My first freehanded Icon

[chilla_killa]

Hello Guys,

I just started to draw my first freehand icon in GIMP.
I always was untalented in arts, but somehow I always liked to draw and paint.

I finally understand a little bit what shading and highlighting means, but I need much more practise.

So here it is:
A golden sword.
I'm quite happy about the blade, but the handle turned out not so good.

How do you like it?
What could be improved?
Is it worth to upload? Probably not .

Thanks for your attention.
chilla_killa

 

[warhog]

it seems to blend in with the background, try a bit simpler bg.
otherwise i think it looks great, some more light/shadows on the handle and you sure can upload this

 

[chilla_killa]

Okay I changed the background to a decent glow and added highlights and shading at the metal part.
I'm still unhappy with the handle.

 

[Jacky The turtle]

Maybe add some simple decorartion in the handle

 

[Chizume]

Imo much better than the first version.

For the handle, try straighter or at least sharper lines - it's metal after all. A good tip in general (that I usually do whenever I draw) is to Google the material and study it back and forth while drawing.

 

[Dentothor]

Try thinking of different ways to highlight along the sword rather than using the smudge tool. Which i can tell, you used a lot of. Also, Try to add a bit of texture. the methods of how you shade and highlight can be a huge supporting factor towards the texture of the part of the icon. For example, My icon (Tessen) was a paper fan. Using a bit of a scratchy, and a bit of messier lines along shading spots, gave it the impression of scratchy, old, parchment. An wood was given grooves and dark lines to give it a more realistic wood impression. So something like this, can turn into something more interesting when sizing down. (this)
This is what most new icon artists seem to look over and ignore, that it cant be a simple colour and highlight to look good. If you give the parts of the icon more texture and feeling, then the viewer gets a better impression upon exactly what it is.
But keep trying. Its a very good start.

~Dentothor

 

[Uncle Fester]

i am not using GIMP (i never did in fact) but i could give you many hints in photoshop. i use photoshop 6.0....i never made ICONS till now, but i have started giving it some tries. anyway you should take a look @ Hawkwing's Anti-noobism texturing tutorial (it's mainly about skins but the way to succes is the same in icons and skins) and here is the link: http://www.hiveworkshop.com/forums/2d-art-tutorials-281/anti-noobism-texturing-92402/

 

[chilla_killa]

Thanks, but I already knew this tutorial.

 

[warhog]

wow looking much better now and if im allowed to dictate even more i would recommend stronger glow on bg and some flames along the blade to make the blade less plastic