Working on icons...

[thistlechaser]

I don't know how other people work, but for me making new icons starts with finding the perfect initial image. That's the first, and very much the hardest, step. I love seeing how other people work, so perhaps others would be interested as well.

I made a screenshot of my Photoshop window, showing the potential images I've found so far. The three on the left have the most likelihood of actually becoming new icons. (The two wolves in the middle lost some quality in becoming a jpg.) Don't ask me why there are so many wolves/werewolves, that's just chance. The abundance of saber-toothed tigers is on purpose, as Thistle-Chaser (the character) is one.

This quest is made all the harder by me not really knowing what I'm really looking for...

Note: The screenshot is a large image.

Comments

[laurelwood.livejournal.com]

Well, if this isn't the biggest coincidence! I've just spent the past hour or so making a whole new wardrobe of icons.

It's interesting to see how people with tools and technical skill work- I have "Paint" and that's it. I comb the web for interesting-looking stuff and then crudely crop it down to 100x100, and that's about it. Text, animation, and caught-by-me screen caps are way beyond me. It's still fun, though, even with only archaic means at my disposal!

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

Paintshop Pro is a great alternative to Photoshop. I used it for years before getting my new computer. Even the old version I had let you do handy things like borders and fancy text and such.

Animation is a challenge I don't often tackle often, except often when I often feel redundant, which is often. Ahem. There are tools you can download that will make the task easier.

I'm glad it sounds like you're having good luck with this! I've put a couple hours into this over two nights, and still don't have one new icon I like. Bah. :P

[juliansinger.livejournal.com]

Not that I'm an artist, but I rather like the closeup of face of the wooden statue.

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I liked that one as well, but I saved it in the "wrong" format, and so it lost too much quality. I really need to look up when to use gif/jpg/png... Oh well!

[metron-ariston.livejournal.com]

... the one with Red Riding Hood looks somehow perverted. @_@;; Like she's looking down in shock that he's molesting her! And are the two gray wolves mating? *far too interested in the sex lives of your wolf icons*

The one of whatsername from Azumanga Daioh is just begging for a witty OMGWTFBBQ!! sort of caption. But I suck at coming up with them.

Someday when I have a paid account I'll have all icons of funny signs! *loves funny signs*

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

the one with Red Riding Hood looks somehow perverted.

Ha! You're right, but I didn't think anyone would notice. (In the whole image, they're licking each others' tongues -- blech!)

And are the two gray wolves mating?

Either one was killing the other and there was no mating, or they were mating as one killed the other, it was a little hard to tell!

The one of whatsername from Azumanga Daioh is just begging for a witty OMGWTFBBQ!! sort of caption. But I suck at coming up with them.

I had the same thought, but I couldn't come up with anything funny to add, either...