Having had a look around in our group and the different guides, you might have come across the requirements of “Simple”, “Semi-complex” and “Complex backgrounds”. A certain amount of elements is needed in order for any drawn background to count into one of these categories. How many elements are necessary for each type will be shown at the bottom of the page, for now we are going to focus on the basics first!
Disclaimer: the drawn example backgrounds we use at the bottom of the page are only used to show how we count or what we consider elements in a drawing. It does not mean that every player has to start drawing in this exact style for their entries to count!
We know this topic is quite confusing for some players, so if you still have questions even after reading this guide, feel free to ask us! You can either send the group a note through deviantArt or ask us in our help chat on Discord (an invitation link to the server can be found on the homepage).
Details vs Elements
We already used the term “elements” above, but what are these? Elements are smaller or bigger parts which, once combined, basically create your whole background, e.g. trees, bushes, mountains, the sky, etc.
Details on the other hand are most of the time small things that give your elements more depth, e.g. shades and light, texture, and so on.
Sometimes there are elements which could be considered as multiple elements, but are only counted as one in the end.
Bushes and trees are good examples for this case: if you draw two bushes for example they will count as two different elements as long as they are not connected with each other. Once there is a connection both bushes will count as one element in total.
There are also cases in which things can either be seen as detail or an element.
A good example are flowers: if they are just small colored dots on grass they are considered details, as they give more depth and color to our grass. Once the flowers are getting more details themselves however, for example through adding a stem, leaves, light and shading, and so on, they will count as an element as well!
Example image of flowers counting as an element: Smooching by CelineDGD
Example of smaller rocks counting as an element: YCH Montain finished by Escapado-draw
Be careful when it comes to stamp brushes! Simply applying them to your image makes them details, whereas refining them by adding light and shades, a few more colors to give depth, and so on would have them count as an element.
The different types of backgrounds
Simple backgrounds are mostly used for images which can be submitted to the group in larger quantity such as regular activities or Boss Battle entries. Therefore the necessary amount of elements is rather low to keep things easier.
The required amount of elements is five (5) if the elements have very little to no detail.
The required amount of elements is four (4) if the elements have a bit more details.
Improvements compared to the background above:
– The sky has a gradient.
– The bark and leaves of the tree have a bit more texture, smaller branches were added as well.
– The mountain has more light and shading as well as texture.
– The grass shows different types of blades as well as a few more (subtle) colors.
The required amount of elements is three (3) if the elements have a lot of details.
Improvements compared to the background above:
– The sky has clouds and rays of light.
– More texture, especially for the leaves as well as a more refined lightning and shading was added to the tree. Some leaves are falling to the ground.
– A few more different types of blades, shades of green and colored dots for flowers were added to the grass.
Semi-complex backgrounds are mostly used for images that require some more effort compared to regular activities for example, such as the Monthly Quest, Healing Images for Boss Battle or Expeditions.
The required amount of elements is seven (7) if the elements have very little to no detail.
The required amount of elements is six (6) if the elements have a bit more details.
Improvements compared to the background above:
– The sky has a gradient and the clouds are shaded.
– The bark and leaves of both trees have a bit more texture, smaller branches were added as well.
– The mountain has more light and shading as well as texture.
– The bush has more texture as well as some detailed shading.
– The grass shows different types of blades as well as a few more (subtle) colors.
The required amount of elements is five (5) if the elements have a lot of details.
Improvements compared to the background above:
– Birds were added to the sky, the clouds have some deeper shading.
– More texture, especially for the leaves as well as a more refined lightning and shading was added to the trees. The left tree also got some moss.
– A few more different types of blades, shades of green and colored dots for flowers were added to the grass.
Complex backgrounds are mainly used for Harmony / Unity Prompts and Themes and Seasonal Adventures. As these are used to tell the story of your beast / tribe as well as gain Harmony / Unity Points to level up said beast / tribe we want to see some effort put into them.
The required amount of elements is ten (10) if the elements have very little to no detail.
The required amount of elements is nine (9) if the elements have a bit more details.
Improvements compared to the background above:
– The sky has a gradient and the clouds are shaded.
– The forest in the back as a more refined shading and more trees are visible.
– The bark and leaves of all three trees have a bit more texture, smaller branches were added as well.
– The pinetrees have a more refined shading.
– The mountain has more light and shading as well as texture.
– The bush has more texture as well as some detailed shading.
– The grass shows a more refined shading as well as a few more (subtle) colors.
The required amount of elements is eight (8) if the elements have a lot of details.
Improvements compared to the background above:
– The mountain has small snowcaps and a more refined shading.
– More texture, especially for the leaves as well as a more refined lightning and shading was added to the trees. One tree has apples and the other some mushrooms on its bark.
– The bush has some more leave texture and berries
– A few more different types of blades, shades of green and white dots for flowers were added to the grass.