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Picture Backgrounds

Discussion in 'Creative Zone' started by Kartoon, Apr 9, 2018.

  1. Kartoon

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    So, this thread can go two ways:
    1.) Answering the question do you add backgrounds to your pictures?
    2.) Do you have any advice for drawing backgrounds?

    The only reason I bring this up is because I hope to make a comic at some point and I'm having a lot of trouble coming up with backgrounds, forests specially. Does anyone have advice one how to start, how complicated you think it should be, or just any other information you think would be helpful? If so thank you so much!

    Throughout this thread feel free to help each other out with whatever advice you've got, I know personally I'll take whatever you've got (cause the backgrounds I use in my pictures are whatever's easiest)! And you can add information on complicated or simple background if you'd like, whatever is being addressed at that point! ^_^
     
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  2. awney

    awney i'm lame

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    My answer will probably be of no help at all. I never add backgrounds. I would love to eventually add backgrounds.

    I think the first step to even adding backgrounds is to just..practice? That sounds super cliche but after you get a feel for backgrounds you can start to stylize them.
     
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  3. Kartoon

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    Your response doesn't have to be helpful, this is also just a discussion thread! ^_^

    Yeah, I probably should practice a lot more, I guess I never really know how to start. I can get tree trunks down, but from there it normally goes to heck... :sweat: I try to but things like bushes and a base grass color and then it looks weird. But I should just take time and practice different techniques!
     
  4. awney

    awney i'm lame

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    maybe you could watch some tutorials or speedpaints?? Those might be good places to get inspiration from.
     
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  5. Kartoon

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    Yeah, I should try that! It would be a lot more helpful than just looking up pictures online! :D
     
  6. AeroHail

    AeroHail No dogs on the moon

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    The best looking backgrounds with my art tend to be ones that I've planned fully in the sketch phase. That may sound obvious but often I'll draw the main subject and scramble to add a background after the fact.

    For drawing backgrounds for comics you don't want to spend all your time on the backgrounds if you are looking for a semi regular release of pages/chapters. So I wouldn't go too detailed expect for establishing shots which show the reader where the characters are or will be and then I'd use simple shapes and small details in the backgrounds to imply that the characters are indeed there.

    As you work on your comic you'll get faster and more comfortable drawing the setting so your backgrounds will probably become more detailed naturally if that's what you want.

    You should take photos of things you can reference for your backgrounds. Even if it's a low quality shot it can be helpful to have a little stock of images you can look at and be like "So this is how lighting will affect the leaves/branches etc" or "this is how to naturally shape a tree" or whatever it may be (I take a lot of photos of buildings for my future comic.)
     
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  7. Kartoon

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    Ahh, thank you! This was all very helpful! I knew from the beginning that I was probably going to make a few forest scenes and then add some other details to the foreground to change it up a little so that reusing them didn't feel like such a big deal, I just wasn't sure how to start. I might also sketch a few pictures out with pencil and go from there since that always seems to work out for me!
    Also, thank you for your advice about making comics! I'm still new to it, but I'm very passionate about the whole thing so every bit if advice helps! :D
     
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  8. Dwlr

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    Instead of starting to draw your own backgrounds if your avatar is indicative of what you draw mayhaps learning how to do a simple vector overtop of existing images might be the route to go. A vector would for the most part match the art you draw and you can add pentool effects after the fact to put the final touches to make it cohesive. You get a background without having to come up with one yourself, or you at the very least could try it and see how you like it before trying to come up with completely original backgrounds.
     
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  9. luxuryluxray

    luxuryluxray make a wish!

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    I'm lazy and keep using solid colour backgrounds lol. Good on you for wanting to do backgrounds! I've tried to draw forests before, but with limited success. I find stuff like ocean or beach backgrounds easier. Getting some good reference pictures is important no matter what you're drawing though, so my suggestion is to practice from those until you're comfortable with how your drawing looks. Good luck!
     
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  10. Kartoon

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    I'm sorry, you're gonna have to explain a vector to me... :sweat:
    Yeah, like I said, I'm backgrounds are pretty simple as well. I use an app so it comes with stamps and those are my go to backgrounds. I don't personally thing that there's anything wrong with solid colored backgrounds! Sometimes, for me anyway, they seem overpowering and unlike to try to mix it up!
    I will definitely plan on using reference pictures when I start practicing, thank you for your input! ^_^
     
  11. Dwlr

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    Without being over complex with an explanation a vector image is basically what you're drawing it uses blocks of colors rather than merged colors with shading. With a vector image you can clearly define blocks of colors which allows an image to shrink or grow basically indefinitely without quality loss which is why most anime characters are made as vector images. If I have something that is Blue the entire thing is the SAME shade of blue if I decide I want to add a highlight I create a new polygon of a single lighter shade of blue and for shadows the same thing whereas the opposite a raster image would have gradual shifts in colors for shadings and highlights instead of clear cut divisions.

    Think of it like you're in elementary school art class with a pair of scissors, paper and glue and you're told to make an image, you cut out a tree shape with your basic green paper if you want to add highlights or lowlights you clearly can't modify the color of the paper with your tools but if you have a darker shade of green paper and a lighter shade of green paper you can layer that ontop of your basic green paper and create the desired effect and get highlights and lowlights using 3 layers of distinguishable colors.
     
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  12. Kartoon

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    Oooh! Yeah, I've been starting it out like that, but never get too far with if, but that's just because I hadn't been trying too hard. I'll keep at it though, thank you! :)
     
  13. Dwlr

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    Depending on how much time you're willing to put into it's useful for renders and there's a niche that prefer vector style banners, dunno how far you want to go with it, but there are branches that you can go to once you've got your proverbial feet wet in it.
     
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  14. Kartoon

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    Yeah, I probably won't get into it too much, but that is good information to know!
     
  15. Kartoon

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    Untitled483.jpg Untitled481.jpg Untitled264.jpg 540545_Untitled476.jpg
    Just because I asked about a specific background doesn't mean we have to focus on that! Like I said in the beginning, you can post about anything background related! So, to break the ice, these are mostly from me trying different techniques on my drawing app, but they also have good potential for backgrounds! Do you guys have any pictures like this? Feel free to share them! And feel free to ask about how I made these or just discuss backgrounds! :D
     
  16. Dwlr

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    Considering I do my edits on a case by case basis I don't have any prefab backgrounds. I keep a few background stocks for when people request something specific like a forest or something, but that's only for if it absolutely has to be something specific and I didn't make them. As for vector backgrounds/semi-vector backgrounds I don't tend to vector things unless I have to for some reason or another so I lack them entirely and it's not a style I use very often personally. The most I have is a pair of eyes and a set of lips that I never even finished the entire face since I decided I'd never get it to look right even if I did and thus scrapped it. Might still have them laying around somewhere, but I don't tend to keep any original work because I usually end up hating it.
     
  17. Vigilance

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    Yeah I think starting out with simple colors/shades and making simplistic backgrounds should be of help to you and then adding depth and the like depending on your background/art work.
     
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  18. Wolf Expert

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    I go with or without backgrounds depending on what I'm drawing. If it's just a character concept then I'll do without.

    As for tips, it's good to start off drawing landscapes or various backgrounds on their own just to know how to do it. When adding a character, find a way to have your character "in" the background. Sitting on a tree stump or something like that. It's good to have shading too to show your character is actually standing in the area and not just hovering in front of a backdrop.
     
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  19. Kartoon

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    Thank you! Those are great tips! ^_^
     
  20. Dwlr

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    @Kartoon
    I know the subject kind of moved forward, but I did find an example of vector work albeit an example of something I never finished and even then it's an old version of it even.
    [​IMG]
     

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