don't know where to go with the CPO

[bartre]

well, this is what i've been working on.
the thing is, i'm not sure i really like the background, but i don't know what else to do.
what do you think i should do?

[HaRuMaN]

I don't like the background either.  Too cluttered and busy, IMO.

[bartre]

yeah, I'm just out of ideas on what to do.

[HaRuMaN]

Hmm.  Try grayscaling out the background, and put a larger, colored image in the foreground.

[bartre]

grayscaling?
like just use a gradient in the back?
or keep what i've got then make it B&W?

[HaRuMaN]

grayscaling?
like just use a gradient in the back?
or keep what i've got then make it B&W?

Keep what you have and make it greyscale (esentially uses black / white / and shades of gray depending on what the original color was)

[bartre]

do you mean something like this?

[HaRuMaN]

do you mean something like this?

Yeah, now you're getting the idea.  The background is still there, but not as distracting, and your eye is immediately drawn to color part.

[bartre]

well, after some experimenting, speech class, a bio test, and some student employment, I came up with this:
new thoughts?

[Gatsu]

hmmm.... I can't say Im digging it. Looks like tv static behind her.

Maybe do some gradients and go download some custom photoshop brushes and experiment with those.

http://www.brusheezy.com/

They've got some cool textures and patterns you can play around with that may bring out some more ideas.

I liked the grayscale background.

 

[ivwshane]

How about some background on your cab? Or is this a cp only?

What's your actual layout going to be?

Do you have any favorite games or genres or styles?

[bartre]

well, the cab is a mame cab, gonna paint it black,  don't know aboutthe color for the t molding yet.
the joysticks are both black happ supers, and the buttons are red and black happ competitions.
the reason i went with having akiha in the front is because she was in Melty Blood, one of my favorite fighting games, and i'm a junkie for those.
as far as styles go, i'm not sure what you mean.  but i was hoping to go with more of a red, white, and black theme for the CPO.

EDIT:
well, didn't see a need to post again, but i've done some work with some brushes and the like as gatsu suggested, here's what i've come up with:

[Gatsu]

thats pretty sweet.

[bartre]

thanks!
your advice really helped, i think i reached my final CPO!
now, on to the marquee.