Hi everyone,

I've got some new inspiration, moving in a more abstract, minimalistic direction. I decided to draw a forest, emerging from the canvas from a few scattered lines. Here's my work so far:


I'm inspired by the swirling layers in some sedimentary rock, combined with the powerful lines of open countryside. My course of action is to add lighter, complementary lines to this, to create that layered, smoothed effect.
What are your thoughts on it so far?
Thanks in advance for any comments and criticism!

It's a cool idea for sure. One thing that pops to mind is the bright white background, it quickly overpowers your colors and makes them look darker, makes it harder to pixel and choose colors. Would you be willing to consider another color for background, for example light green? In the example, I used a light blue too for sky, but that of course may be too "conventional" and not what your vision for the piece is. Also circled with red is one relatively sharp corner in the wave, it's super subtle but it breaks the smoothness of the wave.

Updates, two of them:

I figured that the canvas should remain one color, in homage to pen-and-paper line drawings that somewhat inspire this piece. But I did alter it from white, to a creamy, papery color. The lines are still a challenge, but because they are the most important element, I am not saying they're done by a long shot.


I cut out some of the canvas. The clouds aren't the best, still. I'm not sure what to do with them.

Update:


I've worked some more on this, and I think I'm doing fairly well. Any outstanding failures of style or conveyance you can see? I personally do not like the horizon, but I left it in for this update.

Update #2:



Edited by SuperTurnip - 20 April 2014 at 4:20pm

As an art noob, I wouldn't see this as a landscape if it wasn't for something resembling either clouds or a horizon.

To me it looks like unicellular creatures under a microscope. It's very well pixelled though, in terms of working against the limitations of pixel art. Very nice AA.

I guess it depends on whether you want to cater to the educated or uneducated PJers. To make the weekly showcase, you may need a horizon. And maybe a Super Mario.

Edited by CELS - 20 April 2014 at 8:29pm

Update:


Dropped the horizon, I hope that helps. I also did some more clouds, because their lines compliment the piece, in my opinion. I lowered the whole thing a few pixels to give those things some space, and also plonked in some lower and upper borders.

I'm not feeling those borders and clouds either, along with the cut canvas they make it feel kind of cramped, I thought the white space in the first version gave it a sense of air and freedom. Of course this is an uneducated layman opinion, so take from that what you will. :)

Edited by inphy - 21 April 2014 at 2:31pm

I use Macs where images a bit lighter than PCs.
I hardly ever mention this because monitors are relative and its always different for all. Fyi, the green used on the clouds is very light for me.

Its plain yet suggestive and even mysterious, lovely looking and very well pixelled :)