Hi Friends,
Here are some ladybugs I've been working on. I think they're pretty close to being finished. But I would love to hear any comments you might have -- areas that aren't working, or just could benefit from some improvements.

The 1st one is intended as an icon for a webpage.

I'm not sure about shading and highlights for this purpose, but I would like for it not to be flat, yet not to look like a real bug. To give myself some perspective on how I don't want it to look, then I made one to look like a real ladybug. Here it is:

Now, I know it doesn't really look like a real ladybug, but it's the best I've gotten it so far. For some reason, which I would love to understand better, it looks better as a larger image, like this:

I wonder if anyone knows of any articles or essays on creating really small images? I find that as long as there's an option to zoom, I zoom! But then sometimes I put things into the zoomed image, and work hard to get it just right, that once it's reduced back down to size, doesn't look anything like it does when zoomed, or sometimes aren't even visible. For example, the notch at the "tail" area of the ladybug. I can see a notch when I look at real ladybugs. And in the larger image, it appears relatively as I would like. But in the small one, that notch can't even be seen, or maybe just barely, if you have good eyes.

So, any and all comments welcomed and appreciated. Thanks for your help

Thanks SWN, I had seen that before.

One thing you might have picked up from the guide SWN linked is that when working with very small (16x16) images you sometimes need to "fake it". You need to manipulate your image on a pixel-by-pixel basis which may look rubbish at larger sizes but look good at the smaller size. With images that are a little larger (say 32x32) in most cases it's safe to stick to using the pixel grid. Checkout this tutorial for how to do this - http://mso-chronicles.blogspot.com/2008 ... icons.html

Also, View > Icon Preview is your friend. It's far easier than zooming in and out continously.

... and another tip for your lady bug is to use shadows in addition to hilights.

I think the head is too small...

Thanks for the link, micro. I look forward to reading it. You mentioned manipulating the image pixel by pixel, which I do quite often with The GIMP. But I didn't think you could do that in Inkscape. Are you suggesting raster type apps are better for making smaller images?

Also, I did use shadows, although apparently not with good results. Regarding the black parts, is there a trick to making shadows, other than making really good highlights. I realize the highlights in the black parts aren't quite right. It's going to need some tricky gradients, I think.

Icon Preview....aaaaahh! I hadn't noticed it. I'll definitely try it!

Well SWN, there are many different species of ladybugs. I did this work from memory, without any reference material. So the head you see is how I remember. I don't think I've ever seen a ladybug with white spots on head. I do think the head could be less round -- without a neck -- yes, that I do recognize. Which is not to say I don't appreciate your comments....indeed, I'm grateful -- thanks for the pic! Maybe losing the neck would help.

Thanks for your comments guys!
Much appreciated

brynn wrote:You mentioned manipulating the image pixel by pixel, which I do quite often with The GIMP. But I didn't think you could do that in Inkscape. Are you suggesting raster type apps are better for making smaller images?

No, I'm suggesting defining shapes in a way that [a]ffects what you will see at normal zoom. This illustrates exactly what I mean.

Hi again,
Well, I've made what I hope are improvements. But I'm really struggling with the black areas. Giving dimension to a completely black object is probably a little too advanced for me. But now that I've put so much time into it, I really would like to have something to show for it, ya know?

So I'm hoping someone (or more) can offer me some advice on taking a completely black object, like these ladybug wings, and giving them some form and dimension. Here's what I've got so far, but it's really not working for me. Any suggestions for improving them?


With much appreciation

PS - ignore the little blue square - forgot to delete it

i think you r giving a good bevel effect
but my opinion is to give it some bright color

Uh, no Early, sadly there are no children in my life, at present.
Maybe "ladybugs" is some new slang for who-knows-what, among the juvies?

microUgly wrote:

Off topic:

Ok, so I removed the offending posts. I was going to leave them because they were harmless and they made me smile Now I feel like a fuddy-duddy

That's why I left them the other day, figured I'd let someone else be the fuddy duddy

I like your ladybug but I think you can make a few tweaks to make it look stronger. If you smooth out the top wing where it joins with the head. Give it the same round curve as your other wing so they meet at a final point. The red body could be brighter and have more depth to it. Maybe getting rid of the grey/white effect over it will help.

I really like where you're going with this little guy, can't wait to see it finished.