the font.

blends
I like both of them. I also like the coloring, just watch out for making the skin tones look realistic. Also on the first one I think I would add a bit more contrast.

overall
Definitively don't delete your gallery. What you have is great. You have the structure of everything down pat. Now you just need to work on refining everything. I really like your bases (especially in your banners). Just watch out for image quality, the darkness of your banner, and the font you're using. I think the critique corner would be extremely helpful for you. I'm looking forward to seeing more graphics from you.

Your stuff is really pretty.

You're it! lol

So you have a great gallery

You have a really good handle on icons (i am totally jealous)

Your banners are good as well (just keep an eye on your skin tone)

I am totally in love with your first sig!

Keep an eye on your scripty fonts... in this case less is more. Dafont.com can be helpful for this.

I can't wait to see what you come up with next
Good Job!

Hi! *waves*

Loving the Emily Browning icons. Actually both sets are good! Also liking the banners, and I LOVE the 'Winter' sig and the final blend. Maybe try experimenting with colouring and things to see what comes out (not that I am particularly good at following my own advice!). When I used GIMP I loved the gradient map tool, and playing with the filters, modes and opacity always yielded some interesting (not always good!) results.

Keep up the good work, I hope to see more of your work when I come back

Hey there, Kortney! I’m here with your requested critique! Okay, so, let’s begin!

Icons: I love the variety of these! I think you’ve got the right idea in terms of placement; you’ve tried a bunch of different positions which is very nice to see! I really like your Emily Browning icons. I think the biggest thing that you could work on with your icons is image quality. A lot of the images do not have the best clarity and are a bit grainy. I think that if you choose images with a higher resolution, you’ll find that they’re easier to work with and easier to color.

Banners: Again, I really like your variety! I think you’re doing really well with composition and placement. This one is very well put together and I think it’s very well blended! Again, I would advise watching out for image quality as some of your banners are a bit grainy. Also, I would work on making sure you get the right amount of contrast. There are some examples where your banners are over-contrasted (this) and some where they don’t have enough contrast (this). Just keep practicing with the levels. Also, make sure that your text isn’t too big and doesn’t fade into the background of your banner. Text is a funny thing because it needs to stand out enough to be visible but also has to match the coloring of the graphic. So just keep practicing with your coloring and text with these! You’re doing very well so far!

Sigs: Your composition is really nice! I really like your second sig! The coloring is very nice and so is the blending. With sigs, I think that image quality, text and contrast are the biggest things that you could improve on. On your first sig, I’m not personally really fond of the font but I think the placement is good as well as the size. Also, the coloring is a bit off around the girl on the right. There are greenish areas around her that don’t really go well with the graphic. Again, I really like your second sig; just watch for image clarity. Your last sig is very well blended and composed but I think it may be over-contrasted and the text doesn’t really stand out enough. Overall, I think you’ve done very well with these! Just keep practicing your blending and text matching.

Chapter images: Your chapter images are very well put together! I really like the composition and coloring of the first one! And the image quality of the girl in the first image is very nice! I think that you’ve done a very good job with these and I would just continue working on blending, coloring and text!

Blends: Oh all of these are so nice! I adore the first one and the second blend is very original! Your coloring in all of these (including the graphic in the ‘other’ section) is gorgeous! Just continue working on your contrast levels and making sure that you match skin tones (in the second blend, the coloring of the largest image of Kristen in the wing on the right is gorgeously contrasted while the image directly to the left is a lot brighter and a bit yellow).

You have a very nice gallery and I think you’re doing wonderfully so far! Just keep practicing and I know that you’ll improve in no time! I hope I was helpful and not too harsh! Keep up the great work!

Jazz

Hey Kortney
I'm going to critique your gallery, as you reqested in the "Promotion Critique" thread a while ago.

One thing that's really great about your gallery is that you have a variety of everything. Your bannes are my favorite, mostly because they flow so well together and the backgrounds look awesome. Your gallery looks good, but I think what's holding you back is an extra umph and "wow" factor in your graphics. You obviously know the basics -- blending, text, and coloring -- but there isn't really a consistent style.

Styles are usually brought out through the usage of blending or coloring, or both. If you find a way that you love to blend, then stick to it, and the same way for coloring.

Try not to oversharpen. I've noticed it in your icons especially. I did that a lot when I was a Member and Junior, because I'd look at my graphics and think how blurry they look. What I do now, before even starting the graphic, is fix up the pictures before I use it. I'll paste them onto my canvas and then smooth out the skin (I use the blurring brush on a very low opacity) and I add contrast (using levels or the brightness/contrast tool) and sometimes I'll add a coloring layer to them. It really helps the overall graphic and gives it a sort of professional, smooth look. It's alot of work, sometimes, but it really gives some graphics a whole new look.

I like your text and font choice in the first three banners a lot. They really fit in well with the graphic's mood and they just look good! The bottom three banners, the text looks a little choppy, but that's really common in Members and Juniors. It's a phase that many grow out of pretty fast (which you're growing out of, as I can see in your newest banners), so no worries there.

Overall, I think you're getting close to a promotion, but I think you need an extra boost in your graphics. And try not to oversharpen!

-randee<3

<sub>hiya! i'm karly and here with your requested critique.

icons-

first set- i like the colouring on most, but suggest after getting the cuts simply put them all on a canvas and applying the colouring to all of the icons. the cuts are good on most, but isn't too good on the 1st, 2nd, 6th, 8th, and 10th. on the 15th one, the image quality is really low. on the last, the texture over her is bringing the quality of the icon down.

second set- i love these! i only really have two suggestions. on the GRR one, maybe use a different colour for text. and on the one directly below, the heart was drawn a little uneven. i think all forms of ps have custom shapes, and i know for sure that cs3 has a heart. if your program does, then i would suggest using that. i really like the BALL! one next to it, and the one next to that. the ball one is my favorite of the setm by far.

third set- hmm, not many suggestions other than moving emily up on the first one and down on the second. also on the second, maybe add a little red to it.

banners-

first- ooh i like! maybe move the main text down, otherwise it's great!

second- the blending on these could be improved, maybe use an eraser and zoom into it? also i would try darkening the text.

third- i would try moving the text closer to the girl and lightening it up a little. otherwise it's cute.

fourth- the image quality on alexis is a little low, and i would suggest moving the text closer to her.

fifth- the image quality of the left images is a little low, but otherwise i like it. ^)^

sixth- i think you spelled the main text wrong. i think it should be 'trapped', not 'trapt'. i would suggest choosing a different font for it, but otherwise i like it.

seventh- oooh cute! maybe make the text a little smaller and move it down just a tad. otherwise i love it.

eighth- the image quality is low again. /: i don't think it can really be improved, so i would suggest trashing it...sorry. ):

signatures-

i'm just going to do these together. the text on the first is a little too sharp and i can't read it. also, the image quality is low again. the quality is low on the second one too, but i like the text.

chapter images-

first- i can't read the text, otherwise i like it!

second- something, i dunno what, is on the top of both girls' hair. i would take that off and move the left girl up. also, on the text, i would try it in times new roman or trajan pro, size 10-12, with a little tracking(maybe 200?).

blends-

first- i limke the concept on this! kristen's a little too yellow, though, and it's hard to see her hair. if you could make her hair visible and lower the yellows it would be absolutely stunning.

second- i would have too many suggestions for this and it looks a little old. /: i might trash this. the next time you do a blend, i would suggest something more like that kristen blend.

other-

there's something green on the left side of her face that should be removed, and something black on the guy's face that should doo. the girl in the far right corner should be removed too, since the quality is low and bringing down the quality of the graphic.

overall, i think you're almost at the JA status. you're pretty close, but still need that last spark to become that level artist.</sub>

GIMPers FTW!
Gorgeous banners, BTW

CONGRATS ON THE PROMO HUN!!!!

My god your icons are awesome.

Right sorry.. stopping staring now. AMAZING congrats on the stuff you've got. You've improved and you've gotten it and trust me your stuff is just great. Congratulations on the new shade of blue!!!!

Congraaats on your promo

Woot! Rock the new blue hun, your stuff is supermegafoxyawesomehot!

_{congrats on your promotion!! it's very deserved}

congrats on the promo!

CONGRATS ON THE PROMOTION DEAR!!!

_{Congrats on the promo! You really deserve it. You've improved so much lately, your colouring is just amazing! I hope you enjoy your new colour and being a junior.}

Congrats on your promo, hon! :3

_{Your gallery is so pretty!
I love the soft coloring of your banners.
They're so prettyful!!
I love that first chapter image too.
The coloring is phenominal!
My fave would have to be this though.
The blending and coloring on it are just so fantastic and beautiful!
I might have to take a seat and stay awhile, because your gallery is lovely.
Share your talent?}

Hey, Kortney! I’m super sorry that it’s taken me so long to get this crit to you! Let’s begin!

Icons: These are very nice! So much cuteness, too! I absolutely adore the very first icon! Actually, I adore a lot of these! You’re doing extremely well with coloring so far and I really like a lot of your compositions! I would just encourage you to keep playing around with different positions and compositions, just to give your icons a little more variation. Also, just watch out for image quality. Great job with these and I hope that you’ll add in more soon!

Banners: These are also very nice! I really do love your coloring and that first banner is absolutely gorgeous! You’re also doing very well with image cutting and blending! A few things that I think that you could work on a bit with these are composition and coloring. While your banners are very well set up and composed, a lot of the compositions are very similar. Something that I learned is that it’s good to have a few different compositions so that you have some variety; so I would just work on adding a few more banners to your gallery that don’t have the same compositions as some of your other pieces. With coloring, you’re doing a great job, but just make sure that you match the skin tones of the characters that you use on your banners. As far as a small clean out goes, I would consider getting rid of the last banner. I just think that the blending isn’t up to par with your other pieces and also the coloring of the characters doesn’t match. Amazing job on these so far!

Signatures: Oooh, I really love your coloring! That first signature is gorgeous! You’re doing very well with these so far! Just make sure that you’re using high quality images and that you’re adding enough contrast to your images so that they have a little more clarity. Also, continue to practice with varying your compositions (as both of these are a bit similar) and also with blending (there are just a few instances where the girls’ hair isn’t blended as well as it could be). Great job with these and I really do love the composition of that first one!

Chapter Images: These are gorgeous! That first chapter image is absolutely stunning! The quality and composition are amazing and I can’t even begin to tell you how much I adore the coloring! The second image is also very well composed! With these, I would just advise that you continue to make sure that you’re choosing high quality images and that you’re matching skin tones. Well done!

Blends/Other: These are both very nice! I love the compositions of both of them and your coloring is so natural and pretty! Both of the images though could use just a bit more contrast to make them stand out a little more and also make sure that the images that you’re using are high quality as the first blend looks a bit grainy. Amazing job with these!

You have improved so much since the last time I’ve visited and I really think that you’re doing an amazing job so far! Just keep practicing with compositions, blending and coloring (or rather just matching skin tones)! Great job, Kortney, and I hope that this was helpful! Let me know if you have any questions.

Jazz