Adventure Game Studio

Creative Production => Critics' Lounge => Topic started by: Afflict on Sun 02/04/2006 04:55:33

Title: Advice on Character improvement.
Post by: Afflict on Sun 02/04/2006 04:55:33
Well here I am again I have made this character and well, I am still not sure what I can do to improve him after messing around for more than an hour now.

Any advice and c&c?

(http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/8016/ch6il.png)(http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/8016/ch6il.png)

The image is 30x60 does anybody think I should rather make it bigger?

Title: Re: Advice on Character improvement.
Post by: fred on Sun 02/04/2006 08:13:27
Hey - he looks just like Blue-Suited Man, only betterÃ,  ;D. I think the overall proportions are good, so these are justÃ,  a few suggestions.

* His shoulders look raised .
* Maybe make his neck longer and pull his head one or two pixels back (right).
* Add knees.
* More contrast to make details in clothing stand out.
* Maybe try out some selctive outlining Sel-out tute (http://pixel-zone.rpgdx.net/shtml/tut-selout.shtml)

Very nice job so far, with so few pixels and colors, keep it up.
Title: Re: Advice on Character improvement.
Post by: DutchMarco on Sun 02/04/2006 12:11:05
I'd "soften" the outlines.  Just change the colour some. It might look better in it's background but now it seems to stand out too much.

Other than that I have no comments to add, looks nifty!
Title: Re: Advice on Character improvement.
Post by: Shane 'ProgZmax' Stevens on Sun 02/04/2006 19:22:23
Here is a really quick edit to give you some ideas.

1.  Altered the angle a bit.  His torso would suggest he's turned but the wide gap between his legs indicates otherwise.

2.  Lengthened arms slightly.

3.  Adjusted shoulders.

4.  Made facial features clearer by reducing shades somewhat.

(http://members.cox.net/progzmax/ch.gif)

(http://members.cox.net/progzmax/ch.gif)

I tried to keep the shading simple to avoid using more colors than you did.  Nice work!
Title: Re: Advice on Character improvement.
Post by: Afflict on Sun 02/04/2006 19:27:11
Thanks ProgZmax any tips on making it very realistic?
Title: Re: Advice on Character improvement.
Post by: Shane 'ProgZmax' Stevens on Sun 02/04/2006 20:02:55
VERY realistic?  Well, at that size he'd realistically have a smaller head.  You'd up the shading and contrast and make the facial features, hands a bit smaller.  Something kind of like this.

This is probably a halfway point between the previous edit and a very realistic character.  The more realistic you get the more the proportions of the character matter.

(http://members.cox.net/progzmax/ch2.gif)

(http://members.cox.net/progzmax/ch2.gif)
Title: Re: Advice on Character improvement.
Post by: Afflict on Sun 02/04/2006 20:26:22
Hey thanks wow, I think maybe making the character a little bigger.

Geez I have alot to learn still.
Title: Re: Advice on Character improvement.
Post by: Shane 'ProgZmax' Stevens on Mon 03/04/2006 01:21:14
That's what it's all about, buddy.  Glad I could help, and do post any new versions here.
Title: Re: Advice on Character improvement.
Post by: Layabout on Mon 03/04/2006 01:47:53
Just remember, when animating, more colours will mean more work. It's kindof hard getting a happy medium without putting yourself through too much work.
Title: Re: Advice on Character improvement.
Post by: Afflict on Mon 10/04/2006 07:25:16
(http://img62.imageshack.us/img62/2461/ch3a1zt.png) (http://imageshack.us)
2x
(http://img62.imageshack.us/img62/2461/ch3a1zt.png)

I almost forgot to update this!!

The sprite how is it now? any c&c?

Oh btw the entry is entered as the main pic for sprite jam you guys should check it out.
Title: Re: Advice on Character improvement.
Post by: skw on Mon 10/04/2006 14:07:34
You mean the animation compo? ;)

Kinda wrong use of dithering / shading. It makes this guy a little too messy. Although I can see an improvement, ProgZ used much better color scheme. You should go for it.

I like how you're improving on overall pixelart during the last few months.
Title: Re: Advice on Character improvement.
Post by: Afflict on Mon 10/04/2006 16:30:11
Man youre right ProgZmax is really good  :-[

I think i improved a little thanks!

And yeah your right Animation comp... oops. not sprite jam  :-[

Thats kind of why i posted his version ;) cause its better than I
can do right now. Once again Sorry ProgZmax. Didnt want the
guys to wait for a sprite and me making one could take awhile.

Once again thanks for all C&C will try and fix that Shading and color
scheme. Still need to learn how to choose my colors right. I normaly
just go with what feels good.
Title: Re: Advice on Character improvement.
Post by: skw on Mon 10/04/2006 21:09:20
If you need to know something about colors, here: http://www.practicalpainting.com/paint_colors.htm and here: http://www.colorfaq.com/, http://www.colorfaq.com/color_relationships.htm you may find some interesting informations. Although it focuses on traditional painting, most of these questions are still essential when you're doing pixel art and digital painting in overall. It's always good to start from the base or at least get to know something about it.
Title: Re: Advice on Character improvement.
Post by: Afflict on Mon 17/04/2006 20:39:19
(http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/8016/ch6il.png)(http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/5959/charbeta23ly.png)
Title: Re: Advice on Character improvement.
Post by: Krysis on Mon 17/04/2006 21:39:29
That's a big improvement. Now for some critics.
1.The nose of your character seems too dark - He looks like he has a flu.
2. The feet are too big. It's a common mistake.
3. I tryed a different style for the eyes.
4. The pose of the characterÃ,  is a bit too closed.
5. The proportions are a bit off. That's not allways a bad thing, but your character seems realistic. Here are a few simple rules: The legs are longer than the body. arms get to the middle of the thigh(or whatever the upper part of the leg is called) and... seems you have everything else under control.
I did a paintover that I hope would help...
(http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/1809/clipboard012ay.png)Ã,  (http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/1809/clipboard012ay.png)
Title: Re: Advice on Character improvement.
Post by: Afflict on Mon 17/04/2006 23:07:11
Great stuff thanks Krysis. Thats a really schweet little tutorial if you think about it. I will post a remake tommorow!
Title: Re: Advice on Character improvement.
Post by: Afflict on Tue 18/04/2006 14:13:39
Hi all this chracter has been going through changes.. Man I love it

The latest one is making him really cartoony I like him like this I need to however learn how I can make him very very realistic!!!

I know all of you will like this one :)

(http://img212.imageshack.us/img212/2083/charprog6pi.png)
(http://img212.imageshack.us/img212/2083/charprog6pi.png)

IMO I think my last one before this was going more downhill...  :-[

I tried to apply what Krysis taught me now and well I really feel happy with him as a cartoon altough he was susspose to be ubber realistic :) ah well back to the drawing board redesign...

feel free to c&c thats why they are up there!
Title: Re: Advice on Character improvement.
Post by: Mad on Tue 18/04/2006 15:01:51
I really like your latest edit:
His face is great in it's simplicity!
His stance is much better now.

The crits:
His legs are way too skinny and his feet are too small.
I don't like dithering in such small sprites, but that's maybe just personal preference.

Here's a paintover:

(http://www.2dadventure.com/ags/dude.png)

I kept the sprite as true to yours as possible, hope it helps.
Title: Re: Advice on Character improvement.
Post by: Afflict on Tue 18/04/2006 15:14:15
Lol thanks mad I think I am going to go with this cartoon one.

Your right maybe dithereing in small sprites is silly... I like your paint over its awesome.

edit

well if your wondering what happened to this follow this link


http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/yabb/index.php?topic=26125.0