Wow, we have so many good icon here! I'm really happy we have such a big round of participants this time.
2 least quality icons:
09 - Spike is well cut out, and the theme Negative Space is clearly visible. I am confused by the vague outline within the negative space - is it supposed to be someone recognizable, or is it just a remnant of recoloring the background? Spike's face could have a bit more contrast. As it is, it looks like you didn't make changes to the cap. I'd suggest sharpening (at low opacity, so it doesn't get too pixelated), and adding contrast. If you're using Photoshop, duplicate Spike and set the duplicated layer to Soft Light to increase contrast.
12 - Buffy is mostly well cut out and the theme of Negative Space is met. In two places - her hair and the arm on the icon's left side - the background is blurring into her a bit, making it look like she has green hair. In general, it looks better if the subject matches the background in coloring. Here, you have a very vibrant rainbow and a very natural-looking Buffy. Either she should be just as vibrant (which is hard, because then the skin goes pink very quickly), or go the opposite direction and make her black and white.
1 best quality icon
10 - Technically very good in all aspects, and nice orange-y coloring that works with the slightly grungy texture. I like the asymmetrical placement of Buffy with that plant(?) in the background balancing out the composition.
There are several technically very good icons, but I wanted to vote for the icon that in addition to that incorporates the theme Negative Space best.
no subject
2 least quality icons:
09 - Spike is well cut out, and the theme Negative Space is clearly visible. I am confused by the vague outline within the negative space - is it supposed to be someone recognizable, or is it just a remnant of recoloring the background? Spike's face could have a bit more contrast. As it is, it looks like you didn't make changes to the cap. I'd suggest sharpening (at low opacity, so it doesn't get too pixelated), and adding contrast. If you're using Photoshop, duplicate Spike and set the duplicated layer to Soft Light to increase contrast.
12 - Buffy is mostly well cut out and the theme of Negative Space is met. In two places - her hair and the arm on the icon's left side - the background is blurring into her a bit, making it look like she has green hair. In general, it looks better if the subject matches the background in coloring. Here, you have a very vibrant rainbow and a very natural-looking Buffy. Either she should be just as vibrant (which is hard, because then the skin goes pink very quickly), or go the opposite direction and make her black and white.
1 best quality icon
10 - Technically very good in all aspects, and nice orange-y coloring that works with the slightly grungy texture. I like the asymmetrical placement of Buffy with that plant(?) in the background balancing out the composition.
There are several technically very good icons, but I wanted to vote for the icon that in addition to that incorporates the theme Negative Space best.