New comic preview / art critique

Snackbot · Post by **Snackbot** » Mon Jun 26, 2006 9:20 pm

So, I've been agonizing over this for a few days, and I can't decide what I think about the background, the color, anything... I'm planning on using it or something derived from it as the cover / intro page to a new comic that I've been kicking around in my head. I'd just like to get some feedback as to what people who HAVEN'T been staring at it for half a week think.

Part of me wants to make the background blurry, but I feel that would be a cop out considering the amount of work I put into it. Thoughts?

Warofwinds · Post by **Warofwinds** » Mon Jun 26, 2006 9:45 pm

I love the style, I love the background. I don't like how the line art of the character conflicts with that though, and how his blue bag does not seem to wrap around his chest. I would suggest keeping the character in the same style as the bg and removing the outline. Even with it that thin, it still conflicts. Starker shading on the pants would also be nice. Absolutely love that city bg though. Is that from scratch? wow.

Snackbot · Post by **Snackbot** » Mon Jun 26, 2006 10:05 pm

Thanks for the input!

It's interesting that you pointed out all of that stuff with the figure... I thought the outline and change of style would make him pop off of the more undefined background in a GOOD way, as he's really the focus of the entire page, but if this isn't the case I'll fiddle around and see what looks best.

I used a photo as reference, but had to shift the perspective a lot to get it the way I wanted it for this scene. It's been a battle between the background and walking guy as for which is more important, and I definitely spent more time with the city.

I'm also open to comments as to how to make that bag look like it's carrying weight on his shoulders. I tried to show it with the pose, but the problem may be with the bag itself.

834n · Post by **834n** » Mon Jun 26, 2006 10:11 pm

Not too good with poses myself, so can't help you with the bag thing.

In addition to toying around with the lines like Warofwinds said, maybe try some different/ more shading on the character's left side. As the buildings (which look great!) and the shadow of the character are pretty dark, but the character himself seems almost like the light is coming from the front. Which conflicts with the shadow.

Nice piece though. Good walking pose and most coolio of a city.

Linkara · Post by **Linkara** » Mon Jun 26, 2006 10:38 pm

I actually love the contrast of the central figure from his background, gives it a kind of artsy feel that the character doesn't really work with the world around him or is just different from everything else.

RemusShepherd · Post by **RemusShepherd** » Tue Jun 27, 2006 5:38 am

I love it. One thing seemed to pop out to my eye, though -- the cars seemed tilted, as if the ground was leaning toward the center of the image.

But honestly, this is better work than 99% of all webcomics. It looks terrific.

Snackbot · Post by **Snackbot** » Tue Jun 27, 2006 4:27 pm

Wow, positive feedback is awesome!

All the things you've all pointed out are definitely clearer now. I'll tweak it a bit more before I'm done.

Hopefully I'll get this finalized and then a few of the first pages done, then I can kickstart this thing and rock hardcore.

Thanks, guys!

EvilChihuahua · Post by **EvilChihuahua** » Tue Jun 27, 2006 4:33 pm

A fine peice of work. I agree with you over the outlines for the character, they really do make him pop out from the background.
I would recommend blurring the backgrounds at least slightly, though. Especially in a big city, smog would make the rearmost building a little blurry.

Heaposheep · Post by **Heaposheep** » Sat Jul 01, 2006 7:19 pm

This is awesome... reminds me of the Linklater rotoscoped style (Waking Life, some commercials, etc.). Maybe accentuate the difference between the character and the bg somehow... one thought I had was to darken the bg and leave the character vibrant as it is.

just $.02 from someone who doesn't use color *or* backgrounds.