Just as a challenge, I decided to make a couple of backgrounds based on an American Gas Station / Diner. They're only sketches scanned in from my art book for now, but I hope to colour them in somehow.
Outside.... (http://khato.fatfurs.co.uk/art/Gasstation.jpg)
... and inside. (http://khato.fatfurs.co.uk/art/Diner.jpg)
I know about the signs, and the correcting the wonky perspective, but how would I go about making them more (stereotypically) American? This kind of.. low budget diner is the theme, (in contrast to a chain of gas station fast food outlets owned by a faceless conglomerate. =P)
Also, this guy.
(http://khato.fatfurs.co.uk/sprites/fatkid.png)
The main character of this hypothetical setting, but I don't know how to improve him. He kinda looks way off to me. He's supposed to be 'laid back' in a kind of overexaggerated way, and maybe a little arrogant, too.
Hmm. Your comments?
The diner's layout is too crazy to be low budget. Counter, a few tables and booths. Most of the diners are either high tech/good budget or a total dump with ugly wallpaper and torn up chairs from the 60's.
The character is looking alright. The black lines on his face are too contrasted. His mouth looks like a mustache. His side view looks a litttle thin IMO.
It's the hair. It steals too much attention. The shaded areas look rather green to me, and that's making the yellow look almost neon. I'd try changing that shading to more of a brown tone (added bonus, it'll give the character some vertical assymetry) and slightly brown the other areas of the hair as needed.
...And here's a paintover.
(http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h199/Candall/AGSRepaints/fatkidrp.png)
"stereotypically American" ??? . Not sure what you mean, but Grub doesn't sound like a word typicaly used by people in the U.S. or at least the regions I have lived in/visited. I think of old world english when I hear that word (The age of sea Pirates ;) ) . Grub'n'go makes me think of Fish'n'Chips which would be English. Maybe change it to Grab'n'go ???.
Maybe I am over analyzing it too much, since I am not sure as to what you are asking ;D.
The sprite is technically appealing, but those characteristics you wish to portray is sadly not there. To be laid back, he could have even worse posture, and the arrogance can be achieved with a raised chin or a smirk. Try different facial expressions and see where it goes from there..
(http://khato.fatfurs.co.uk/sprites/fatkidrev1.png)
I tried changing his facial expression, and minor details. Also, the hair, since I agree it was a little TOO green, even though his hair is green ; ). I still don't know how to make his posture worse. The side view, however, is the most pain evar. Especially putting a smirk on it. Urgh ><
And by stereotypically american, I guess I mean Americana, or exaggerated pop culture. Hmm.
Your posture is confident and secure. But if he should be laid back, perhaps a slouch or hanging head would suffice.