I've decided to try and broaden my skills in other areas aside from programming. If the only thing I'm good at is programming, I'm probably not going to make it far in any solo project. (Which I haven't.) So I've decided to try and get better with graphics. I've scrapped pixel art, I can't get any of that stuff to look right. So I'll go ahead and use this topic on anything graphical wise that I accomplish. (Anything worthwhile anyways)
Lightning SignatureLightning is a character from Final Fantasy 13 for anyone who's not aware.
First Attempt
Several issues here. Face doesn't match, text outline, pattern, and color don't match very well. The two backgrounds seem to clash a bit. The border is a bit odd, but matches the text.
Second Attempt
Changed a lot of things in this one. Looks a lot better in my opinion. Removed the lightning from the background. Applied some outer glows using a shade from her hair. Applied some color to the background to make it match the outerglow, came out pretty well. Changed text's pattern, much more fitting.
Third Attempt
After following Aqua's advice, I tried to spruce it up a bit. Though I feel I added way too much lightning in the background. I dunno, would like your opinions on this one. I tried changing the glow as she suggested but I wasn't quite able to get the result I wanted. Moved her face upwards a few pixels. Changed the text a bit, this includes glow and overall color.
Here's a slightly alternate version with more of the gunblade showing as Aqua suggested.
Final Attempt
Erased some of the lightning so it wasn't so parallel. (Thanks Aqua!)
Blastoise Signature (WIP)First Attempt
Not bad for a first draft if I say so myself. I know it doesn't look all that great but I can't really tell what to improve on. Too much blue for starters, the text can easily be worked on. Perhaps change up the backgrounds a bit? Blastoise's water cannon probably looks odd, mostly because I had to edit the blast in myself. Any feedback is much appreciated.
Leon ChameleonWanted to do another siggie/avvie for myself. Had little advice from GAX but overall I think it turned out really well. Any thoughts or opinions on it would be great. :3