Need help composing image

[Cecillia 652]

I've been trying to design a front cover for my game Cecillia - Cruel Miracle but I lack the imagination in art to do so. I've also been noticing this in my pictures; they all seem bland/boring and I feel like I'm just drawing the same thing always (profiles/angled shots). I can only draw cloud backgrounds and i'm not sure if it's becoming redundant. I can't really do backgrounds because I lack the skill to and my backgrounds just turn out like total crap all the time and everybody knows it. I'm not really good at dynamic poses and whenever I look up pose ideas-they feel a bit awkward and I don't imagine those poses with my characters.

 

For example 

I don't think I'd want to draw my character like that. I feel like they'd look stupid. I also struggled in my art classes with the "abstract" type of themes or something because I lack that like image composition imagination. When I just draw, I do it. I don't imagine the picture. It's always free style. All experimentation and my partner has better ideas than me all the time. I just draw the same thing over and over again.

 

See. All I draw is profiles now. I don't know which direction to even start for different types of pictures.

 

Back to the main topic; I need help composing an image for my game. I sort of want to feature all the MC's, but there are 7 Main Characters and I think it'd overcrowd the image so I might just reduce it to Cecillia herself, but I don't know how to create a symbolic piece relating to the story.

 

The only idea I had which I tried sketching and it was plain out weird was: Cecillia upsidedown/falling and around her neck is a red noose that is cut (to symbolize the red strings of fate) and her hair is like turning red/rose petals and looking like she committed suicide by falling and also symbolizes her amnesia since the stuff I have in mind have to do with the prologue revamp. 

 

You can share ideas for my cover (Game linked at the top) or give me methods to be able to get rid of my "Free style" habit. I hope this is enough information.

[Holder 333]

Have you tried the shape based group shot? Basically if you're wanting the entire cast in there still then you'll need some kind of structure on it.

 

From reading your idea I can imagine an exaggerated perspective pose, face being the main focus and the cast at each side faded slightly into the background of clouds. 

 

It is something you'd need to do over and over to get comfortable with though. Ideas are a good start but if you're into a set habit and routine of comfort it'll be repetitive work to get out of it. Have you just tried quick concept work, nothing final, nothing 'nice' just good old scribblin'

[Cecillia 652]

Have you tried the shape based group shot? Basically if you're wanting the entire cast in there still then you'll need some kind of structure on it.

 

From reading your idea I can imagine an exaggerated perspective pose, face being the main focus and the cast at each side faded slightly into the background of clouds. 

 

It is something you'd need to do over and over to get comfortable with though. Ideas are a good start but if you're into a set habit and routine of comfort it'll be repetitive work to get out of it. Have you just tried quick concept work, nothing final, nothing 'nice' just good old scribblin'

I should try scribbling more often, but when I doodle I always get out of hand then it goes into some really really messy picture that I don't like.

[Holder 333]

If that happens then you're thinking about it too much or trying to hard.

It might sound daft but try doing the initial sketches when you're most awake, quickly move onto the next one and so on. Come back to them later on, and that's when you take a closer look, flip them horizontally for balance issues - basically the time to do the boring routine things that you know drones on.  

Getting ideas flowing is what you need to do when you're awake, when you can think the most. There's no doubting you can draw, so you don't need to do that then and there, save that for later when you're in routine mode (ie line art, colouring, cleaning up, basically the parts that don't need thinking about).

 

Would you like me to draw up some of those blank group shot examples tomorrow?

Edited October 30, 2013 by Holder

[Cecillia 652]

If that happens then you're thinking about it too much or trying to hard.

It might sound daft but try doing the initial sketches when you're most awake, quickly move onto the next one and so on. Come back to them later on, and that's when you take a closer look, flip them horizontally for balance issues - basically the time to do the boring routine things that you know drones on.  

Getting ideas flowing is what you need to do when you're awake, when you can think the most. There's no doubting you can draw, so you don't need to do that then and there, save that for later when you're in routine mode (ie line art, colouring, cleaning up, basically the parts that don't need thinking about).

 

Would you like me to draw up some of those blank group shot examples tomorrow?

That'd be lovely. I'll try sketching some stuff out and not try hard or think too hard.

 

Thank you so much Holder!

[Tsarmina 2,612]

You know, your red noose idea actually gave me a strange idea myself ^-^

I was thinking that you do a lot of profile poses, yeah, and that of course the best way to suggest movement is a 3/4. Now, what I'm talking about it not...exactly...a 3/4...=.="

I was thinking you could do a shot of Cecillia wrapped sort of in a web of bandages, those really long string ace-type ones, basically fallen in a web. You can wrap some red-stained bandages around her head to represent the red strings of fate and/or bleeding mind, sort of as if her memories have bled out (amnesia). 

You can have Cecillia with that typical "fearful" face or you could even close her eyes and have her look like she's in a dark dream...

I don't know how much sense this makes, so I attached a pic I did for one of my books. Just basically a pose similar to this, just with the long tangles of bandage wrapped around her legs, arms, pretty much anything (not like a mummy but just to make her look "tied." (Warning large image! ^^")

 

 

 

Just a thought~ Good luck! In my opinion, it doesn't matter what you draw, it'll turn out lovely! ^-^

[Cecillia 652]

I tried out your idea Tsarmina on paper and it turned into a mess It's so cluttered and stuff because instead of the red strings/bandages I did rose thorns.

[charlesthehurst 691]

Would something like this maybe work?  It's just a mock up idea.

 

 

[Cecillia 652]

Er Charles; I want to stay away from profile images (it said in the OP i do it too much) hehe and make the image way more symbolic than that.

[Tsarmina 2,612]

Eeee, I'm not l'insomnie O_o unless you weren't talking to me of course.

I suppose tackling an idea with lots of strings and bandages and thorns is not the best idea, then. :\ Did you try and start out basic first? Just with her lying there (like in my prologue cover)? Maybe thorns are a little cluttering...

It's late and I'm tossing out silly ideas left and right:

If you want a group shot, try making a painting of a painting XD have Cecillia on one side with a brush and pallet, and you can make her head bandaged or something if you want to represent the amnesia. Keep it 3/4, and have the brush poised then on the "canvas" behind her draw out rather messy representations of your other characters (or you can blur them) and the canvas paints can be dripping...(so tired~)

Um. Roses. Well...uh...

You don't have to do a super-motion sort of thing. Have a close-up of her face and partially her torso lying half on her side, with her hair spilling over, and cover her from collarbone down with a shower of rose petals that spill everywhere, and some of the ones on the ground are splotches of blood...I actually have a cover of that one too XD but I'll have to link it tomorrow, I don't have my computer handy right now.

Brainstorming...*lightning*

[Cecillia 652]

Eeee, I'm not l'insomnie O_o unless you weren't talking to me of course.

I suppose tackling an idea with lots of strings and bandages and thorns is not the best idea, then. :\ Did you try and start out basic first? Just with her lying there (like in my prologue cover)? Maybe thorns are a little cluttering...

It's late and I'm tossing out silly ideas left and right:

If you want a group shot, try making a painting of a painting XD have Cecillia on one side with a brush and pallet, and you can make her head bandaged or something if you want to represent the amnesia. Keep it 3/4, and have the brush poised then on the "canvas" behind her draw out rather messy representations of your other characters (or you can blur them) and the canvas paints can be dripping...(so tired~)

Um. Roses. Well...uh...

You don't have to do a super-motion sort of thing. Have a close-up of her face and partially her torso lying half on her side, with her hair spilling over, and cover her from collarbone down with a shower of rose petals that spill everywhere, and some of the ones on the ground are splotches of blood...I actually have a cover of that one too XD but I'll have to link it tomorrow, I don't have my computer handy right now.

Brainstorming...*lightning*

OMG SORRY. I'm half-awake! I pretty much just woke up so Idk why that name came to mind. T________T Forgive me.

 

I'll try some of those stuff out on paper and I'll see how it goes. Thank you very much for your ideas @_@ I can see them in my head.

[l'insomnie 42]

Well, since your game is episodic-like game, Cici... why not draw the main characters that have a huge impact of that certain episode--i did that with mine.

 

This is just a random story, by the way.

Example:

Episode One: Robot With A Heart!

Summary: Cici stumbles upon a abandon laboratory where she meets a robot-like-human, who claims to have his own heart!

Characters Involved: Cici, Arch <-- I don't know where I thought about these names, lol

 

Cover Image: (sorry i would draw it but i really don't feel like it today)

Cici looking at Arch--Arch as some tube sticking out all over his back and head (Of course Arch is half-naked). Cici looking curious as she touched Arch's chest where the heart is located and it is glowing while Arch is looking down at Cici--smiling and had his hand on top of her where she is touching his "heart".

 

Just my opinion anyway Cici...

But if you really want to have an idea why not make like Cecillia and the Main Character--whoever is the main character in that episode be in a sleeping position (69 position -- no not the dirty position) have there heads leveled as Cecillia sleep while the guy--looking a bit pained in the eyes watched her as she sleeps or kiss her forhead.

[charlesthehurst 691]

Er Charles; I want to stay away from profile images (it said in the OP i do it too much) hehe and make the image way more symbolic than that.

I see.

Another idea!

Cecillia's literally falling downwards (jumping off the cliff of sanity lol).  Attached to her are thin red strings, some of them snapping.  On her back are some bloody feathers (that one pic of her with the wings comes to mind...)  and maybe above her are those rose petals.  On of her arms is reaching upwards.

[Cecillia 652]

Thank you guys for the ideas. They are very inspiring and I'll see where this goes  Although I already made a picture the ying-yang style you're referring to L'insomnie xD Love the idea though

[l'insomnie 42]

No problem! Glad we could help you. :3

*cough* looking forward to see it *cough*

 

Also instead of clouds, why not make it like rippled water for the backround with a lone rose pletal or something to give a bit of drama to it or with the moon's reflection on the water?

[Cecillia 652]

No problem! Glad we could help you. :3

*cough* looking forward to see it *cough*

 

Also instead of clouds, why not make it like rippled water for the backround with a lone rose pletal or something to give a bit of drama to it or with the moon's reflection on the water?

That sounds very beautiful *Q* but my game is a very dark/gothic game so I might go with some bloody type of environment.

[When Bugs Roam Ur House 656]

Ugh, I know what you mean.

I really feel like my compositions are so boring and generic and stuff, especially compared to places like DA.

Sometimes I look at all the amazing art and it not only inspires me, but also makes me feel like my work isn't that great. (._. "XD) It's a lot of pressure and stress to think, being an artist looks like that, and I have to look like that if my art really is "amazing" or "really impressive".

 

But you know what?

 

Don't even worry about it. You have lots of time, and I mean, you draw (and drew) because it's fun; not to be the best, or live up to some artistic standard, or impress anyone.

 

Besides, some of the people on DA took art programs, or art classes. Some are older than you. And some have to be creative, interesting, colourful-- whatever-- because they make a living off their art.

So they have to be the best they can, or follow a standard, or make pieces that are probably going to look more professional than a hobbyist's.

So they have to make something that sells-- because their life/ career future/ house depends on it.

 

 

You will always have people who won't like some of the work/ actions you do. But better off doing what you want and following what you like instead of worrying about something that you will never be able to satisfy.

 

 

 

Here is what I came up with as an idea based on what you wanted by the way. : 

http://i.imgur.com/8yFxqNy.jpg, http://i.imgur.com/6rOd2v4.jpg 

The first one is Cecillia with red ribbon; the 7 characters' faces are in the air spaces and the centre alludes to a rose. There are petals to be all around.

The second one is Cecillia crouched with a stainglass-style background of the 7 characters. Petals on the ground.

Edited October 30, 2013 by When Bugs Roam Ur House

[orathan 22]

Covers aren't always composed of images of people. Why don't you try to make something symbolic?

 

Let's make the 1st book of Twilight an example: White hand holding an apple.

This means that you're into something forbidden like the story of Adam and Eve where they ate the apple. The hand is... the vampire's hand

[Cecillia 652]

@orathan I kinda wanna draw my people though hehe.

 

@When The Bug Roams Your House OMG THOSE ARE PERFECT. You don't mind if I compose them into my versions right? Because those are exactly what i'm looking for.

[When Bugs Roam Ur House 656]

Really? XD awesome.

 

And sure, pick whichever idea you want. Or both. (Lol)

Which one are you learning more towards?

[Tsarmina 2,612]

Hey Cici, now that I'm back online...^-^

Just quickly attached the pic I was talking about in my earlier post, the model one with the close-up. Sorry I only have it in black and white :\

 

 

 

Meh, so grainy. But you get the idea.

Edited October 30, 2013 by Tsarmina

[Cecillia 652]

Really? XD awesome.

 

And sure, pick whichever idea you want. Or both. (Lol)

Which one are you learning more towards?

I was gonna choose both hehe and I was thinking the first one with the stuff arond her neck.

[Holder 333]

I should have checked this earlier  I put what I thought into a picture, excuse the simplicity of it, I wasn't sure how many other characters are involved and such. 

[Cecillia 652]

I should have checked this earlier  I put what I thought into a picture, excuse the simplicity of it, I wasn't sure how many other characters are involved and such. 

There's about 8 characters involved, but I think that one would work for promotional art! I love the idea too @_@ I should really try that angle!