Attempting sprites on my own.

Adeel · Sun 28/07/2013 00:05:37

Hello Critics. As Danny failed to get a character artist, I decided to help him with the characters. I tried to create this one - a hunchman of Enemy: whom I call "baldy", as he seemed easier to draw to me:

The Original Reference Picture:
[imgzoom]http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8143/7466533022_760e7f1942_o_d.png[/imgzoom]

My Design:

[imgzoom]http://websolutions.freevar.com/Images_Upload/Baldy.png[/imgzoom]

However I'm not too happy with him. His fists still don't look like fists. He is meant to have muscular arms but I couldn't draw it well. His shoes' laces are also something which I couldn't pull off neatly. Please help me here.

Some points for consideration:

- Bigger EYES !!!
- To make him look menacing, I added a frown and made his eyebrows thick.
- Also added dark areas under his eyes.
- Darked his lips so that it would show he smokes often too.
- I lowered his pants to make him similar to a modern thug. However I think I made it too low

.
- I shaded under his chest to show his athletic body. I also wanted to show six-packs but didn't do it. Is is okay to show them or not?
- Changed the color of pant
- Changed the color of shoes

Please do tell me what areas should be improved and it would be better if you give me an illustrated example. Scavenger, calicoreverie, Anian or anyone else?

Thanks in advance.

DBoyWheeler · Sun 28/07/2013 00:30:16

Ha ha, I like the name "Baldy". Yeah, those are boots on his feet, btw.

Anian · Sun 28/07/2013 11:33:42

Maybe something like this:
[imgzoom]http://i.imgur.com/hX1SCBv.png[/imgzoom]
(shading on the arms is a bit crappy, but maybe something like that)

Adeel · Sun 28/07/2013 14:07:08

Thank you Anian, for your pointers. I have noted all the differences you made. I'll implement them and upload my updated sprite soon.

DBoyWheeler · Sun 28/07/2013 17:47:22

Nice. I saved them so I might attempt to animate them as best I can later on.

cat · Sun 28/07/2013 17:48:22

The purple and dark blue on the jacket are too similar, I can hardly see the difference. This is also the case with the two darkest and two lightest gray tones. Use more distinct shades. The way it is now it looks blocky.

Also, while Anian's paintover does a great job in showing the muscles, the arms are a tad too short.

DBoyWheeler · Sun 28/07/2013 23:07:26

I guess so.

Um, not to be nasty or anything (I don't intend it to sound that way), but now you know why I was seeking someone to help with the sprites and stuff... I can only do so much myself.

I'm better with a pencil in my hand than my hand on the mouse (I don't have oekaki or SAI or any of those). Even then, my drawing skills are hit-or-miss.

I guess part of it is when it's on paper, it kinda gives me the optical illusion that things are symmetrical (assuming it's front view and all other things being equal) and level. But when I scan it in, it gets a bit off-kilter. Maybe it was the way I was holding the paper down at the time...

Adeel · Mon 29/07/2013 16:11:17

Quote from: cat on Sun 28/07/2013 17:48:22
The purple and dark blue on the jacket are too similar, I can hardly see the difference. This is also the case with the two darkest and two lightest gray tones. Use more distinct shades. The way it is now it looks blocky.

Also, while Anian's paintover does a great job in showing the muscles, the arms are a tad too short.

Thank you cat, for your opinion. I'll improve my sprite keeping in my mind: your's and Anian's notes.

Quote from: DBoyWheeler on Sun 28/07/2013 23:07:26
[...] Um, not to be nasty or anything (I don't intend it to sound that way), but now you know why I was seeking someone to help with the sprites and stuff... I can only do so much myself. [...]

I've never said that I have mastered the pixel art. I believe that (I've previously stated here too) that I am improving with time. Anain understands very well what I mean by that (he knew what crap my skills were at the very start).

Second, it was because of this reason. I posted my sprite here, so that the other experienced AGSers would guide me and give me tips to improve it. If I were that good at pixel art, I would've sent to you directly, I'm not of a type to show-off everyone that I'm helping someone.

Since you are not satisfied, therefore I leave from now on (I'll not draw the rest art, including the "baldy's" other views). However, I'll improve my above sprite and post it. You are free to use any sprites I've posted here or sent to you directly, though.

I'll be still available for scripting (just PM me). Sorry for my tone (and knee jerk response). I hope that you find someone soon. Sorry if I hurt you. Btw, I don't need your apology.

Tip: Just burn some cash and look at the long queue of experienced pixel artists willing to work with you.

DBoyWheeler · Tue 30/07/2013 01:27:18

I liked your Baldy sprite and Anian's version of the same.

[Update] *sigh* I guess it was a matter of time before something I said (as innocent as the intention was) would be misinterpreted as a sleight. Well, thank you all for your help, and again, I'll try to keep those in mind when working on future stuff.

At the same time, I just gotta remember what densming said in one of his tutorials on YouTube, that you don't have to be a perfect artist to use AGS (though at the same time, decent art skills kinda helps--but it's not like life or death, or anything like that).

Adeel · Tue 30/07/2013 14:27:13

Well, its probably good that you poured your heart out. Because if you aren't satisfied, you'll never deem it as good (no matter how much you say).

Also, normally I am very calm on forums and as such but sometimes I can't control my temper. Maybe the tone and intentions were innocent. But the words were, are and still hurting.