Schmidt
Adventurer
Lord of the Bargain
All for one, one for all, every man for himself!
Posts: 1,330 
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Post by Schmidt on Mar 9, 2014 18:11:57 GMT -8
Hey all,
In an effort to get some content to this board, I would like a critique on one of my latest builds. I actually do want some genuine critique on the foliage please.
In this build, the look I am going for is a dense, lush, forested environment. Here are my questions.
How does the foliage look? Is there enough of a variety? Does it look authentic? What could I do to make this forest "denser?" If I raised added some plates to the back of the forest, and make the plants taller, would that help me to achieve the effect?
Thoughts and comments are greatly appreciated! |
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Post by Erathor Pridenar on Mar 9, 2014 21:40:38 GMT -8
I was just about to say that you should make some taller plants at the back! It's pretty thick foliage anyway, but it would be improved if the plants were taller, giving the impression that there was a huge forest behind the scene. I think it may become a bit more ominous that way. Great build, anyhow!
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Post by Takkata on Mar 10, 2014 9:51:05 GMT -8
I think it looks really great except for a few missing stacks of grass stems in the back, also removing the Christmas trees would look a lot better to me, unless you have some excuse to why people sheer trees in the forest  |
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Schmidt
Adventurer
Lord of the Bargain
All for one, one for all, every man for himself!
Posts: 1,330
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Post by Schmidt on Mar 10, 2014 10:14:31 GMT -8
Thanks guys, for the responses! Ieuan, I am glad to receive confirmation on placing some taller plants in the back. I was quite satisfied with the build once I photographed it, but afterwards I felt it needed some depth. Thanks for the advice! takkata, I placed the Christmas trees in because I felt they made it fill a little more "fuller" and "dense," but I do feel like you. There probably shouldn't be perfectly trimmed/shorn trees in the midst of such mindless foliage  More grass stems in the back section would help improve the density too, I think. Thanks guys! |
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Rifiröfi
Outlaws
Wolfgang has gone into hibernation indefinitely...
Posts: 78
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Post by Rifiröfi on Mar 10, 2014 14:22:45 GMT -8
The variety of the foliage is enough, maybe even too much. I live in a city but I don't think that you find all kind of trees in one area of the forest  You get some bonus points for trying new techniques like the smaller trees made of those plants with big leaves even though I am not fond of the left one, it looks strange. Your idea of adding more plates to increase the depth is great, you could use the extra space to add more plants like the good old grass stems and some bushes. Hope that helps! Cheers Adam |
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Schmidt
Adventurer
Lord of the Bargain
All for one, one for all, every man for himself!
Posts: 1,330
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Post by Schmidt on Mar 10, 2014 17:18:53 GMT -8
Hey Adam,
Thanks for the critique. I actually live right beside a very forested mountain, and I tried to replicate a few of the various tree styles I saw. Then again, perhaps I have went too much with the variety, like you have mentioned.
I really liked the leaf tree on the left where the bright green leaves are upside down, but in retrospect, I think the one on the left is just ugly and realistic. I do not think I will be using a style similar to that again. Like you said, it just looks strange.
Thanks for your comments!
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Post by Sir Edwyn on Mar 10, 2014 19:17:37 GMT -8
Looking good! I would eliminate those prefab trees also, though. Maybe if you extended the base in the back by 10 or so studs, it would give you more room for some taller trees.
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AK_Brickster
Innkeeper
Scouting the Lenfel Border
Posts: 3,272
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Post by AK_Brickster on Mar 10, 2014 20:23:05 GMT -8
I was going to echo what Adam said. The variety almost seems like too much to me. Most forests will have 2-3 dominant plant species, with a few others scattered in. I think picking two main plant types and then adding a few smaller different ones for variety would be even more realistic.
Overall, I think you did a nice job with it, though.
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David
Minstrel
Working on Site Details and gathering resources.
Posts: 113
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Post by David on Mar 10, 2014 20:46:21 GMT -8
What I think would be great is some contrasting colors on your forest floor. What about a covering of dark green leaves also some dark green spines for contrast as well. I find that varying colors can really create that dense look. The one thing I see missing is the bamboo leaves. These coupled with the 3 stem elements are really great for adding ground cover.
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kayne
Garheim
Champion of Fishes
Garheim....even our women have beards
Posts: 57
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Post by kayne on Mar 18, 2014 8:11:38 GMT -8
What I think would be great is some contrasting colors on your forest floor. What about a covering of dark green leaves also some dark green spines for contrast as well. I find that varying colors can really create that dense look. The one thing I see missing is the bamboo leaves. These coupled with the 3 stem elements are really great for adding ground cover. This is what I was thinking. I see alot of Green, but throwing in a little Bright Green or Dark Green as accents on the forest floor could add a lot to the depth. As far as density for the entire forest look, I think you did about as good as you could considering the depth of the baseplates. If it were 10 studs deeper, you could have acheived more depth, but with the MOC footprint I think anymore than what you did would be too distracting and busy. |
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mpoh98
Brawl Masters
Brawl Master
Lord of the Oakleaf Order, Creator and Lord of The Order of Aithellon
Posts: 241
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Post by mpoh98 on Mar 18, 2014 10:15:49 GMT -8
Looking good! I like it! I agree the kayne and Sir Edwyn. Can't wait to see another build!
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Schmidt
Adventurer
Lord of the Bargain
All for one, one for all, every man for himself!
Posts: 1,330
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Post by Schmidt on Mar 22, 2014 10:00:46 GMT -8
Thanks guys, for the additional comments. I think a dark green floor would look a tad more realistic. These are great suggestions I plan to implement in future foliage builds. Thanks!
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You get some bonus points for trying new techniques like the smaller trees made of those plants with big leaves even though I am not fond of the left one, it looks strange.
