Photoshop - Sweat and Blood --> Critique the result

[ArcadeBliss]

So to begin, I have been lurking in these forums for years now. I built my first Scratch built cab in 2006 without saying a word, and now I am in the process of junking the old and bringing in the new. The build progress will follow in the appropriate forum soon.

The matter at hand reflects a two month long, off and on battle with Photoshop to produce the artwork for the first in a series of 5 control panels for my cab.. So without further ado, let me know what you think of my artwork for my "Classic" control panel. It will be used to play the 4-way and some 8-way games.

BTW, I would like to thank Trebeck for his inspiration with this piece.

[cmoses]

I like the look, classic characters, not overkill and definitely a little Trebeck influence.  My only critique is that the Joust characters look more pixelated (blurry) then the others.  Maybe they are too big?

[ivwshane]

It looks too sparse to me.

How about using a bigger grid for the background (just zoom in on it) and make the individual pieces/characters much larger.

[ArcadeBliss]

I like the look, classic characters, not overkill and definitely a little Trebeck influence.  My only critique is that the Joust characters look more pixelated (blurry) then the others.  Maybe they are too big?

Yeah, I got this critique from a friend of mine as well. I created the charecters pixel for pixel in Google Sketchup and exported them to Photoshop. I'll try reducing the amount of different color pixel that exist with the joust charecters to see if it makes a difference.

It looks too sparse to me.

How about using a bigger grid for the background (just zoom in on it) and make the individual pieces/characters much larger.

My intention was not to let the buttons and joysticks interfere with the background picture. I'll give it a try though and see how I like it. 

I'll post a new pic with both versions here.

[ArcadeBliss]

So, here are the results according to your suggestions.

Picture 1: I reduced the color palette for the joust characters. I think this looks much better.
Picture 2: Includes the changes from Pic 1 and enlarged the Hive Background. (Me like!)
Picture 3: Includes the changes from Pic 2 and increased the character sizes by 40% plus a little rearranging to compensate.

What say you?

[ivwshane]

Go even bigger!! Don't be afraid to have your characters take up a good chunk of the cp and even cover key areas of the cp (like the buttons or joystick).

Can you change the perspective of the background image?

I did a very rough example for you (the hex in the background should be smaller and skewed more like the original you had).

[Trebeck]

BTW, I would like to thank Trebeck for his inspiration with this piece.

You're very welcome!  Great job BTW.
Love the Kung Fu guy.

[ArcadeBliss]

Go even bigger!! Don't be afraid to have your characters take up a good chunk of the cp and even cover key areas of the cp (like the buttons or joystick).

Can you change the perspective of the background image?

I did a very rough example for you (the hex in the background should be smaller and skewed more like the original you had).

Hmmm... Thanks for the suggestion, however, it's not quite my style. I think I will be going with my original version with the changed Joust characters.