Help with these two graphics?, They're backgrounds, I guess... Options

[achimongus]

I sent in the castle one but it got rejected, which is completely fine, I would just like to know how to improve. What am I doing wrong? The second one I know most people will think it does not have enough color, but personally I love just two simple colors together. C=

(I wasn't sure how to put these huge pictures on here, so I used Imageshack's thumbnail option....I hope that's alright....)

[Gigi]

I like the first one a lot; the colours and concept are attractive. However, like the others have said, I think it's a bit empty. Text would do you some good for that one, and maybe fiddle around with the composition.

The second one...I understand what you're getting at, but it's not very well done. I would have probably just gotten rid of the cutout and text altogether here, since you've got more going on (and these are backgrounds, or desktop wallpapers?) If you're insistent on keeping the cutout, though, I would advise having one that's sharper. This one looks like it's been feathered, and it looks low-quality. The text bothers me, and you've spelled "friendship" wrong as well.

Keep working at it, I'm glad you're open to ideas!