private void loadPictures(){
    	 


         try {                
            this.backgroundImage = ImageIO.read(new File("graphics/menu_back.png"));
            this.logoImage = ImageIO.read(new File("graphics/logo.png"));//graphics/logo.png"));
            for(int i = 1; i < 5; i++){
            	this.characterImages.add(ImageIO.read(new File("graphics/characters/ch0"+  i+".png")));
            }
            for(int i = 1; i < 5; i++){
            	this.headImages.add(ImageIO.read(new File("graphics/characters/ch0"+  i+"-headicon.png")));
            }
         } catch (IOException ex) {
         }
    }