Fire / Photoshop / Icon

[CysticCraze]

Ok so im making icons, freehand, just to get some concepts straight, and I noticed fire is common in alot of icons so I decided Id try and do some fire. Anyhows, its crap(Below). And Id like suggestions on what would make (this specific) image look more like fire, is it red color, formation, or all of it? This is more of a personal opinion so rip my painting apart and tell me what makes it so aweful and the reason it DOESNT look like fire. (hopefully some good photoshop"ists" will give me some pointers for freehanding this sorta thing, but all suggestions are welcomed.) +rep to those comments that make coherent sense =D

Ive done fire like this (behind the bird).

But I think i used filters and that doesnt really make it freehand.

 

[Azlier]

Looks more like a river of honey seen from a bird's eye view, actually. Needs more sudden spikes and red... Fire is unpredictable!

 

[CysticCraze]

Thanks for the oppinion, so more spasmotic activity and red. got it. +rep

Anyone else?

 

[Kazuga]

Agree with Azlier.

A tip for a good tutorial for creating fire in photoshop would be this one. Even though it's more for text etc it works great for other objects too.

 

[CysticCraze]

awesome ty, +rep

 

[CysticCraze]

1.

2.

3.

Which one of these look the best? And do any of them look like fire?



Crap sorry double post.

 

[Azlier]

I wouldn't say its fire, but I suppose they make decent magma icons .

 

[CysticCraze]

Lol still not here yet I must prevail =D

Should I work towards something liek this?

 

[Azlier]

I suggest looking at the Rain of Fire icon. It's a good point of reference.

 

[CysticCraze]

Time and Time again, I think I have finally got it.

 

[MurderMode]

Fire needs to be a little more crazy then that, it's shape is always changing. Also, I find it's best to start the base of the fire with black (the fires origin and where the smoke would be coming from) moving up to lighter highlights at the top. Also giving it sharp edges doesn't look too fiery, it needs to blur a little into the background to give the effect it is semi-transparent. I quickly redrew your concept to give you an idea -

 

[CysticCraze]

Dude, sweet. Thats entirley freehand or did you use i-warp or liquify?

I attempted it but didnt spend more than 3 mins, dont have the time right now.

Didnt really spend time on making it transparent or makign the edges more blured.