RNH 93: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins Wallpaper (Update: Now available for download!)
Just purchased a new mouse a week ago so I was finally able to play around in Photoshop after a looong hiatus. Thought I would create something Oilers-related which surprisingly I've never done before. Started Googling around for some high-res photos, really wanted an action shot, but then I stumbled upon this amazing photo of RNH: http://blogimages.thescore.com/nhl/f...011/10/rnh.jpg (if anyone has any high-res photos like that one of any Oilers player, please send them my way! I would love to create a wallpaper featuring 4-93-14)
Btw I was actually very high on Larsson prior to the draft, even tweeted that the Oilers would no way pick RNH with their pick. Boy was I wrong; RNH's play this season has turned me into a believer so much so that he's now my favorite Oiler! I searched but didn't see any RNH wallpapers around except for the one at the official Oilers site so here's my contribution:
1280x800 preview
Sorry about posting only the 800x600 but I'm not entirely finished. I still need to touch up on some mistakes but other than that, it's going to remain pretty simple. I'm willing to hear any suggestions on how I can improve it though. Also what sizes are you guys looking for? I originally designed this 16:9 widescreen format at 3000x1688 pixels so I should be able to modify it for most monitors.
Fun stats... File size: 154MB; Photoshop layers: 165; Sleepless nights: 2; Time spent: 2 days.
Some close-ups on the details:
Update 12.12.11
Wallpaper is finally complete and available for download!
I think fans are actually more excited about Nuge, but Hall was the first number one pick. Hall might have been overhyped because of that.
To be clear I do not mean to insult him by that, I just mean that because he was the Oilers very first number 1 pick and the whole Taylor vs. Tyler battle.
Holy ****ing **** dude. I wish I could make stuff like that.
Do you have any plans to sell printed copies? I'd pay money to have a big framed version of that to put in my basement.
Also would you mind explaining why there are so many layers? I don't have any background in graphic design at all. I googled layers and have a really basic understanding but 160+ seems crazy.
I'm not from Edmonton but the impression the CBC/TSN/Sportsnet guys give is:
Gretzmania = 10
Hallmania Last year = 5
Nugemania = 7-8
Last year the Oilers made an effort to keep the national media from focusing too much on Hall (example: he wasn't on After Hours until halfway through the season, while Nuge was on the very first week). They also made sure it was almost always Hall + Eberle + Paajarvi. With the Nuge we weren't even sure he was making the team so the Edmonton fans were less excited. Obviously now we're pretty psyched.
I find it interesting that Hall avoided the whole "I hate him just because the media pays attention to him" thing that plagues guys like Crosby, whereas Nuge hasn't. Yes, CBC/TSN/Snet are excited about him ... but the kid has 30 points in 28 games as a skinny 18-year-old! That IS exciting! It's not like they're over-hyping an average player. Who knows how his career turns out, but what he's doing right now deserves the attention.
RNH isnt as flashy as Hall and fan reaction reflects it.
Media is more crazy about him then the fans here.
That's the impression I got. I'm just working off the Ontario media and not any personal experience with Edmonton fans (there would be bandwagon Oilers fans in Toronto, but the Leafs are doing pretty well themselves ). Actually, I maintain that Toronto is one of the worst cities for bandwagons. You have no idea how many times I've seen people go from wanting to sleep with a Leaf to not being able to name the team's scoring leader, based on their current trend. But perhaps it's just because we have such a large quantity of "fans" that it's so noticeable.
Settle down the gaussian blur on his arm and make the player focal point a little sharper.
i really like it, though.
I made the one on his right arm a tad more intense because I wanted to brighten up that side of the body, especially the right leg and butt of the stick. But you're right, a lot of the lighting seems a bit off so definitely a work in progress.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Silver
Wow, nice work. You did that without a tablet?
I'm ****ing impressed.
I sure wish I had a Wacom tablet. Working with a mouse can be awkward at times
Quote:
Originally Posted by 5RingsAndABeer
Holy ****ing **** dude. I wish I could make stuff like that.
Do you have any plans to sell printed copies? I'd pay money to have a big framed version of that to put in my basement.
Also would you mind explaining why there are so many layers? I don't have any background in graphic design at all. I googled layers and have a really basic understanding but 160+ seems crazy.
I never designed for print before so no idea how it would look on paper. I think I need to use different settings in Photoshop too (much higher dpi, CMYK colors instead of RGB, no idea what I'm talking about haha); now that it's almost finished, I'm not sure if I can convert it to be print-ready
Haha yeah 160 is crazy, but one of those ribbon things alone uses about 20+ layers so it really adds up!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Oi'll say!
OP - maybe you could add some vapour trails coming off his skates, or big flamemarks where he just scorched the ice with his blades.
Thanks for that idea, it is definitely something I will try to incorporate.
I can't do stuff like you have but I have graphic-design experience (not computer). I'd make the player bigger to fill more of the space and have the other stuff smaller in relation to the player. Maybe have the trail thinner but extend further back. Great job. I'm assuming we may use this as a phone background if we want?
Wow, never knew tablets were sold for so cheap! Thanks for sharing
Quote:
Originally Posted by MoneyGuy
I can't do stuff like you have but I have graphic-design experience (not computer). I'd make the player bigger to fill more of the space and have the other stuff smaller in relation to the player. Maybe have the trail thinner but extend further back. Great job. I'm assuming we may use this as a phone background if we want?
For sure, I am actually working on creating different versions for phones and tablets
I made the one on his right arm a tad more intense because I wanted to brighten up that side of the body, especially the right leg and butt of the stick. But you're right, a lot of the lighting seems a bit off so definitely a work in progress.
:
It looks a lot better now, and it looked great before.
Boy was I wrong; RNH's play this season has turned me into a believer so much so that he's now my favorite Oiler! I searched but didn't see any RNH wallpapers around except for the one at the official Oilers site so here's my contribution:
). Actually, I maintain that Toronto is one of the worst cities for bandwagons. You have no idea how many times I've seen people go from wanting to sleep with a Leaf to not being able to name the team's scoring leader, based on their current trend. But perhaps it's just because we have such a large quantity of "fans" that it's so noticeable.
