Need Advice

Okay, so.. I made this like a week ago or so because of a post someone made.



It took me quite a while to figure out how to just make that, as I have limited brushes, experience, and other factors.. I'm starting the question the Rihanna picture I chose, which took me a long time to make transparent. I don't think I did it the right way, but at least it looks half decent. x3

There's too much base color, and I don't know anything really about "lighting" or other very important elements to graphics.

Could anyone guide me as to what to do? :\

 

First off sign up on a few graphics forums for resources here are some good forums you should sign up for

Planetrenders.net (sign up for the renders gallary and the forum as they require two separate accounts.)
fringefx.net
dreamfx.net


Don't worry about rendering pictures (making them transparent) you can find a lot of good renders just by searching google or on planet renders.

One good thing I see in you're tag is that you didn't use a centered focal point which is a good thing. ​

Another thing you should do is make a photobucket account and a deviant art account if you plan on making graphics for a while. Deviantart also has a alot of tutorials and good resources (c4d's, effect stocks, brushes, etc)

Tuts are one way to learn how to make tags but once you know what you are doing in photoshop (I'm assuming you are using it if not ignore this) download some PSD packs. They allow you to see what the person who made it did.

Heres a couple of good tutorials you should read.

http://fc02.deviantart.com/fs32/f/2008/221/b/2/GFX_Beginning_Tutorial_FIX_by_TheInterest.png
http://fc04.deviantart.net/fs43/f/2009/080/9/3/The_Basics_Tutorial_by_pnlight.png
http://fc06.deviantart.net/fs16/f/2007/179/6/f/Basics_Tutorial_by_JuicEDesignZ.png
http://fc07.deviantart.net/fs44/f/2009/127/3/f/3f31d3cc8e1b53602e55626fc5611400.png

Feel free to add me on msn to ask any questions/talk [email protected]

 

Add some more effects or brushes, find some textures maybe? A nice smudge could fill up the black space. There are heaps of things to do, but go register at one of those sites w000t mentioned and read some tutorials

 

Its a pretty basic signature, but never go with a "Blank" background whether its white or black, add some light effects, and or brushes/textures.