Hey Guys,

I am currently working on a steampunk inspired layout for my site (that i want to make, because currently i dont have one, I removed my old one). But because of the lack of inspiration, ideas and skills I would like to get some comments, critique, tips and all kinds of things that could help me create and finish the layout.

I already finished part of the lineart, I only need some other things to add to it, but I dont have any ideas at the moment. what i could add.
I also finished a small part of the shading, but because I am not used to shade objects I am not sure if I shade it right, and i also do not know how to shade the left part of the gear.

Here is a preview (this is only a part of the layout i am currently working on

Old -> New


Would like to get tips on:
So feel free to give cc and tips. I would really really like to have some cc and tips on the:
- Shading of the gear (how to shade the left side, and what do you think i can improve at the shading i already did)
- Ideas what i could add (because i dont have any ideas at the moment)
- The pocketwatch, i am not happy with the way I shade it so it would great if you could help me with this.

tbh I think you need to make a difinitive decision on where you light source is. On the pocket watch you have a shadow on the right side which means you should have your light source on the left but the cog looks as if the light source is on the centre. The only other thing I could suggest in terms of cogs and and pocket watches is to search them up on google or something to find proper light sources and the effect they would have on a glass front (I.E. on the face of the watch) to get a realistic effect.

Erm yeah I hope that's helpful..Xd let me know if it wasn't, and I'll try and explain. ^^'

I would edit the arms on the face of the clock.
The ones on the older one look lovely, but the ones on the new one, look incomplete.
Also, as dreamer stated, I'd make sure to choose a definite light source.

I like the shading, I think it's worth keeping! But the smaller hand on the clock looks a little crooked towards the middle of the face. Maybe the squares could be replaced with roman numerals And I can't really help with backgrounds... Not so good at them myself... Sorry for the lack of help in that area. And I must agree with the others about the light source thing, but I bet that's getting annoying, hearing the same thing from every one and all.