Thumbnail Critique-a-thon

[paperwren]

I would like to see something that emphasizes both of their wings more, the colour pallette means flares got lost for me, I didn't realize she had wings until I started reading your comic. Maybe a split down the middle and a front view that's mirrored on them both to emphasize the duality? So they're both facing forward and you just see half of each of them but mirrored.

Or you could do more back to back with their wings wrapping around each of them. You're pretty good at drawing wings, especially some of the feathered ones, so the thumb would be a good place to show it off a bit more. With the back to back you could even emphasize the height difference and have the guys eyes cut off so he's more mysterious, but have her full profile in frame.

Also you can probably get away with not having BS in your frame, Burning Shadows is a great comic title but given that it's initials are also the short form of something else it's a little distracting.

[paperwren]

Haha I like it, I kinda like... Expect him to have chest hair with his shirt open that much? Like that dials up the sleeze factor for me (chest hair is great no offense intended to people with chest hair). Also I find the red background jarring with the rest of the pallette which isn't necessarily bad, I get why you chose it thematically. Maybe fooling around with it so it's not just a flat colour? Or slightly saturate the colours? Or a Miami style sunset? The whole thing is just making me think of Miami by Baxter Dury haha but you've only got two pages up so tone wise I might be way off. Also that is a super profane and weird song as a warning if you look it up D: but the music video aesthetic is interesting.

[Chita]

@kainatarma Thank you so much for the kind words, and for the nice suggestions, they’re very helpful really!! I’ll try to work on the logo as well!

@paperwren Those two are great ideas! Thank you so much for your help!! Also I didn’t notice the BS thing, whoops

[JeanGuillet]

just got around to updating my thumbnail based on you guys' suggestions. thanks so much!

[paperwren]

That looks really good! A lot more interesting with the increase in contrast, and I get much more of a magical vibe now.

[Zaboem]

BS?

Uuuum, I am not sure that is what you are wanting to convey. Could you possibly abbreviate the series name in any other way? Could you fit BURN SHAD into that space, or go with just the visuals and no text?

Otherwise, I like it.

[Reign]

This is my thumbnail. Tom is the main character, and everything, just about, that happens, revolves around him. This is the art for the banner, and was kind of just a place holder thumbnail. But I was hoping to create something that looks like it could be light hearted, funny, and family-friendly.

Tom and Shelldon | Tapas

[Chita]

Thanks, I'll keep that in mind. I was doubting wether I should remove the BS thing but now you've helped me made up my mind, thank u!!

[paperwren]

I think you are already getting the character's personality across. I would definitely include the snail in the thumb as well even if he hasn't shown up in your comic yet because a) from the sketches you posted at the beginning he's very cute and likely will be a draw, and b) I looked at your thumb and then the title of your comic and was like...who's shelldon though.

The thumb you have now is pretty clearly warped in how it's been resized. Since you work traditionally it might be a good idea to draw yourself a square on a piece of paper (dimensions would be x (inches) where x = 300/[scanner dpi], assuming dpi is the same as ppi which I think it is...? Someone correct me if I'm wrong). If you make it that size or bigger on each side it should give you an image that works at 300 by 300 pixels without having to resize.

Other than those two things seems pretty solid. Play up that snail cuteness man. I am all about cute snails.

[simplykit]

cool idea friend, i agree

the thumbnail says a lot about your comic

heres mine:

ma aim: to incorporate a feeling of fantasy , adventure and mystery

my manga

Blood Soul Buffet :: Blood Soul Buffet pages 1-3 | Tapas

[Reign]

Those are all amazing pointers! I'll work on that! Thanks!

[Reign]

Your thumbnail definitely gives off mystery! I see the dude in the back with the red eye, and I wonder, "Ooh, who is that guy? He looks like he's up to no good." The shading on people's faces also shrouds their actual looks, so that adds to it more. Not to mention we've got, who I'm assuming is the main character, not showing his face, but his weapon of choice.
I'd say it looks good. I have to look at it for a minute because there's a lot to look at. I'm not sure if that's a bad thing or not. But it does convey what you're going for! Also, his sword goes up the middle and points toward the castle. Not sure if that's where you're wanting the reader to look, but it's a good guide for the eyes.

[naito_official]

My thumbnail and a link to the series, I'm always open to feedback!

Canticle: Code Caligula | Tapas

[Zaboem]

I feel that this thumbnail is good but not great. The colors have a nice contrast, but a lot of the image is dark grey which is not eye-grabbing. The name Canticle is easy enough to read, just a little small and dark in parts. The MC's expression is poker faced which is not a problem, but it does miss an opportunity to express some of his personality. It's not bad.

[DasIstWunderblyat]

@simplykit19

Great inkwork on your cover! The style reminds me of Berserk and indeed gives reader mysterious and dark fantasy feel. It also gives reader idea about what kind of graphic they'll be seeing, and would it be colored or not.

The only thing is while I think the composition, intricate linework, and shading are brilliant in large scale; yet all the details and entirerity of the composition might not be conveyed in small display of thumbnail.

It looks like this on mobile site

And even looks smaller on desktop site (already zoomed)

Compare with other series from your library, see the difference?

(I apologise to creators shown in this image if you don't want your work or name displayed)

I think zooming in the cover image used and crop it at that size might help, refocusing it to a single character or small portion of it may also help. Giving clear boundaries between characters or an effort to make them more distinguishable in small scale is a good idea, such as adding different colored outline or color the character

[DasIstWunderblyat]

Small tips:
Check how your cover is doing on the small size. Resize the image to 100x100 pixel then 300x300 pixel, and view it at 100% size (or just zoom it out to reach such size).
Stare at it until it penetrates deep into your soul and check:

• Can I tell what is going on there or portrayed there? (Especially in 100x100)
• Can I read whatever the writing is written on? (Especially on the 300x300)
• Does it convey what it supposed to be in this smaller size?

Because sometimes scaling down the drawing can do considerable deal of rendering some parts intangible or perceived differently (like in optical illusion)

[JeanGuillet]

I love the colors in this. My main critique is that I can't read the series logo text at all in the thumbnail. Is it necessary to have the series title in the thumbnail when it's already listed next to the thumbnail by the app and site? If you really want it there, I'd suggest using a light color that contrasts with the dark tones of the background

[simplykit]

woooh! im glad you like it buddy

thanks for your feedback

well.. i dont wanna give out any spoilers to my manga but:

the thumb does show you some characters that are critical to the story

but... " they're not who you think they are"

that's all i can say for now (mystery)

[simplykit]

thank you so much for you feedback kainatarma chan

haha yeah your right

actually i didn't think much of my thumbnail

i gotta make sure to update it in the future

there is one thing i wanted to hint the readers on with this image

lets just say, theres a "twist" on the meaning of this image which greatly impacts the story

[Carossmo]

This is so gorgeous omg :''D