Okay, I will show you the picture first before I'll get into self reflection:



I made this last night, was pretty tired.
This is my very first signature based on multiple components, instead of plain text/single image modifications.

I did it for a request as well as getting into making signatures.

I started with getting the render, erased her other arm. I put her on the right side, face more or less on a crosspoint of the rule of thirds, area of hand/in front of hand approximately slightly above a line.

Added some lights, even though in hindsight I am not too comfortable of the blue one next to her face, would revise this.

Sides are a bit too dark, bottom a tick too bright imo.

Also the comeout of the smudge was not kind of what I was looking for.

All in all though I am kind of positive with it, especially for being my very first real sig.

Now I'd like to read some constructive criticism (positive and negative) and please spare me links to tutorials.

It's messy, and the quality is very low. The text takes quite a bit away from the signature. The lighting is off I'm not even sure if that's what you intended it to be. You already posted that the smudge didn't come out the way you wanted it to, but just to reinforce the statement it's not that swell either. While I understand you're positive about it, we must all understand that our first signatures are trash. I hope you do some tutorials and come back with some more content and take to c&c well. Good luck, and hang in there.

Wasn't quite sure where to put the text. Was not comfortable in any places.
The lighting at the hand is intended to be off, as in a matter of reaching to it/casting something.

I was also thinking of just deleting the smudge right away, then I fixed it a bit (looked even worse before).

This signature helped me to understand some mechanics of photoshop and how to use them in a good and a bad way as well as getting back to photoshop after a few years now.

And I am really keen to see some criticism, as it can only help as long as it is constructive.

I suggest not using text, period, or at least for a while. Not only is it hard to do correctly, it's also so very easy to ruin a good signature with it. I definitely suggest doing some tutorials to pick up some more photoshop mechanics. As well as to become more familiar with how to better place and execute lighting and rule of thirds etc.

This post was edited by GoGoData on Sep 25 2013 02:58am

Too true.

I will look into some more definitely as well as play around with photoshop.

Also I will need some more resources as I am pretty limited to my lightings as of now.

http://forums.d2jsp.org/topic.php?t=57980088

There are also plenty of other good tutorials/tutorial compilations posted by graphic design regulars. It just may require some major digging.

Quick Edit; This is week 6, obviously go to week #1. Etc

This post was edited by GoGoData on Sep 25 2013 03:07am

Sorry don't hurt me I love you I think.