Those Who Came Before - Cover Image · 2:55am Nov 26th, 2012
Okay then, as it happens my current story artist is no longer in a position to create the cover art for Those Who Came Before. It's normally at this point that I turn to my watchers and grovel for a little while without telling them why I'm actually doing so.
Anyway, I'm in a real bind here. I can't submit my story without a suitable cover image as I want it to present a quality face for new readers, and my searches for images are yielding little results.
With that in mind: I'm wondering if any of my watchers would happen to know any good image-sharing sites besides deviantART, or be of an artistic mind and willing to help out with a cover image. I know this may seem bold, but I am in desperate need of a good looking cover image for Those Who Came Before, so anyone that could help in any way would be greatly appreciated. Unfortunately, the only thanks I would be able to give would be an acknowledgement and such in the story, and maybe naming a character for you, ETC. I'm very sorry, but that's the best I can do.
So yes, if anyone can - and is willing - to help out with either finding or creating the cover image for Those Who Came Before, please send me a PM, and then we can discus details. (I don't want to post them here so that I don't give away too many details about the story.)
I can make a cover with stick figures!
That's about as good as it's gonna get from me though. Wish I could help, but drawing is one of my worst areas of art.
http://imageshack.us/photos/my%20little%20pony?
http://tinypic.com/
http://imgur.com/
http://minus.com/
http://www.flickr.com/
and of course
https://www.google.com/imghp?hl=en&tab=wi
__________
Take a look at tumblr as well, there are plenty of artists that may draw a pic for you if you ask nicely...
I'd love to help in your search for a pic, but I need to know what you're looking for.
540014 540026 540264
Thanks for the help guys, but I think I've found something.
One image I could use is HERE.
It's not THAT related to the story, but it should serve until the artist I mentioned earlier is in a position to create a custom-made piece of cover-art.
Without any context to it; what do you guys think? Does it look okay as a temporary stand-in image?
540912 Well, I'm not entirely sure what the plot behind the story is, but I'm assuming it has something to do with a human... megastructure?
If it's about a major human architectual accomplishment of some kind, then I'd say it looks good for now!
540915 Actually, it's more about finding something human below Canterlot. there's no actual megastructure in the story, which is why the image is only 'partly related'.
With that in mind, do you think it still serves its purpose well enough?
540918 Depends, what is it that they find? If you can tell without too many spoilers.
540942 Uhh... A structure. A door. Basically, an ancient human facility thing. (to put it vaguely)
540945 What kind of style is it? Ultra modern or is it like a steampunk-ish thing?
540950 Without a doubt it's modern. I'd imagine it to be at least 2050's in design, so maybe consider it as being modern, slightly futuristic.
I found two that might be useful. The first is just a wierd thing I found.
darkbutbright.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/chasm-city.jpg
This one could be kind of like a large tower in the middle of a man made ocean maybe?
yankodesign.com/images/design_news/2012/03/06/evolo4.jpg
And these two are more just for refrence than anything.
3.bp.blogspot.com/_4OYGjUrdllo/Sm4HMCVuXfI/AAAAAAAAZpY/cly6NMYoSpQ/s400/MahaNakhon2.jpg
4.bp.blogspot.com/_4OYGjUrdllo/Sm4HMumdPfI/AAAAAAAAZpg/NMxXkmwde2g/s1600/MahaNakhon1.jpg
OOH OOH i could try draw this cover thou speakest of...
i just gotta know what the story is about first XDDDDDDDD
but yeah im willing to help...
540961 Thanks, and I think the second one is possibly usable, although it would also be abstractly related. (The problem is that all the structures are above ground, when one of the major definitions of the image is that it needs to be underground. I've been looking for stuff like facilities, underground bases, and underground caverns. Not too many satisfactory results. The best one I found was this:
fc00.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2011/241/d/7/d7e07131064956e5ee3e4a7e4a144e99-d489xdf.jpg
It's on deviantART though, and the absence of a 'download image' button and the presence of a a 'request as print' button shows that it is not a free-to-use picture.
540979 Okay... well that's a very cool offer, but I need to ask: what's your strength when it comes to drawing? Characters... landscapes...? That's kind-of important. I'nm very sorry to look a gift horse in the mouth, and I know I'm not exactly in a position to, but I feel that I still need to be concerned for the quality of the image.
541832 Alright, well I know a great refrence for underground bunkers and such. Half Life! Black Mesa to be exact!
thegeektrench.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/black-mesa-source.jpg
i3.ytimg.com/vi/naNsnlNFGyA/hqdefault.jpg
mediumdifficulty.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Black-Mesa-HQ1.jpg
A large portion of it is underground. Also, you can look at space stations and such for ideas, as they require basically the same things as an underground facility.
541856 Well, I'll look into the space station art, but Black Mesa is a big no-no. As much as I love that game, I'm not stealing game screenshots for my cover image. That does not produce an impression of quality.
541861 Oh I know, it's just for refrence in case you need some descriptions to go off of. Finding original artwork of things like this is incredibly hard. I usually just use metaphoric covers because I can't find one that actually fits the story.
541861
OK! My thought's real fast... You can justify the sky by, well you've played Halo 4. Think large projector! Boom your excuse for a sky under Canterlot...or magic...that works too. I AM SO EXITED FOR THE NEW FIC!!!
Also about the screenshots thing, if you're writing a crossover...
If you want, I'll build an image for you in Gsketch up. Simple 3D modeling isn't very hard. Just describe it for me.
Right...took a look...now IMAGES! GO!
lh4.googleusercontent.com/-UOEOhullZQI/T1vtHVNX2rI/AAAAAAAABLI/3faZDlqS3jE/s0/scev0.4_2.jpg
GC Dirty Old looking...mostly
jazzhostels.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/grand-central-station_cc.jpg
solis.darkpassage.com/below/newyork/07%20-%20Grand%20Central%20Terminal%20.jpg
i.ytimg.com/vi/JfN0TOyz4Ag/0.jpg
24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m9k055kssR1qa00nco1_1280.jpg
GC sand hog proj..
4.bp.blogspot.com/_X5vvzE4wJEk/SwWpnKuAqjI/AAAAAAAAFgM/U7f_YUgeoEk/s1600/LeVayCWT3.jpg
Futuristic
th01.deviantart.net/fs47/f/2009/189/5/c/Future_City_Concept_by_frenic.jpg
s3.roosterteeth.com/images/utopia46aef8c8e3807.jpg
4.bp.blogspot.com/-ubsC-3Rb-ZY/TqBiPXwU3FI/AAAAAAAAAOs/I9bS_y-PWZQ/s1600/Futuristic-Underground-Floo.jpg
tinselman.typepad.com/tinselman/images/underground_city_10.jpg
franciscossette.com/img/toturia3.jpg
Personal Faves:
d2f8dzk2mhcqts.cloudfront.net/0789_Marta_de_Andres/13.jpg
http://static.flickr.com/35/243532888_ebed58d989_o.jpg
Right...Destroyed City?
fc09.deviantart.net/fs46/f/2009/203/6/a/destroyed_city_by_damien6160.jpg
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IbA2nfk454s/UInDLvgYEZI/AAAAAAAAABE/4wCLWlhyFwk/s1600/Destroyed_City_by_Zasalamell.jpg
That's all I'll put for now...Can you tell me which category is the closest so I can specialize my searches? Also you could use an image of Dunwal...but you won't because you don't like screen shots...
542317 The ones in 'Personal Faves are looking the best right now - and I quite like the one which was just a link. (http://static.flickr.com/35/243532888_ebed58d989_o.jpg)... but I've also found something I like.
fc00.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2012/312/0/4/militarylab_by_fossmno-d5ke8yw.jpg
I'm looking into editing it slightly to make it less light, but I could also use it as-is. Opinions?
542371
Ah going for the futuristic look are we?
I think it looks cool, as for darkening it, I think that's unnecessary...
With the size the pic will end up being when it's in thumbnail form it won't really matter, although if you really wanted to...give me a min.
542387 Well, when I say darkening it, I meant removing the light patches from the background to better create the illusion that it's underground.
But you're right. It's also pretty good just as is.
All in all, I think I've found my art piece.
542419
plus.google.com/u/0/107056659172185571785/posts
in case that fails
LINK
I darkened it...
542458 That's REALLY good, BUT: and I really hate to be nitpicky Would we be able to change that green to a darkish pink/purple? (It is in the Canterlot Caverns, after all)
And I KNOW I shouldn't say this, but would it be able to be a little brighter? I don't want people thinking that this is a dark story.
This is all just me being nit-picky. You don't have to do it if you don't want to. This is just me trying to put up the best face of my story as possible.
542504
*Sigh*
For you Cloud...I'll give it a shot.
Let me just put on some epic music and what not
Link
Just need the finishing touches
LINK
Sorry if you don't like it...It's the best I can do, never had to recolor an image like that.
It was hard, but I Personally liked the end product, the real judge, however, is you.
So, rip it open, what sucks? (or is good, whatever floats your boat...)
542504
542970 I like it - although i didn't mean replace EVERYTHING with purple. That's a little excessive. I meant those three little areas of green. The rest was meant to just be rock.
But it doesn't matter. I think it still looks good, so I'll take it and leave you with my heartfelt thanks and apology for being so nit-picky.
543032
Should I change it?
543038 I'll leave that up to you. Personally, I think all that purple is a bit excessive, but I wouldn't feel right asking you to change it again, considering that you're doing this out of the kindness of your heart.
543044
I'm going to fix it now due to the fact that I think that's a challenge...
543051 Okay then. I'll refrain from dumping the story in the moderation queue then.
Thanks a bunch, Corvo. I'll make sure you get proper acknowledgement for this.
543068
LINK
The 'Less Purple' version...
Any other changes ya need?
I get to work with one of my favorite author AND I get credit for it?! OMG you are the best...
543128 Oh good god, now it's GLORIOUS.
Time to slap that on the story and send it away for the mods!
543145
Ever need help, whether it be creative criticism or image editing...
You know who to call...
GHOST-BUSTERS!
Or you could call me...that works too.