BTS : Avatar Creations

reply to post by davespanners


I spent 3 frikken hours making my research banner. I have no graphic skills, but I did it, and for now, I'm keeping my research link. Besides, her eyes are mesmerizing.

Originally posted by kinglizard
My version of the sig advertisements:

edit on 2/16/2013 by kinglizard because: (no reason given)

Too aesthetic and plain. People want pics, and themes that relate. It has to be catchy, and diversified. Once you follow a pattern, well, it becomes mundane. Not saying they wouldn't look nice linked together, because they would, but you would have to be running the same theme with your avatar.

I'm not, so don't listen to me.

That's cool. Personally I like consistency specially when there is a series of images representing the same thing....guess everyone isn't the same.

EDIT: IMO people tend to take one second to look at an image and decide to click it. If the three images are not straight and to to point it will be passed-over.

reply to post by kinglizard


Diversification is what makes every human unique, and if everyone was the same, well, there would be no individuality, and one avatar would work for everyone.

Not saying the banners are bad, just not for me. If I was less a Druid, I'd incorporate them into a theme. I can see them working in nicely with a gender neutral composition.

reply to post by kinglizard


The same argument could be made for "flashiness". If it's sparkly and shiny, people will be interested in clicking on it. Call it "ooh shiny" disorder, but it works in both the realms of online activity and real life.

Not to split hairs, I am REALLY appreciative of my new Avatar. You do realize it is almost 3-D. The foreground springs out, and then you continue to perceive the background. Your eyes are busy while you absorb the rest of the visual elements. It's truly wonderful.

reply to post by Druid42


From the artists eye, your avatar is like following a line. The wolf at the bottom draws attention to your mini-sig line, and flows up the information, at the apex where the brightness is. At the top it flows back to the right from your name and titles, where the howling wolf draws attention back to your text. At least that's how I see it.

I do like KL's take on the mini-sig line, they would be great for someone non-denominational, like a Mod. If you look at his current av though, it does exactly the same line as yours. That to me is the eye of an artist.

My own are busy and over the top, but I live in colour, and am still in love with the whole idea of living in my own paradise, which is colourful, green and vibrant. Hence, my avatars and work reflects this.

I find yours are business-like. Straight to the point, they get the message across with as little advertising as possible. "You there! Look here!' along with a smack in the head.

But this is an amazing melting pot of talent. Everyone has their own style, which is good, because not everyone that passes through here has the same tastes. That's why it doesn't bother much which avatar or sig people choose, because they might be more like you, like KL or (god forbid... ) more like me.

Oh hey bud no worries, when it comes to art ans philosophy we are all different. Me being anal in image design my guide my thinking, but I have taken no offence to what you have written. In fact I appreciate true and honest feedback.

Originally posted by 74Templar
reply to post by Druid42

 

From the artists eye, your avatar is like following a line. The wolf at the bottom draws attention to your mini-sig line, and flows up the information, at the apex where the brightness is. At the top it flows back to the right from your name and titles, where the howling wolf draws attention back to your text. At least that's how I see it.

You are the first person to accurately describe my theory on avatars. I try to guide the eye like water. You will never see me create an image where a face faces away from the text. My goal is to fluidly bring the eye from the bottom/middle of the image naturally ending to something that ultimately guides the eye to the body of the text in the post.

You know your art.

reply to post by kinglizard


lol, I reckon I could paint before I could walk... I was the kid that tore out other kid's pages for drawing stick figures....

Your eagle is the same. The wing leads the eye to your sig line, which is important to you and something you want people to see and share. In the opposite direction, it leads you to the eye and the beak, both very bold, and of course the flag which all flow in the same direction, back to what you are writing.

I would suspect that as a person you are very straight up and no-nonsense, but have a kind of 'proud' bearing that others look up to.

OK, enough Dr. Phil, let's get back to the art.

Example of sig images in use:



Full image:

files.abovetopsecret.com...

reply to post by 74Templar


So nice of you to say brother. I always gravitated to art. My high school actually bought from me a painting I created to hang in the administration building that headed all schools in my state. I started drawing and taking classes when I was 5 years old....interested in painting, sculpture...etc. It's a great outlet.

Originally posted by 74Templar
reply to post by kinglizard

 

Your eagle is the same. The wing leads the eye to your sig line, which is important to you and something you want people to see and share. In the opposite direction, it leads you to the eye and the beak, both very bold, and of course the flag which all flow in the same direction, back to what you are writing.

Guiding the eye imo is the most important structure in art. The person viewing may not realize it but you are in complete control of their eye movement and where it leads the viewer.

reply to post by kinglizard


The number one problem I discovered working with avatars is working around all the text lines. It makes it a real challenge to form those lines into a continuous run and not have them obscured by the text at the top or in the middle. Sometimes it's nigh on impossible to get it 100% correct.

My personal favourite is 3D painting. Miniatures, sculptures, its a real challenge to paint something three dimensional. I've done in the realm of 2500-3000 miniatures, from Warhammer to civil war and WW2 figures for tabletop battles. At the moment I've just had a 1.5m high pagoda and a buddha delivered for the tropical asian garden I'm putting together. Completely hand and airbrush painting them to match the asian theme and colours of the garden at the moment. It's that kind of stuff is just zen for me.

Originally posted by 74Templar
reply to post by kinglizard

 

The number one problem I discovered working with avatars is working around all the text lines. It makes it a real challenge to form those lines into a continuous run and not have them obscured by the text at the top or in the middle. Sometimes it's nigh on impossible to get it 100% correct.

My secret to perfect alignment with text and space is removing avatars/backgrounds and making the profile space black. Then I take a screenshot and crop to the dimensions. This way if using Photoshop you are able to make it the first layer and choosing 'screen' layer style which makes all the black clear leaving the profile text. This makes everything under the profile visible for perfect alignment. It can be different dimensions depending on the members text, tags...expert..archivist.....etc.

Here is what I use...I removed my expert tag for the example.

reply to post by kinglizard


Funny I do exactly the same lol. I said that to another member a while back about the simplest ideas.

Well the house is filling up with people as usual for a Saturday night, so I guess it's time to be grillmaster.

Night all.

reply to post by Druid42




If you aren't fond of the "Fight Club" moniker that has been used, I have the .psd open and can remove it for you.

reply to post by 74Templar


Man....what is it about an Aussie bbq that sounds so darned good!?!?

I am committing to only work till 2pm (local time, of course) today. No matter what it is i am doing, at 2pm i am packing up and heading home.

(but perhaps i will plug in and do some work from home tonight)

reply to post by bigfatfurrytexan


Dang, that's just right. Contrasting and crisp. Blends in well.

Ok, might as well do the Research one too.....let me dig up the original photo.

Keep the eyes please. Use that image or one of your choosing, but it's something about the peering eyes that must stay.

reply to post by Druid42


Ill work on it after i build the hog blinds this afternoon. The weather has been perfect for hog hunting....and i have been stuck at a desk. Time to rectify that!

The image you use is a great image. I will see if i can do anything that would do it justice.

Originally posted by 74Templar

Originally posted by davespanners

I do like that one.

Would you mind if I borrowed it after the global warming research project has finished?

I'll take good care of it.

edit on 16/2/2013 by 74Templar because: (no reason given)

Of course.
The more people linking to that forum the merrier