C&C welcome. Not sure if I should include the title on the shirt somewhere, or whether to leave it subtle.

Leave it subtle. It gives smart people the chance to laugh at people who don't get it :o)

True, true.

Keep it, it adds more to the joke. Maybe put it on a label.

No!!!! The picture speaks for itself. It doesn't need explaining with a label. Really like the artwork by the way.

Thanks. Ok, so who's chosen 'needs work' but hasn't commented? Grrr.

Dude, Sparra, just because your critique was plagued by unnecessary text, doesn't mean nobody else should have text. I think having "For Sale: Bonsai Tree, Large" on a sign planted next to it would make it a lot funnier. Hell, that sign would be funny if it was just next to an ordinary picture of a tree.

Vinde, no seriously I think this is a REALLY lovely design. It's beautifully drawn and the rendering has a wonderful sublety to it. My design does not compare to this piece of work at all and I certainly would not critique someones work based upon comments made on mine. I'm NOT that petty. I thought the idea here was to give your opinion and lets face it everyones is different. I personally like this without text but I appreciate that you opinion differs. In the end NYC will take all the comments and make up his own mind on what he feels works best.

Oh and NYC - my apologies to you if my opinion offended you in any way, that was not the intent. I've been looking at some of your work and I'm impressed by it. I don't prfess to be an expert in T-shirt design, I just know what I like.

Woah woah woah ladies. Allow me to please both of you simultaneously, as it were =)



Version with sign and text coming right up...

As promised

Hit us with it mate...still want to see it :o)

Hey I might make Vinde's day and change my mind re the text! LOL!

Lol, I didn't mean to be so contentious!

I like it with the sign. :)

No, you haven't offended me at all. You don't post a design for critique unless you're ready for criticism. V2 posted.

Okay...if you don't mind me saying I do find the white a bit glaring. I was liking the more subtle colouring. I will agree with Vinde though that maybe the small tag idea would look good. Just coming off the end of the pot like a price tag. If you want the text that might be a better way to have it so it's not such a focal point on the shirt?

I agree the white's a bit glaring and it could look more organic (maybe some hint of grass growing at the bottom of the sign) but I'm not sure how it could be changed without going over the colour limit.

I was originally going to make the sign the light green but then changed my mind. I like the price tag idea. Leave it with me.

Yeah I think that sign sort of unbalances the composition. And the lines seem a little harsh on the eye - not in keeping with the rest of the piece. But over to you!

Oh and Vinde don't worry about it lovey. I've yet to meet an 18 year old who has fully mastered 'tact' yet :o)

how's this?

Nice! Text on the label seems a little bit odd though, I think it needs bit more spacing out...

Yes, like that loads better than the sign. :o)

Not going to comment on the text though. I don't know much about types faces and the suchlike

Yeah, the text was just a quick thing. It's all about tweaking.

Tweak away! I guess it's just a matter of trying some fonts and stuff till you hit on one you like (I'm pretty rubbish with choosing fonts myself)

This is a really cute idea, and I love the design. I'm not so sure about the placement, though... But I'm really fond of lower corner placements.

I don't think the concept of a large bonsai tree is really very strong for the "joke" of a tshirt design.

jpiatt, you are of course entitled to your opinion (even if it is wrong ;) )



Update coming in 2 secs, placement and font alternatives.

I'm liking the corner placement.

I like it off - centre :o)

I can believe it...oh, the t-shirt! I see.



;)

I think this is ready to sub, I like the sign, the font, and the drawing is beautiful.



http://www.threadless.com/critique/3829/Sea_Dragon#v2

;o)



Design is looking really really good. You happy with it yourself?

Jimmy carr. nice work

like the font of the tag

Yeah, I'm pretty happy with it. Might wait for a few more crits before I push it. You never know when some genius will drop in and make a life-changing statement.

I wouldn't hold your breath waiting for the genuis to arrive :o)

Good luck with this though - I hope it does well for you

Using vector-generating programs (Streamline, Illustrator's Livetrace) on photos that you probably didn't take never look good. Get a sketchbook, get a bonsai tree, do some sketches of it and try to break apart the visual elements. Work with stylization only after you can draw it realistically. Then maybe you'll be ready to scan and take into Illustrator and create the vector by hand.

Different tee color. Maybe creme or a lighter blue? The color you have now just isn't doing it for me.

Um, yeah. Third result when doing a Google search for "bonsai tree".

Who the frick wants to waste time hand-drawing a bonsai tree? The ends justify the means, my friend.

Yeah, I'm liking that a lot now.