Opinions Sought on Artistic something

[GothicGyrl]

:)

Here is the banner I've done for the new art page:
http://electricbarbarella.homeschooljournal.net/files/2008/02/banner2.jpg


The lone eye is sort of a trademark for me--I used to sign my name to my art work in an eye like that and I made a "living" in HS doing eyes for people. So it is sort of something that's me.

Anyway, this is going up on the new art page. I'm not too fond of the font(which is why I warped it), but otherwise I am pleased.

Do you think it "fits"? Do you like it? I know art is in the eye of the beholder, but if the rest of the page was sort of plain, that this was the only thing that stood out (eg: nothing else was loud), what do you think?

[Alana in Canada]

Honestly?
The font is jarring. It's too ornate for the eye. The "openness" of the font makes it hard to read too. And that red has got to go.
The piece lacks focus, as a result. My eye is going absolutely everywhere. Not enough unity.

The eye also looks really angry. Not sure why--and that's disconcerting with the green and purple which are soft and sort of dreamish--and yet weird enough to be edgy. If "angry" is OK, then keep it. There's a nice contrast going on there--but the font just wrecks it. It needs to be quiet so it doesn't distract from your icon.

In short, I would get rid of that font completely.

Just my 2 cents. PS--I love the border.
hth

[LN in WI]

I like the eye & background, but not the font with it.

They (the font and eye) seemed to compete with each other rather than complement.

HTH

Ellen

[Crissy]

I'm not fond of the font, or its color. How about something like this (http://simplythebest.net/fonts/fonts/cretino.html)? Or this (http://simplythebest.net/fonts/fonts/survivant.html)? Or this (http://simplythebest.net/fonts/fonts/dragonfly.html)? Heck, that site is full of great, FREE fonts.
And I'd love a color that compliments the pink and blue hues, But bolder, you know?

The eye is gorgeous!

[Pster]

My 2 cents - the text is hard to read and I'm not wild about the red color. I like the eye and the blended, water-color look of the other colors in it though.

hth!

[GothicGyrl]

The eye also looks really angry. Not sure why--and that's disconcerting with the green and purple which are soft and sort of dreamish--and yet weird enough to be edgy. If "angry" is OK, then keep it. There's a nice contrast going on there

It's the weird and edgy/soft and dreamish I was going for ;)

But I am changing it right now, I did not care for that font, but it was the only one I had even remotely desirable.

[GothicGyrl]

Alright here is the newest one:
http://creativewonders.homeschooljournal.net/files/2008/02/banner2.jpg

How's that one?

[Crissy]

Love it!
The new colors are great, and the tear is gorgeous! Nice work with the transparency.

[Amy in Orlando]

The second one is SO much better than the first. The first one was brash and a little scary looking. I love how the green eye pops on this version.

[Doran]

I feel like I'm acting out a part in Emperor's New Clothes. I can't see a thing. Where is banner 1...banner 2? Is there a secret here, or am I better off just smiling and telling you how lovely you look in your new [birthday] suit? :D

[GothicGyrl]

Well, i always accept compliments ;) But banner 1 should be in the first post and banner 2 in the post right above yours... I don't know why you aren't seeing anything UNLESS you don't have the boards on the traditional view, but on one of the other funky views---but I don't know since I don't use those views.

[Chris in VA]

Love the second one, except I'm not wild about the tear. It reminds me of the eye goopies my golden retriever gets. No offense, honest.

[Doran]

Well, i always accept compliments ;) But banner 1 should be in the first post and banner 2 in the post right above yours... I don't know why you aren't seeing anything UNLESS you don't have the boards on the traditional view, but on one of the other funky views---but I don't know since I don't use those views.

Nothing funky going on here, I promise. But, the banners are invisible to me. You guys are just messing with me, aren't you? :p

[Audrey]

Much better than option 1, but I think I'd like it better without the tear.

[Deece in MN]

I like the 2nd one much better. I think the eyebrow needs to be changed because that is what I think makes the eye look angry. I would like it better if the brow didn't have such a hard line and sharp point to it; softening it up a bit would give it more of the dreamy look.

I am not sure about the tear. I don't love it, but I don't hate it.

Overall, I like the 2nd one. Much easier to read and easier on the eye overall.

Nice work! :)

[WTMindy]

I like the second one a lot better! I like the border around the second one. The black on the first added to the harshness. The second one is much softer and visually appealing to me. Looks great!

[HSMom2One]

Hi there,
This is up my alley since, by trade, I am a graphic designer. The second version is far better than the first, but it still needs contrast on the text side. Try darkening the text up using either a deeper shade of the same green that is in the eye, a dark shade of purple or even black. You'll be amazed at the difference. Right now the viewer's eye goes straight to the black and white in the eye because it is such a high contrast. The best thing to do is even it up on the other side, creating a triangle that is pleasing.

You were smart to get rid of the other font. If you want people to really look at the eye, don't give them busy, "curly" text to compete with it. Also, the tear is lovely and brings out your great skill in illustration, however it is confusing next to the words "Creative Wonders". I'm afraid people might wonder what in the world you are trying to convey. Can you find a way to place it somewhere else, like in a gallery?

Blessings,
Lucinda

[Alana in Canada]

Interesting, LRB. My first reaction was to change the white outline around the font to something darker, too.

I like your suggestions.

And "wonders" just doesn't go with a "tear" unless there's a nightmare involved. It's a fabulous graphic, but it just doesn't communicate "wonder"--which has a sort of innocence to it.

Ok, before I analyse this to death, I'm going to bed.
Great job on the second try!

Doran--what browser are you using? Perhaps IT is messing with you!

[GothicGyrl]

The tear stays, it's part of the eye and part of the way I used to do eyes. There is no innocence ment with this, none at all, this is me we are talking about ;)

I can darken up the font though.. it does kind of blend in.

Please don't analyse it to death, I just want opinions on how it looks. ;)

Thanks ladies...

[Doran]

The tear stays, it's part of the eye and part of the way I used to do eyes. There is no innocence ment with this, none at all, this is me we are talking about ;)

I can darken up the font though.. it does kind of blend in.

Please don't analyse it to death, I just want opinions on how it looks. ;)

Thanks ladies...


Toni, I like what you've got here. I don't even mind the color of the text on the second image -- at least on my monitor (I'm using a different computer now than I was last night), it's a nice balance with the rest of the banner.

I can understand why you're attached to the eye and the tear drop. I can also see why some folks might not like the juxtaposition of "wonders" and the rather melancholy image. If you're just done fiddling with this thing, I get it, and I think it will serve your needs just fine. But, I thought I would offer a new word choice or two just to see how they sound to you. Instead of "Wonders", would "Sensations" or "Impressions" work for you? Other word ideas that come to mind are: Artistic Creations or Artistic Impressions.

Choosing this sort of thing is very personal. You've probably already received more advice than you really wanted. :rolleyes:

Doran

[HSMom2One]

Sorry Gothic Girl...you were asking for opinions and I was only trying to help. :D

Blessings,
Lucinda

[GothicGyrl]

LRB--I am asking for opinions, but the eye/teardrop stay. ;) It's sort of a "trademark" thing for me. :)

And Doran, I chose Creative Wonders as that is also what I've named our school. So I was sort of trying to keep it together..

I appreciate all the advice, that's why changed the font. I'm just attached to the eye/teardrop because of my past, that's all.

[Liz CA]

:)

Here is the banner I've done for the new art page:
http://electricbarbarella.homeschooljournal.net/files/2008/02/banner2.jpg


The lone eye is sort of a trademark for me--I used to sign my name to my art work in an eye like that and I made a "living" in HS doing eyes for people. So it is sort of something that's me.

Anyway, this is going up on the new art page. I'm not too fond of the font(which is why I warped it), but otherwise I am pleased.

Do you think it "fits"? Do you like it? I know art is in the eye of the beholder, but if the rest of the page was sort of plain, that this was the only thing that stood out (eg: nothing else was loud), what do you think?

I initially read "Onions sought..."
I like the eye but would also change the font.
But I am really not an artist, so take my opinion just for what it's worth.

[3lilreds in NC]

That font is perfect, and the colors are beautiful. I liked the colors in the first one, too, although I'd have made the font black instead of red. And I like the new font WAY better. Great job!!

[Trivium Academy]

Much better! Softer, easier on the eye. The first looked very punkish to me. :)

[godpoetry]

I like the second one. I also like the tear drop, it gives the art more feeling.