Okay, this is some stuff for a potential game that perhaps I might be making. So anyway I drew these today:
(http://www.2dadventure.com/ags/detectiveman.PNG)
Then of course I went about animating this crazy protagonist.
See my latest post for the newest version.
Your help is appreciated.
I like the way he moves, it keeps with the whole cartoon style you've got, but it seems he has no real bounce to his step...
Also, his pink hat is kind of awkward, but maybe that was what you wanted, so whatever.
What makes the walk look a bit "off" might be that the head+shoes+arms are in profile, while the body is not. Maybe you could transfer the body animation to a diagonal cycle (it's so nice, it'd be a shame to ditch it), and create a new one for the sideview? Also, I like how every line is animated, I'd suggest animating the head to. Might be as simple as drawing another frame or two in the head-tween to make it all "wiggly". At least, when the head is tiliting, the pupil should be moved to focus is the same direction. The character is really cool. Not your typical, stereotype confident detective face. :)
Thank you for the advice. Here's the latest version of the walk cycle that I fiddled with today.
(http://www.2dadventure.com/ags/newalkindet.gif)
And here's him walking from the front :)
(http://www.2dadventure.com/ags/frontdetectivewalkingman.gif)
What do you think?
Really nice. The only thing I'd do is try making the arms look more a part of the body, esp. in the front view they seem a bit "tacked on" because of their outline. There's no real "shoulder effect". It's really no big deal, but there's so many other sweet details in this animation (nice hands!).
It's not technically perfect, but if you aim for that, you risk losing the great personality present in this style. I'd say go with it!
The front walkcycle looks pretty good, but his hands look kinds weird. I understand you were trying to emulate the hand movement of the side walkcycle, but I'm not sure if it's clear that his arms are swinging back and forth, not grabbing at something.
The side walkcycle looks perfect though. Keep up the good work!
A very nice animation, with a really a good style.
Altho I do agree with Bluke here, the hands do look a bit odd in the front view. makes me think "JAZZ HANDS" (http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/2536/jazzhandsoz1.gif) everytime he one of his arms is in the forward motion.