Art A New, Uprising Artist

[Starwind]

I've just started making my own banners and few avitars. The banner and avi I'm currently using are things of my own creation. I know there are alot of seasoned artists here and I'd like to get some honest opinions on the work I've done thus far. Mind you, it was all done today within the last two hours so it's not perfect, but it's a start.

[IMG]http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c384/GeneOutlaw/Past.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c384/GeneOutlaw/RyuhouBanner.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c384/GeneOutlaw/Power.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c384/GeneOutlaw/Savior.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c384/GeneOutlaw/Unforgotten.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c384/GeneOutlaw/FullMetalBanner.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c384/GeneOutlaw/SoulTakerBanner.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c384/GeneOutlaw/SephirothBanner.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c384/GeneOutlaw/RahXephonSelfBanner.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c384/GeneOutlaw/KazumaBanner.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c384/GeneOutlaw/EvaBanner.jpg[/IMG]

Please let me know what you think. And if you see something you like, feel free to help yourself.

[Retribution]

[size=1]I notice two general problem in your banners. While you have a good eye for design, [1] your text is overpowering the banner, and [2] you obsure the focal point/stock beyond the point of recognition.

[1] I'd recommend lowering the font size and making the font a less clashing color. Instead, try to make it compliment the banner. So if you had a navy blue banner, maybe a royal blue would suffice, instead of a green or red. The font also eclipses the stock, so it's harder to enjoy the banner.

[2] The stocks (images) are relatively obscured in most of these. When you make a banner, make the image as clear as possible, without distortion or grain. Find the cleanest image you can get your hands on so that when you add effects, you don't lose the general 'integrity' of your image.

Oh, and add a one pixel black border. ^_~ Keep up the work![/size]