First Graphic In A While

Last time I made a graphic was during fagex v1.0
I decided to start again today.



I know that it's not much, but it's something
critique?

 

Erm.. Doesn't look like you did much to it, or did you?
First of all; improve the background, make it look more interesting, it currently looks plain with some brushes over 'em..
Secondly, the render cold use improvements aswell, it now only has a drop shadow.. Make it pop out more.
The text.. Do something with it so it actually blends in a bit, not too much! But currently it's just sitting there.. Doing nothing.
I'd like to see you improve this

 

haha thanks for the critique...
And yeah, actually just followed a crappy tutorial on youtube and just used some brushes over it.
I should stop doing that and just learn the tools...

1. How do I make the image "pop" out more?
2. I thought that the text blends in pretty well, but guess not :/ any suggestions?

thanks!

 

With that stock and idea there's no way to get it popping.

 

First and foremost you should try and focus on improving the quality of the rendering, and the cut around the edges. Attempt to remove/smoothen the slight pixelation around it, and entirely remove that black shadowing.

After this, you should try and improve the visual interest of the background - start off simplistic with something that compliments the colours of the penguin, but doesn't detract from it.
Apply some some element of light - create a definitive lightsource with the brush tool, and work with the rest of the signature to realistically mirror the shadows and highlights it would create.

Omit text for now, at least while you're still learning