The official X-Manips thread

[Lazmarquez]

i'd love to see posters hinting to xavier/jean tension/battles, so i made another one.. lol here ya go

 

[JP]

Okay, thats my new favorite.

 

[xwolverine2]

Nice!

 

[N_z0]

Good job, Lazmarquez!!! Still not a fan of the X3 logo tho. Hopefully the production'll think of a better one.

 

[ts16]

I'm loving the storm/jean posters !

 

[Lazmarquez]

took a stab at making a couple of avatars as well, hopefully they come in handy lol..

 

[Ashlocke]

Laz, those individual posters of Jean and Storm are absolutely amazing! Please do some more of those. Please???? Iceman and Cyclops???

 

[DarkDog]

^^ yeah, rogue and mystique also. pleeeeeeeease ^_^

 

[ComicQueen]

i'd love to see posters hinting to

xavier/jean tension/battles, so i made another one.. lol

here ya go

OOOOOH!!!! SO CLOSE!!!

I love the creativeness behind this but you should learn to Bevel. Bevel the date and "glass" it. It would be down right perfection. In fact why use the poster image date for the "date"?? Use Bank Gothic Fonting then Bevel and Emboss. There is no need to cut from another image for "fonting" purposes. It makes the poster look cheap and tacky.

Xavier's head needs to be faded out around the neck. It looks like his head is floating in air. Bad composition of his skin, not your fault, its the res of the pic.

Of course, SB's logo is always sheer perfection. He did a real amazing job recapturing that logo.

Again only a slight gripe, remove the "lake" texture from the image and it would have worked smarter/clever.

 

[ComicQueen]

Should I even critique this at all? It's littered with problems but your intentions are good. Edge your layers, try looking at your product before exhibit it. This images is a mess. The hard edges, the over white shadowing of the "X" logo, which by the way, doesn't even blend in correctly to the other layers. Over usage of lightening (opacity is extremely unleveled) and aren't even positioned well. You have no direction for it, it's as if you were "Brush Happy" and placed them wherever. The only thing positive is the eyes which you glassed really well.

All in all, you are getting much much better than you were a month ago. I'm assuming from all my mass critiquing and tips have helped in directing you in a good direction.

took a stab at making a couple of

avatars as well, hopefully they come in handy lol..

Looks awfully too familiar

http://www.thexverse.com/downloads/

You should try to go original and not use something that replicates another designers style. I know it's hard to do but you must if you want to be truly respected. I've had many "so-called" artist rip my designs off multiple times that I can't even count.

It's not flattering nor cute. I think you are taking the designing a little more seriously than previously. It's a big leap forward so Kudos!

 

[Asteroid-Man]

will someone plz send me the unrated pheanix photo?!

 

[newwaveboy87]

All in all, you are getting much much better than you were a month ago. I'm assuming from all my mass critiquing and tips have helped in directing you in a good direction.

i think you're patting yourself on the back too much, and giving yourself way too much credit.

when you do anything long enough you're bound to get better at it and improve upon your own skills. you've just provided a few helpful hints for him to help himself - and chances are he's already looked at this work and noticed the problems.

 

[ComicQueen]

i think you're patting yourself on the back too much, and giving yourself way too much credit.

Oh really? So when did he start improving? Aren't the images getting better? I think so and without critique (myself included) we couldn't get better. No one on here is willing to dish out the criticism which is why there are so many bad images and artwork on here.

when you do anything long enough you're bound to get better at it and improve upon your own skills. you've just provided a few helpful hints for him to help himself - and chances are he's already looked at this work and noticed the problems.

You need to read the posts correctly, he claims to have been a Graphic Artist for a very long time. I'm not and have discovered I'm better than he is and tackled on original designing. If he's been doing this that long he doesn't "need" to get better because by default he already is.

Unless you are a novice.

 

[newwaveboy87]

Oh really? So when did he start improving? Aren't the images getting better? I think so and without critique (myself included) we couldn't get better. No one on here is willing to dish out the criticism which is why there are so many bad images and artwork on here.

You need to read the posts correctly, he claims to have been a Graphic Artist for a very long time. I'm not and have discovered I'm better than he is and tackled on original designing. If he's been doing this that long he doesn't "need" to get better because by default he already is.

Unless you are a novice.

seeing as how he's said he does these images for five minutes while AT WORK, i don't think they need critiquing. now if he said these were things he slaved for over hours and hours, then yes, they should be. but five minutes at work? no need. it'd be like critiquing some sketch i did while bored in class for ten minutes as compared to a project i put hours of effort into.

these are just for fun. no more, no less.

and one self is their own worst critique. everyone else just offers suggestions for possible improvement. and seeing as how art is more subjective, i personally like a lot of Laz's work more so then some of the things you've shown us. no offense is meant, but that was a really cocky statement.

 

[ComicQueen]

seeing as how he's said he does these images for five minutes while AT WORK, i don't think they need critiquing. now if he said these were things he slaved for over hours and hours, then yes, they should be. but five minutes at work? no need. it'd be like critiquing some sketch i did while bored in class for ten minutes as compared to a project i put hours of effort into..

5 Minutes at work? Give me a break. You really don't think that's true, eh? If you do then there are many things I'd like to sell you through Ebay.

Yes they do need critiquing and compare this to the other HORRORS he's displayed on here they have gotten so much better. I give him BRAVO's for all the improvemet he has exhibited recently.

Through his experience he should be so much better than what's exhibited here especially for someone that does this as his profession. I know too many "amatuers" that can perform such amazing feats within 5 minutes that make this look hokey and terrible by comparison. This coming from amateurs mind you, not someone who went to school or is employed for this.

these are just for fun. no more, no less.

and one self is their own worst critique. everyone else just offers suggestions for possible improvement. and seeing as how art is more subjective, i personally like a lot of Laz's work more so then some of the things you've shown us. no offense is meant, but that was a really cocky statement.

I'm sick of all the junkyard sites and tacky artwork.

Oh no it's not cocky, it's called being confident of my work. While you maynot appreciate it I can understand why considering what you do like.

oh let's recap:

a lesser person would've backed away. but you've put your money where your mouth it. you've got my respect.

You may not like me on a personal level which I couldn't really care but the bottom line is I'm good at what I do and don't give mediocre fair.

 

[bosef982]

5 Minutes at work? Give me a break. You really don't think that's true, eh? If you do then there are many things I'd like to sell you through Ebay.

Yes they do need critiquing and compare this to the other HORRORS he's displayed on here they have gotten so much better. I give him BRAVO's for all the improvemet he has exhibited recently.

Through his experience he should be so much better than what's exhibited here especially for someone that does this as his profession. I know too many "amatuers" that can perform such amazing feats within 5 minutes that make this look hokey and terrible by comparison. This coming from amateurs mind you, not someone who went to school or is employed for this.



I'm sick of all the junkyard sites and tacky artwork.

Oh no it's not cocky, it's called being confident of my work. While you maynot appreciate it I can understand why considering what you do like.

oh let's recap:



You may not like me on a personal level which I couldn't really care but the bottom line is I'm good at what I do and don't give mediocre fair.

You know, reading through your posts and alleged "constructive critiques", I've just suddenly discovered the dictionary totally inadequate in describing three words:

pretentious
arrogant and
nauseating

I will also be sending you the doctor's bill for having my eyes pulled back down since they've gotten stuck in the top of my head...

 

[ComicQueen]

You know, reading through your posts and alleged "constructive critiques", I've just suddenly discovered the dictionary totally inadequate in describing three words:

pretentious
arrogant and
nauseating

I will also be sending you the doctor's bill for having my eyes pulled back down since they've gotten stuck in the top of my head...

That's your personal problem.

 

[newwaveboy87]

there's lots of trash no matter what kind of art you're in. and not a whole lot can be done about it, people are going to do what they do whether you like it or not.

and you don't know what i like when it comes to art. sure i like some of Laz's work, but by no means do i think it's perfect. and i can see where suggestions are needed, but you come along and critique with a hachet.

and there is a big difference between being confident, and being cocky. your statement was cocky in my opinion. you might think you're better - and sure you might be technically better - but he's done things that are more creative and interesting visually. negative space can only go so far in a piece, and sustain interest for so long.

they were by no means horrors. were they the greatest things ever? no. not at all. but they showed a level of artistry, and room for growth and improvement, which he began to do before you came along.

but i think i am done now. this could get more heated and even more flammed then what it already is. and i still do give you props for putting your money where your mouth is, but you shouldn't critique so harshly. this is his work. and someone could turn around and do it too you just as harshly, if not more so.

 

[ComicQueen]

there's lots of trash no matter what kind of art you're in. and not a whole lot can be done about it, people are going to do what they do whether you like it or not.

Absolutely but X-Fandom has too much of their fair share. I look at Lord of the Rings and even Star Wars and those guys are freakin' amazing. Even Spiderman's fandom has some very decent artpieces by fans. I just only want the same done here and it should be. The bars should always be raised higher. Is that so bad? You're making it seem like it's a crime.

and you don't know what i like when it comes to art. sure i like some of Laz's work, but by no means do i think it's perfect. and i can see where suggestions are needed, but you come along and critique with a hachet.

Oh really? Then you should spend some time on DeviantArt sometime and watch the down right hateful criticisms I see on there. I only want Laz to get better and to watch what he's doing in these pieces. He's a professional and SHOULDN'T need me to point these out.

I just have a problem with anyone claiming to be "something" but exhibiting something entirely different. I could have EEEEASILY come on here and claimed to be a graphic designer but I'm not and I'm amatuer at best. I wouldn't insult anyone's profession by making such a claim. Those people work hard to do what they do and it's insulting for me to pretend to be something I'm not.

and there is a big difference between being confident, and being cocky. your statement was cocky in my opinion. you might think you're better - and sure you might be technically better - but he's done things that are more creative and interesting visually. negative space can only go so far in a piece, and sustain interest for so long.

Actually, some of the things he's done has been creative and I give him strokes IF YOU COULD READ, you'd have noticed how I mention that many times in my statments. "Great creativeness" "nice conceptual". I don't come in here to BLAST or belittle anyone but the things I'm pointing out are so stupid that NO Graphic designer would have overlooked them at all. They take pride in their work, because it's what they do.

Better technically? Isn't that the whole point? to be technically better? Sorry but I don't find badly blurred images, visually unattractive compositions my cup o' java.

they were by no means horrors. were they the greatest things ever? no. not at all. but they showed a level of artistry, and room for growth and improvement, which he began to do before you came along.

but i think i am done now. this could get more heated and even more flammed then what it already is. and i still do give you props for putting your money where your mouth is, but you shouldn't critique so harshly. this is his work. and someone could turn around and do it too you just as harshly, if not more so.

That's the POINT these should have been brillaint NO MATTER WHAT. I don't do any of this for a living it's a hobby. Laz does this for a living so should know about Bevel/Emboss and have the creativity to spin something original on his own instead of borrowing too much.

I don't give these comments out of malice. I do it in professional critique. If you've been to graphic artist site like Billy Bussey you'd know the difference. YOu think I'm doing this to be EVIL but I'm not or else I could have been even more wicked with my comments.

 

[newwaveboy87]

just cause something has the technicality doesn't mean it's actually a good work of art. art is about more then the technical aspects.

and to be fair to a lot of the X-fans, they're more animation/cartooning/illustrating then graphic design, as far as i've seen.

and i never said you were doing this to be evil. nor do i even think you're doing it to be evil, you're jumping to conclusions. all i think is that you're critiques are a little too harsh on the guy. the end.

no more, no less.

 

[ComicQueen]

just cause something has the technicality doesn't mean it's actually a good work of art. art is about more then the technical aspects.

and to be fair to a lot of the X-fans, they're more animation/cartooning/illustrating then graphic design, as far as i've seen.

and i never said you were doing this to be evil. nor do i even think you're doing it to be evil, you're jumping to conclusions. all i think is that you're critiques are a little too harsh on the guy. the end.

no more, no less.

Were my comments out of context? Were they wrong? No. Bottom line they weren't wrong so we shouldn't be having this conversation in the first place. Yes, you might think I was being too harsh but that's because you have formed a person opinion about me regarding another issue which again, whatever.

I just pointed out some detailed things that most GA's would have appreciated or would have caught. I've bashed my own past works when I started and used them as an example. I'm my own worst critic and trust me have had my fair share but took it in stride and began to look for those things.

Artistry is a visual that is easily flawed. You better be damned good if you plan to exhibit it anywhere. Especially if you are an experienced Artist you better be prepared to back it up.

 

[newwaveboy87]

all i'm saying is not to be so cocky, and to be nicer in your critiques. the end. that's all the point ever was.

 

[Lazmarquez]

Okay Everyone, This Officially Stops Here. I'm not the creator of this thread, nor am I a moderator of any sort, but I'd like to take the initiative, since this substantially deals with a critique of my work, to stop this now.

ComicQueen, Up to now, I have been very respectful to your critiques and your work. I have taken what you have said into consideration and endured your very harsh, layer for layer rip on the work I create. And until today, it has hardly affected me in the least, but your recent posts have pushed me a little much. Why? Because you give me critiques? No. Because you give me pointers? No. But because you have taken it upon yourself to insult the very thing in life that I take seriously and do for a living. I, in fact, am a Graphic Designer. I've gone to school for it, I've trained and I now have a paying job in NYC doing just this. Whether I meet your ideals and standards is of no importance to me.

My work is in no way terrible, and I pride myself in exhibiting these manips, because I love to detach myself from the burdens of everyday life to share with the wonderful and appreciative folks here at the boards. Because I am not judged for a manip that to be VERY exact, takes me within 15-30 minutes EACH to do. I do not take hours, I cannot afford hours seeing that I work at an office and have other projects to do. So there it is, an aproximate time frame from ME, the creator. If you do not believe me, check the time frames between manips for me.. As I create them, I post them. Whether you know others who are better, once again, is of no importance to me either. Great, I'm glad. I'm not perfect, I'll never be. But I love what I do. That's all that is important to me. I love this.

And just so you know, I dont improve because of you. I accomplish what I do myself, I LISTEN to ME. I AM my own worst critic. I dont need another one to help out.

I never thought this board would be the new place i'd be fear to express myself. Whether it's a 15 minute manip or a 7 day manip, I and everyone in this community shouldn't feel this way. Everyone here should post their art no matter their skill level or experience. We should not fear wether one will tell us that or skills cannot meet our careers. And we should not fear wether we can live to YOUR or anyone's expectations, but express ourselves regardless. If it's a burden to the prefection you profess, then please do not return to this board. I personally enjoy my time here and I enjoy everyone's art. I can state I'm a Graphic Designer, for it is my profession, and no art is bad art as long as it is done with conviction and heart. So please, I welcome you to exhibit your art, but respect everyone elses in doing so, as those around you respectfully do to you.

So Like I said, This feud between everyone ends here. These boards need to start getting positive again, and people should be appreciative we even have this place to discuss and befriend others in. So from this moment forward:

 

[Psionic Force]

GOOD FOR YOU LAZ!!!!

I could not agree with you more! Not sure who CQ thinks she is, but I always felt her comments were too harsh for a fan site. No one ever claimed to be 'the best' at what they do, that is until CQ came along and made it clear that she felt that way.

 

[the a1ant]

Amen, Laz.