Discussion of the Week: Textures

[Dragonfly]

I've noticed that a lot of people have difficulty with using textures, so I though this would be a good topic.

What are some different ways to use textures?
What should you not do with textures?
How much is too much?
What are some of your favorite sources?
What are your favorite kind of textures?

Again, these questions are just some guidelines to get things going. You don't have to follow them.

 

[GeekLove<3]

What are some different ways to use textures? Use them as backgrounds. I've used them for a title base as well.

What should you not do with textures? Over use them.

How much is too much? When the texture over rides the picture. If the first thing you notice about the art is the texture, it's too much.

What are some of your favorite sources? Deviant art.

What are your favorite kind of textures? I love the fun textures. Polka dots and bright stripes. I don't use those as much, but they're still fun. I mainly use simple textures; neutral. Also the out-of-focused lights are really great.

 

[shazza_018]

I don't use textures alot, I have alot of difficulty when it comes to using them, I do prefer light textures, I don't usually use textures as a background, I always seem to make some mistake when doing that so I just don't do it :lol:.

 

[starzsgirl]

In my honest opinion sometimes textures are overused. But then again I like icons that are on the plain side and can speak for themselves, per say.

Being into the art world most professors teach that over doing something doesn't always make it better, like laying texture or other effects sometimes makes the subject disappear; thus losing the point of an icon, painting, etc.

 

[roximonoxide]

That depends what you consider a texture really... Some people call light/colour masks "light textures" frankly I think all my best graphics use at least one "texture" of some sort.

 

[fo_poozle]

i personally, LOVE textures. i use them all the time(probably even too much sometimes ha) but i think they are great i almost always use atleast one also. sometimes the aren't noticeable because i just use them as kind of a color fill layer.
i mostly use them as backgrounds except for lighttextures, i think those are great to use especially one black and white icons.
i love deviant art, and if you just search around on livejournal, you can find some really awesome textures.

 

[Urban Legend]

What are some different ways to use textures? I use textures just to give a little more to an icon, or sometimes I use them to simply make an icon (or something on the icon) pop/stand out. Plain icons are nice too, but textures make them more eye catching, not everyone wants a plain icon but they're nice to see them if they're not too plain and colored well.
What should you not do with textures? Don't let textures appear on all of your icons, it's never fun to have all of your icons looking the same. The same thing goes with font, they're both nice and all just don't over use the same font/texture over and over.
How much is too much? when the texture blends in with the subject, it just makes the icon ugly also using a lot of textures on one icon can have it very cluttered.
What are some of your favorite sources? http://community.livejournal.com/texturize/
What are your favorite kind of textures? Black and white and Light

 

[heartcore]

i really love using textures, though i dont use textures in every icon i make!
it really depends on the pictures i use...sometimes it just looks better the natural way.
but i would say i like textures (like, the real textures you put over an icon, nut just an effect)...
i even have tons of them saved here on my pc

 

[cathwillows]

I haven't always been a friend of textures. But I like using them now. Light textures are my favs because just a tiny light effect can add so much to an icon.

I'd refrain from using textures, especially overwhelming ones, on close-ups. The person, etc should be the eye-catcher, not the texture. When using them, textures should only complete the icon.

Icons, or any other kinds of art, don't always require textures. Plain and simple ones can look really great with the right coloring, cropping, etc.

I don't really have a favorite source...I use textures I find on the internet, be it from tutorials, Livejournals or something like that...or I make them myself.