[WIP] space scene

well i used apophysis for the nebula/explsion but I can't seem to get the planets right... mybe the nebula's too complex...

http://img363.imageshack.us/img363/8...e1016pw.th.jpg

i think the planets need the lighting that is seen on most space art, where you only see part of it. it would help a lot in this situation because of where the explosion / nebula is. give its a little more realistic effect.

Maybe you should try Rabie's tutorial for the planets. I think you should also add a few stars on the corners. Make a huge planet and insert on the bottom left. The bottom left looks sort of weird. Maybe it's just me.

i like the colors - i just think there is too much goin on here

yep the planet looks bit flat and they need the lightning/shading, also add more colors to it, that will surely helop though, but anywayy i like a lot that fractal :)

If you use fractals in your space art and want to make it look realistic, try to erase the sharp lines and make it look dirty. You could also try to brush some with a textured round soft brush to create a less smother texture for your nebula. In this case, it's very grainy already, but it only looks like you rendered it in low quality. :/

The planets need atmospheres and shading. Remember that the shading must be pretty hard since the light is hard. When you want to create a strong lightsource, you use hard shading for the planets, instead of just filling the entire screen with white. If you use soft shading for the planets, the lightsource will look weak no matter how much white you put in there. The same goes for atmospheres. They react on light, so they get stronger if there is a strong lightsource.

I'd say try Alyn's planet tutorial. It is very good and makes you understand how a planet "works". I don't follow all the steps in his tutorial; you don't have to. You can get the same results anyway.
http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/11885274/

Keep working on this one, it might turn out really nice in the end! :)

hmm yeah, are those brushes?

i'm not too keen onthe whole fractal space stuff .. when it's all abstract like that it's not my thing but it's ncie what you did except the only htin i can comment on is the planets which i think could do with some more work?

thanx for the help guys :)