Beginning Photoshop Work

[VP :3]

Hey artists! I've just been starting to work with Photoshop right now. I'm learning the ropes of it, and I want to continue to get better. Any feedback would be appreciated, I'd like criticism!

 

[Dankfrank]

Very nice for beginner work. Almost everyone has trouble with this but, text text text.
Dont just throw up whatever text. Make it work, search for new ones, make sure it'll belend well.

Also, try looking for some tuts on blending all the aspects of the sig. Like, your work with the characters is good but they look like there just sitting on top of that background.

But like I said before, amazing work for a beginner.

 

[Shiznoe]

Yah what dank said you need to have the right text for the signature. Now unfortunetly I have downloaded so much text into my photoshop that it takes me an hour to find the right text for the signature but yah do that.

 

[Dankfrank]

Yah what dank said you need to have the right text for the signature. Now unfortunetly I have downloaded so much text into my photoshop that it takes me an hour to find the right text for the signature but yah do that.

And thats how it should be. Text can make or break the sig.
I could make an awesome CSS sig, deck it out in cool stuff. But i throw my tag on there in comic sans? Ruined

 

[StealthGus]

What they said^

 

[VP :3]

What can I do to make it blend better then?

 

[TomsSound]

Hey artists! I've just been starting to work with Photoshop right now. I'm learning the ropes of it, and I want to continue to get better. Any feedback would be appreciated, I'd like criticism!

Hey VP... glad to see you're trying to learn.
Photoshop is a great tool.. and can be a lot of fun.
Some things to keep in mind..
Almost a like a check list of activities to learn.

1. Fonts
Check out the plethora of available fonts on the web. Good place to start is dafont.com
Learn how to install them. Don't forget to close photoshop. Install..font.. then re-open photoshop for it to be accessible.

2. Signature Size
Try not to make a signature any larger than 500px Width and 200px Height.
I always start off with a transparent background and add layers. It makes for a more flexible work environment. 300dpi.. is what I usually work with. But when you save it for the web.. it will drop it down to about 72dpi. (Always work with a decent resolution.. makes for sharper looking pics.)
3. Signature shape .. Transparent.. Rounded edges... Rectangular... decisions decisions... or go crazy and create something different..

4. Custom Shapes ...
To start off with.. do a search for Photoshop custom shapes. Learn how to install them and access them. There are a ton available. (Don't forget to lock the aspect ratio) Hold shift.
Later after many hours of using other people's shapes.. learn how to make your own


5. Brushes and Techniques. Again.. you can find a ton of downloadable brushes. Don't be content with the stock brushes. Learn how to install them.. and use them. Then learn how to make your own brushes.
The thing about brushes is they are seldom as sharp as a shape.. so try to learn when to use a brush .. and when to use a shape.

6. Blending Options... blending options make things easy..
I've been doing this so long.. I remember when Blending options weren't in Photoshop.. lol.
Almost an infinite amount of possibilites with both Text and other layer objects.
Learn it.. you will use it alot.

7. Color Contrast and Brightness
Make sure you understand the basics of how to adjust layers.. color.. contrast and brightness. Remember to take a hard look at what you're trying to convey. Can it be seen?. Do you want it to be seen.. is there enough contrast.. between your text and background.. or do you want it to blend in with the background.

8. Filters... Have fun.. enjoy playing with all of these.. Experiment.

9. Aspect ratio... One thing many new artists forget to pay attention to is.. the aspect ratio of the picture. Nothing more annoying than looking at a logo that is all stretched out.. By stretching it screams .. Noob.
This is probably my biggest pet peeve....
Learn how to lock your aspect ratio... (Shift... is the quick way) You can also use the little chain icon when you are "transforming" a layer

10... Learn the "Rule of Thirds"..
You don't need to use it everytime.. however on most signatures.. it really helps.

11.. Layers.... this is basic.. bread and butter stuff you need to know.


12.. Have fun trying new things.
The best way to learn is to just go for it. If you see something you like.. try to mimic it.... just to see if you can.



This is just a general basics list... Learn these things and you will be well on your way to making some amazing signatures and other art.

 

[Storm]

One of the laziest yet effective ways I can think of to help text pop is putting a slightly smaller text and offsetting it on the original. Or stroke a one pixel path around it. Or mess with the drop shadow and glow effects. And I'd definitely pick up some more fonts. I'm sure someone else has said this, but go to dafont.com for them, they've got a good selection.

 

[killerducky]

you can do way better than me im more of a pastel and pencil person.