Adventure Game Studio

Creative Production => Critics' Lounge => Topic started by: magintz on Wed 01/02/2006 14:53:10

Title: Character - Creative Consultancy Needed
Post by: magintz on Wed 01/02/2006 14:53:10
OK, this is the first real character that I've done on my own that I'm actually pleased with. My biggest problem with it is he looks too... normal. I would really like him to have more of an atheletic build, but can't seem to manage it, any suggestions?

He is meant to be roughly about mid twenties, handsome, strong, athletic and a bit full of himself (imagine Johnny Bravo). He is also meant to really be a super-hero yet without the spandex.

Also, I'm making this for a 320 x 200 resolution game. Is this going to be an OK size to work with or will it be too small.

Do the colours go well, does the outfit suit?

Also any general pointers on how to improve and all paintovers welcome.

100%
(http://www.magintz.com/upload/char.gif)
200%
(http://www.magintz.com/upload/char.gif)

Help me out please!
Title: Re: Character - Creative Consultancy Needed
Post by: Babar on Wed 01/02/2006 15:13:39
Give him broader shoulders. Tighter shirt also, perhaps? And make his pose reflect what you want him to be like.
Title: Re: Character - Creative Consultancy Needed
Post by: A�rendyll (formerly Yurina) on Wed 01/02/2006 15:20:28
Well, his face looks a bit weird, and the clothes too... simple and plain.

Maybe you can try to get the colours of his clothes a bit more interesting and a little brighter. If you want him to be some kind of hero, maybe you can get hime a more sportive look, if that fits his character. A logo or a pattern can also help.
Title: Re: Character - Creative Consultancy Needed
Post by: DonB on Wed 01/02/2006 15:36:26
His head is very good.. i see Clarke Kent (Superman) in it! if thats the idea.. (looking to your avatar)
He could be a bit more muscled thoo.. so tighter shirt and broader shoulders like barbar said..
Title: Re: Character - Creative Consultancy Needed
Post by: InCreator on Wed 01/02/2006 15:39:22
Start by making his clothes brighter.
Such dark green and blue looks rarely good.

Also, he needs some kind of nose. A simple dot may do.
And his face is too short. I'd move jaw down a pixel or two.
Title: Re: Character - Creative Consultancy Needed
Post by: magintz on Wed 01/02/2006 15:58:48
Ok, i've changed a few things.
> Sweater is now khaki (I had a browse at the colour pallette and everything either seemed to bright or too dark)
> Dropped Jaw
> Added nose and mouth
> Major Bulk out of arms and legs
> Pecs

100%
(http://www.magintz.com/upload/char.gif) --> (http://www.magintz.com/upload/char1.gif)
200%
(http://www.magintz.com/upload/char.gif) --> (http://www.magintz.com/upload/char1.gif)

I really think this looks majorly wrong now, but cannot seem to make it look right.

EDIT: I've just used UGO's hero maker software to mock this up... perhaps?

(http://www.magintz.com/upload/char2.gif)

Maybe try it yourself to give me help.
http://www.ugo.com/channels/comics/heroMachine2/heromachine2.asp
Title: Re: Character - Creative Consultancy Needed
Post by: seaduck on Wed 01/02/2006 16:42:36
Hey, there!

Nice start. The biggest problem was his neck:

3x
(http://img395.imageshack.us/img395/7576/char1x6nd.gif)

You should also give him a more sportive/confident stance.

Yeah, that hero is a good reference for anatomy+stance, do use thatÃ,  :)
Title: Re: Character - Creative Consultancy Needed
Post by: magintz on Wed 01/02/2006 17:00:15
ok, here we go, slightly less blocky muscles, rechanged colours of shirt.


100%
(http://www.magintz.com/upload/char.gif) --> (http://www.magintz.com/upload/char1.gif) --> (http://www.magintz.com/upload/char3.gif)
200%
(http://www.magintz.com/upload/char.gif) --> (http://www.magintz.com/upload/char1.gif) --> (http://www.magintz.com/upload/char3.gif)

I still think the face in general is odd, but I think if I were to add the neck like seaduck suggests, it would remove the idea of him being muscley.
Title: Re: Character - Creative Consultancy Needed
Post by: InCreator on Wed 01/02/2006 17:23:17
(http://www.increator.pri.ee/i/critshelp/char3.gif)
Title: Re: Character - Creative Consultancy Needed
Post by: DonB on Wed 01/02/2006 17:23:54
I like your original head better.. why dont you just make the original head 2 pixels longer and dont add a nose.. i dont think its that important and it seems to ruin your superhero-head..
Title: Re: Character - Creative Consultancy Needed
Post by: CaptainBinky on Wed 01/02/2006 18:10:56
Quote from: DonB on Wed 01/02/2006 17:23:54
I like your original head better..

Agreed... Also, if you are going to put a mouth on, make sure it's not too close to the bottom of the jaw so as to keep the whopping square jaw heroic effect.
Title: Re: Character - Creative Consultancy Needed
Post by: Sam. on Thu 02/02/2006 15:45:31
here is my paintover of the head, i did some work on the body, but youve gone beyond what i did already.

(http://www.americangirlscouts.org/agsuploads/files/musclehead.png)

2x

(http://www.americangirlscouts.org/agsuploads/files/musclehead.png)
Title: Re: Character - Creative Consultancy Needed
Post by: on Thu 02/02/2006 19:28:20

I tried a version ... I tried mainly to make his upper body look hero-y, make him strong-looing. And of course the jaw. But i don't know if it worked.

(http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/529/zerohero2cn.gif)3x(http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/529/zerohero2cn.gif)
Title: Re: Character - Creative Consultancy Needed
Post by: magintz on Thu 02/02/2006 22:32:12
wow that looks really good. I was wondering if there is anyway of making him look immature or cheeky, while still keeping the muscley physique?
Title: Re: Character - Creative Consultancy Needed
Post by: big brother on Fri 03/02/2006 00:06:39
Yes.

-Puff out his chest
-Exaggerate the arch of his arms, so they're like ( ) at his sides
-Soften his jawline
-Lower his eyes so he has a taller forehead
-Give him a half smile
Title: Re: Character - Creative Consultancy Needed
Post by: on Fri 03/02/2006 00:23:06
Actually i would think a smaller forehead would be better since that could signal stupidy and arrogance blah blah, but what do i know huh.
Title: Re: Character - Creative Consultancy Needed
Post by: ThreeOhFour on Fri 03/02/2006 14:07:46
Yair... I'm pretty new to this whole sprite thing but I thought I'd give it a little shot...

(http://img343.imageshack.us/img343/9101/herodude4ub.png)

I tried to give him a more superheroish physique but realise that I probably didn't do the best job. At least it was a bit of practice.
Title: Re: Character - Creative Consultancy Needed
Post by: CaptainBinky on Fri 03/02/2006 14:28:55
Quote from: Ben304 on Fri 03/02/2006 14:07:46
I tried to give him a more superheroish physique but realise that I probably didn't do the best job. At least it was a bit of practice.

A classic Marvel-style superhero pose might help (as parodied in The Incredibles)...

(http://www.fascinationst.com/productImages/mrincredible360.gif)
Title: Re: Character - Creative Consultancy Needed
Post by: big brother on Fri 03/02/2006 14:54:08
You really think Mr. Incredible looks cheeky or immature?
Title: Re: Character - Creative Consultancy Needed
Post by: CaptainBinky on Fri 03/02/2006 15:17:41
Quote from: big brother on Fri 03/02/2006 14:54:08
You really think Mr. Incredible looks cheeky or immature?

Not particularly, but then it was for the pose not for the character.

"He is meant to be roughly about mid twenties, handsome, strong, athletic and a bit full of himself (imagine Johnny Bravo). He is also meant to really be a super-hero yet without the spandex."
Title: Re: Character - Creative Consultancy Needed
Post by: big brother on Fri 03/02/2006 17:59:25
Here's a quick paintover to show you how you could convey his personality.

2x zoom, 9 colors?
(http://www.2dadventure.com/ags/ifschar3.png)
Title: Re: Character - Creative Consultancy Needed
Post by: magintz on Fri 03/02/2006 19:56:48
Wow that definatley works, I think the jaw needs to be slightly longer, I'll edit it slightly a bit more until I'm happy with it.

Thanks
Title: Re: Character - Creative Consultancy Needed
Post by: on Fri 03/02/2006 22:23:38
Hmm, outsprited by big brother, grrr. Seriously that looks good bb. Now to find a thread where bb hasn't helped  8) Maybe he can do something again after mine and we'll see more and more of bb's amazing pixel talent  ;D (since he's scarce in the jams)
Title: Re: Character - Creative Consultancy Needed
Post by: Kweepa on Fri 03/02/2006 23:51:54
Quote from: buloght on Fri 03/02/2006 22:23:38
Now to find a thread where bb hasn't helped  8)

(OT: Herr Stein needs some help with Elaine's head in http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/yabb/index.php?topic=24883.0)