This is my first real attempt at a wallpaper, so please be kind. I know it needs a lot more work. Mainly with the hirigana, but GimpShop isn't recognizing my kana typing software, so I need to scrounge around online for a better chart to use instead.

Yes, it's a slow, calm, dull background. But I hate busy backgrounds, and I think tachikoma fits better into a more quite frame, especially with the crane in his hands.

The crane looks odd, I apologize. To do one from that angle, I actually had to fold one, and then step on it, and trace it out by hand, and then put paper in behind the tracing to give it depth. Fun, but hard. But I love the image of it so.

But, please, it really is my first attempt at a wallpaper, so it'd be great if some of you would tell me what I need to improve, and what I'm doing wrong. ^.^

It is very empty, perhaps a few vectors or something in the background, and tachikoma is pixelated, some cleaning wouldn't go astray. Otherwise an interesting start.

It's not empty, it's quiet. On that I do take a stance. Overly busy wallpapers are tacky, though thank you on the advice to clean up the tachikoma.

Hmm, for a first wall it's not bad.. but its not great either.

As a beginner, you should probably learn the basics. Take it as you will, but proper cleaning and extracting will form the foundation you'll need to make good wallpapers.

The thing about wallpapers is that you have to continually make new ones in order to get better. Unless you are dead set on perfecting this one, I'd go ahead and scrap it and start on a new idea.

Since you like minimalism, go ahead and look at other walls that are minimalistic and try to see what they did to add that little bit of flair to their wallpapers. Be it a subtle texture or some vector work behind the scan, these people did something to add a level depth to their work.

Anybody can crop a scan or cut an object out and paste it onto a blank background or something. These kind of people don't really belong in this community. I'm not really one to say anything, but personally I feel that in order to really be accepted you have to show that you are willing to be creative and dedicated enough to master the skills needed to create whatever you envisioned.

Another thing people need to realize is that an innocent comment like "it is very empty" isn't an attack on your character or what you've envisioned, it's just what they thought they wanted when they saw your wall. I'm pretty sure you've looked at other wallpapers before and said to yourself, "If this was my wallpaper, I would've taken that out or I would've changed that color."

Everybody has a different vision on what the "perfect" wallpaper should be. You have to decide up front when you are working on a wallpaper. "Is this wallpaper something for me alone?" or "Is this wallpaper something I want everyone to enjoy?" It's like this, why bother even posting the wallpaper if you aren't willing to receive comments on it. If it's something for everyone, I'd try my best to take a look at what everyone posted and to try to change things until most people were happy with what I did. It's a tough thing to accomplish, but i think most people eventually find a nice balance.

Anyways, sorry about my overly long rant/comment/advice/whatever. I'm kinda bored right now and trying to find some sort of inspiration/whathaveyou. Good luck, with whatever you decide to do.

I can tell you like quite in you wall. However sometimes you might want to think of serene as well as quite. Given this example is a ridiculously amazing wall, to me it exemplifies what I see as quite. Aside from the focus in the middle there is very little else to draw your attention, but it is also not just empty space or a solid color. Instead the background supports the focus to the greatest extent posible. This is a concept that i think if you considered for your wall, would really take it to the next level. I am not a super ninja expert of doom so accept my advice as you see fit.

-Flem Sneezy