Placing characters in backgrounds

[Sharp]

Hey guys, I need some help here. I was trying to create some artwork for a card game i'm making.

and i was creating the first card just for a test. I found a nice character and a nice background that fits it.

Now i wanted to place the character into the background and make it look natural...

i came up with the file in the attachment

I'm SUURE somebody can give me some tips or tutorials in this question..also can you guys show me a better one? heres the source files:

http://fc09.deviantart.net/fs30/f/2008/147/c/8/Duotone_Fantasy_Background_by_flordelys_stock.jpg

http://ui26.gamespot.com/1433/dissidiafinalfantasycharacterfirion_2.jpg

 

[thewrongvine]

Well unless the castle in the background is like 5 feet away from him, he wouldn't cast a shadow on it.
Also, the moon is in the back, so if that's the light source, the shadow should be in the front.

That background is strange, it seems off to me somehow... but nice.

~Hai-Bye-Vine~

 

[Sharp]

Thanks for the tips

 

[Whitesock]

When I do character design, I like to start working on ground them immediately. Work in a nice ground before you even work on the character and when you start detailing the character, start detailing the backround. Don't get too overzealous though; things farther away should be less defined and have less contrast than things in the foreground still.