A wallpaper re-work

[galathea]

So, instead of creating some of the gazillion ideas that float around in my head, I decided to re-work one of my favourite older wallpapers. Now that I have that off the table I can return to newer stuff .. hopefully! *g*



The Mask is one of my favourite manips that I have ever done and I was itching to re-work it for quite some time now, 'cause I still think the idea behind it is awesome and deserves the best I am able to do. When I created it, my PS skills were way less developed than they are now and so I took the opportunity today to change some parts that were really bothering me. Firstly, I was now able to work out Dean's eyes, they were barely visible before and I also manipped the top of his head in, since it looked cut off in the original.

Unfortunately I think the cap of Dean closing the door behind him in the first version (symbolising how Dean shuts out the world from his problems) is not really recognisable as such, so I decided to replace it with the stock of a closing door instead, the darkness behind it still visible. Additionally I removed the texture, worked some highlights in and changed to a warmer colouring. I am very happy with the end result.

The Mask

1024x768 | Old Version

You all know the drill, no posting elsewhere and no pretending it's your own. Just for private desktop use! *g* Resources as usual over at Salt'n Burn!

Comments

[bre2004.livejournal.com]

Ah, much better! The original concept was beautiful, still is, but you captured the pain and the difference between Dean when the mask is on and then off a great deal better in the new piece. Also, the door stock is fantastic and I like how the text is laid out in the new piece. It = love overall. :D *hugs*

[galathea-snb.livejournal.com]

Aww thanks, hon! *hugs back* I think that's the effect of the eyes, they look so haunted, that clear expression was lost in the first version, where I didn't know how to work with eyes.

And yeah, I think the door stock works way better than the cap I used and I love all the new lines that came in with the angle of the door and the lights I brought in.

I am happy you approve! :D

[rosely.livejournal.com]

I love them both!
The new one does show the pain better, and I agree that the image is better. The text style is also better and the colouring is prettier. But I like that in the old one more happens, more texture and the image in the back.

[galathea-snb.livejournal.com]

Thanks Rosely! ♥ Well, over the last couple of months I use less and less textures and came to find them mostly irritating, I prefer clear and clean areas (in comparison to texture covering empty areas) by far at the moment. It's a different use of space, working without textures, it allows the images itself to stand out more because they are not embedded in something.

In the end I also think that the closing door holds more meaning than the cap I chose. You see the darkness lingering behind the door, that Dean is closing in, so to speak. So yeah, I by far prefer the new version, but well, that was obvious or I wouldn't have changed it LOL.