It's another attempt with backrounds Because she was sleeping, she couldn't control the natural light that surrounded her. Xayide spotted her from far away in the misty forest and came running to where she was. Xayide had been searching for faeries all day. Poor Xayide was so blinded by the light, she didn't see the other faeries hiding in the fog..especially the one casting the protection spell on the sleeping faery.

Uthena, love the background and the pic overall is great. Your Xayide is quite enchanting looking and the texture for the dress is very nice. The sleeping faery is perfect, and the aura (magic spell) around her is very good. I find the the three faeries to the left a bit distractin. The one in the right front corner blends well with the picture. The one in blue kneeling casting the spell seems to stand out a bit strong, and the other two on the left just seem out of place to me in the pic. I am not sure why, perhaps its has something to do with the pose (for the two) and something to do with the color tone (for the three) compared to the other figures and background. Not even sure you were asking for feedback on this, so hope I have helped and not offended. Rob

THanks Rob Actually that was what I wanted. Oh and BTW I am almost done with the texture map for the unicorn. I found it looks kinda like the purple one, which I just now found in free stuff. Only, mine's pink with a gold horn.

Great! Can't wait to see it. Also, I think when you get this one done it is going to be really super. Hopefully some of the more experienced members will pipe in with a comment or two that may prove more helpful and insightful than my two cents worth. Rob

I'm actually thinking about just taking out all the other faeries and leaving just Xayide and the sleeper.

That might work. I did think about that at the start but was afraid that it might alter the scene more than you wanted. Also, I am not sure that it won't leave the scene too empty. I guess all you can do is try it and see what you think. In some ways I think the extra faeries add to the pic, it is just that the three on the left don't seem to fit in right is all. But I have said all that. So I'm no real help. I guess it's hair pulling time. :o) Rob

That background is incredible. It looks like it's cold there. I have to agree with the faeries on the left. The one in front looks too much like she's saying "Hi, Mom!" to the camera. She shouldn't be looking directly at the camera. It's kind of like actors on TV or movies. They never look directly into the camera. Divert her attention in another direction. She shouldn't be acknowledging her audience. I think this would make a big difference. Give her something to do. She looks great, but she's idle. Faeries are busy little folk, they all need to be doing something. Also, these are all girls, where are the boys? They need some males in their faerie community. Melanie

I have to agree, the background is very nice . Here is what I would try: (bear in mind these are just suggestions and it is your piece not mine :) So if you don't like them , just toss them out the window LOL!!!) The two larger fairies in the foreground...I'd get rid of the fairy on the left, and make the one on the right a tad smaller and maybe fade her out a bit....change her pose, as Melanie said, give her something to do..the smaller one on the far left I would get rid of also.... The little blue one that is casting the spell, just mist her a bit and she will blend in better. Bring some mist further into the pic, perhaps at the bottom around Xayide's dress, to give a feel of her coming out of the misty forest into the fairy clearing...Xayide is very enchanting, but she looks just a bit "out there" compared to the background.... This will be really awesome when you are finished, it's a really great start! As my friend shadownet is always telling me "play, experiment, let your mind go!!!" Deb

I don't know about Uthena, Steve, but I'd love to have it. This is a great looking background, and fake 3d just sounds pretty cool! Rob

I agree, I would love to have it too!

What a pretty dress she's wearing! The background looks very much like where faeries would live. And the sleeping faerie is precious. The faeries closer in are a bit distracting from what's happening in the scene. Maybe if they were back where the others are, partly hidden. You might try changing your lights around, and you can probably get just the right tone to magically blend them into the background. For example, the lighting on Xayide is very well done and fits perfectly the surrounding ambient light, with just a faint glow from the sleeping faerie. Use the same light set rendering the others in the composite and see what happens. Just a suggestion :o) Thorne =};-}>