Character and Background

Squinky · Mon 22/12/2003 05:44:09

Okay, so I'm trying to make a low rez version of this great big guy I have down there, and I'm just having a hell of a time. Somethings weird with his face...and the colors are all wrong. I posted these two wondering which one you guys think I should improve upon, and I was also hoping you could give me some pointers cause I'm just not happy with what I've got...

Thanks as always...

TheYak · Mon 22/12/2003 06:02:46

I like the hi-sat colored from the top-right image but his skin-color looks a bit unnatural. The top-right image shows good skin-coloring (IMO) but the uniform/details could use a bit of distinction. I believe that the low color-saturation is making the image as a whole blend a bit. As far as the Flash picture (I'm assuming Flash) goes, I think it's got a skin-color issue as well. The skin-color is a tad too brown-related to look convincing. It's more the color that a Taco Bell worker's pants might be. If you made it just the slighest bit more white (for a pale dude), pinkish or yellowish it might not look quite as drab.

I like your style quite a bit. The top-left is my favorite of the 3. One way to tweak it for the better (again, only my opinion speaking here) is to make the dark shades a bit more consistent. His right arm uses fairly dark outlines, as does his chest but everywhere else has fainter outlines that tend to blend the pieces of the whole together. I realize that it's probably to demonstrate distance from the viewer or to add shading but I think a tad less difference might help.

Sorry.. I'm feeling very artsy today but sucking at it so I'm rambling. $:-\$

n3tgraph · Mon 22/12/2003 10:52:29

the tofleft is awsome squonkster!

I realllly like it,
it should be in a game

Evil · Mon 22/12/2003 19:02:10

Here is a quick one I did. Changed some colors and lowered the belt. There are some positioning problems with him, mostly the face and chest, Though that would probably require an entire redo. Here is a quick fixin keeping the base of what you had.

Squinky · Mon 22/12/2003 22:34:05

Thanks everybody, I've decided to go with the one evil posted a pic on, cause thats what everybody prefers so far..

Yeah, evil. I prefer the colors you picked for the shirt, that helps me like the sprite more. I also like your fix for the shirt and belt and all that good stuff, Thanks for the tips...

Maybe I'll get a walk animation gif up soon...

Squinky · Tue 23/12/2003 05:18:11

Okay, heres a bg I made up while I was taking a brake from working on that character. Any tips or bitches?

Evil · Tue 23/12/2003 05:22:28

GAH! GRADIENTS! NO! HE WENT TO THE DARK SIDE!!1

* Evil gets out his sword of light and fights Squinky in which Evil loses a hand.

Nixxon · Tue 23/12/2003 05:40:53

Me likes the BG

Couple of things that bug my supple retinas.
the red capsule "i'm guessing it is" needs a colour and depth revamp, since the sun is blindingly strong, metalic objects would surely emmit some hefty reflections. Would also change the colour of the windows, since interior light (yellow) would not be too obviouse if it were light outside.
I bit more depth to the cave on the left wouldn't go astray either (specifically the roof).
These imperfections only stand out so vividly because the rest of the background is so darn good

Keep it up

Squinky · Tue 23/12/2003 06:22:02

The Gradient in the sky, is that okay? I like it, but I think I got a littel crazy with the capsule, probably going to re-do it. I had thought that the yellowish color of the windows would represent the yellowish sky reflecting in it, but I guess I'll have to timker with that and the other aspects mentioned.

Sorry Evil, but a guys got to experiment right?

evilspacefart · Tue 23/12/2003 07:04:41

nice bg squink, but the sky looks a little green. maybe its my monitor.

Redwall · Tue 23/12/2003 14:27:07

Wouldn't the sun's position make the capsule's windows, and some of the rock outcroppings (like the one in front, and the one behind the cave) be in shadow?

Darth Mandarb · Tue 23/12/2003 15:37:44

QuoteWouldn't the sun's position make the capsule's windows, and some of the rock outcroppings (like the one in front, and the one behind the cave) be in shadow?

Maybe there are two suns?

Squinky - this looks awesome! It looks (reminds) me of Fry 3's style, which rocks!

The character looks great (Evil's edit sealed the deal) and the background looks awesome! The lack of gradiation (in the ground) gives is 'Squinky Style'.

Keep up the great work!

])]v[

MrColossal · Tue 23/12/2003 22:07:35

some images:

i think what's missing is shadows. if it was noon i'd accept that general illumination but since the sun is going down i want to see some shadows being cast baby.

and since the sun is in the background that means the majority of the image will be in shadow but that's where the interesting things will happen.

and i don't think the gradient on the ship is good.. hehe. i think you need to use shadow to define the shape better especially with highlights if it's supposed to be metal.

i think what you have going on with the rocks in the waybackground should be going on with everything. that dark dark. maybe knock down the detail of those rocks in the background too. but also remember that on earth at least sand reflects light like some kinda reflector disc + 1 so the entire image doesn't have to be in total shadow. i think the cliff and the capsule above all should be in shadow and should be casting shadows.

but besides that i enjoy it and i love the vector character, he looks like he's truckin' down the road. just cause you're a bounty hunter in deep space doesn't mean you can't kick back and groove with some truckin'

woop

eric

Squinky · Tue 23/12/2003 22:55:17

Thanks for all the tips guys.
Heres a quick trace over dealy I did (obviously off of Eric's pic) to work on my lighting and stuff:

Is this any better, and how are the colors?

And is the Gradient for the sky okay? Because I personally like it becuase it's quick and easy, and looks better than what I normally do for the sky....

Evil · Tue 23/12/2003 23:24:42

There is a way to change the amount of colors in gradients in Photoshop but I dont remember how. I know sombody talked about it here before...

Squinky · Wed 24/12/2003 01:28:45

Well, I used Posterize on that sky gradient to give it that look....I know that can directly reduce the colors....

MrColossal · Wed 24/12/2003 05:25:55

looks nice, i'd make the hill go over the horizon more just so it doesn't look all on the same plane

and i have a tutorial on reducing colours in a gradient at my site but who knows if it's necessary, squinky's a big boy and can do what he likes.

something i was going to say before but didn't was if the sky is green then maybe that colour should work it's way into the entire scene a little, like the first image i posted, know what i mean jelly bean?

Squinky · Thu 25/12/2003 04:11:38

Is the sky really that greenish? I kinda thought maybe it was more yellowish, which was why I tried to make everything look yellowish...

Stupid government-cheese monitor of mine...

Neole · Thu 25/12/2003 10:23:12

Looking great, both characters and background. The sky is too yellowish for my tastes though, I like them bluer even on alien landscapes. Yellow feels too sickly.

Squinky · Fri 26/12/2003 22:42:34

Thanks Neole...
I'm going with the yellowish colors because they feel bleak and hopless to me...