Adventure Game Studio

Creative Production => Critics' Lounge => Topic started by: x_traveler_x on Wed 01/06/2005 20:44:31

Title: Critique my character, please!
Post by: x_traveler_x on Wed 01/06/2005 20:44:31
Hi everyone!Ã,  I haven't been doing much in the art department lately, so I thought I'd better sharpen my pixelling skills.Ã,  I'd like some feedback on this character:

(http://constructivechaos.net/fallingpeople/blonde_1x.PNG) (http://constructivechaos.net/fallingpeople/blonde_2x.PNG)

I designed her based on another character I did earlier.Ã,  I'm going for a somewhat "cartoony" style, but not too much over the top.

A couple pre-criticsm comments:
- I realize that the pose is a bit unnatural-- I'll address that later.
- She is intended to look tough, yet sexy.

The only thing about her that bugs me about her so far is the shoes.Ã,  Other than that, I'm more or less pleased with how it came out.

I should also mention that the game will be a Sierra-type interface in 640x480 resolution.Ã,  This character is the same relative size as the typical Sierra character in a 320x200 game.Ã,  Is a sprite this size suitable or should I re-think this?

Thanks!
Title: Re: Critique my character, please!
Post by: What a loser. on Wed 01/06/2005 21:08:16
Hmmm, I think its very good. Two things:

-She looks a bit cross-eyed.
-Her arms are too long or her legs are too short.

Otherwise very good.  :)
Title: Re: Critique my character, please!
Post by: Mozesh on Wed 01/06/2005 21:10:15
Quote from: Alias on Wed 01/06/2005 21:08:16
-Her arms are too long or her legs are too short.
No I don't think so, her arms are good, her legs are too short though.
Changing the eyes and shoes would make it look even better.
Title: Re: Critique my character, please!
Post by: InCreator on Wed 01/06/2005 21:49:56
Quote
No I don't think so, her arms are good, her legs are too short though.
Changing the eyes and shoes would make it look even better.

I second that. Also, try to make pants' color less bright blue. Right now it distracts too much from rest of the sprite.
Title: Re: Critique my character, please!
Post by: skw on Wed 01/06/2005 22:53:56
Maybe it's not the best exapmle, but I haven't anything better at hand. Certainly she's tough and sexy: ;)

(http://www.reallyscary.com/gifs/vampirellafigure.jpg)

I'm thinking of the correct woman's body proportions.
Title: Re: Critique my character, please!
Post by: big brother on Wed 01/06/2005 23:00:08
Or at least preferable body proportions... ;)
Title: Re: Critique my character, please!
Post by: Al_Ninio on Wed 01/06/2005 23:05:09
Ideal female proportions (http://saveloomis.org/FigureDrawing/page27.gif).
Title: Re: Critique my character, please!
Post by: x_traveler_x on Wed 01/06/2005 23:47:28
Quote from: Skurwy on Wed 01/06/2005 22:53:56
I'm thinking of the correct woman's body proportions.

Quote from: big brother on Wed 01/06/2005 23:00:08
Or at least preferable body proportions... ;)

Quote from: Al_Ninio on Wed 01/06/2005 23:05:09
Ideal female proportions (http://saveloomis.org/FigureDrawing/page27.gif).

While I find these comments helpful, I still want to keep the character looking fairly cartoonish.Ã,  I don't want to stray too far from the style I'm aiming for.Ã,  So, I don't know how "proportioned" she'll turn out in the end.Ã, 

I do agree with Alias and RedruM89 that I should lengthen the legs a bit though.Ã,  That might just do the trick overall.

As for the eyes and shoes...Ã,  I agree that the shoes need work, but how?Ã,  I also don't know how I would fix the eyes without widening the head, thus throwing off the whole design.

Thanks for the feedback, it's very helpful!
Title: Re: Critique my character, please!
Post by: x_traveler_x on Thu 02/06/2005 15:33:46
Here's an edited version:

Before & After
(http://constructivechaos.net/fallingpeople/blonde_2x.PNG) (http://constructivechaos.net/fallingpeople/blonde_2x_new.PNG)

What I changed:
- Legs are longer (by 2 pixels)
- Arms are more relaxed and proportioned better (i think)
- Other minor touch-ups: shirt, hair, tummy, jeans, etc.

Still unsure of how to get the shoes just right (you'd think it'd be simple).Ã,  Also not sure if I should fix the eyes.

Any comments?
Title: Re: Critique my character, please!
Post by: Shane 'ProgZmax' Stevens on Thu 02/06/2005 17:44:57
I kind of went overboard on my edit, so I'm not sure whether you will like it.
These are the things I changed anyway:

1.  Made the skin tone more natural
2.  Widened hips slightly
3.  Redrew face
4.  You said she was tough, so I gave her muscular arms and a tattoo
5.  Made her legs a bit longer
6.  Got rid of that gap between her upper thighs
7.  Altered shoes
8.  Brought down pants because it looked like her pants were too short
(http://members.cox.net/veradin/bgirl.gif)

(http://constructivechaos.net/fallingpeople/blonde_2x_new.PNG) (http://members.cox.net/veradin/bgirl.gif)
Title: Re: Critique my character, please!
Post by: Phemar on Thu 02/06/2005 19:00:41

Haha .. butch. Someone drank a bottle of testorone during puberty ...

Anyway I think you should take Prog's legs, feet, boobs, stomache and head and mix it with your one, then you'll have a tough, but sexy, femme.
Title: Re: Critique my character, please!
Post by: x_traveler_x on Thu 02/06/2005 19:08:18
YIKES!!!  :o

That's a skillful edit, Prog, but I took one look and instantly thought it looked like a dude in drag.  That's way off the mark.

I'll have to re-think the character's role and keep touching up on it and see what I come up with.  Thanks for all the feedback though!
Title: Re: Critique my character, please!
Post by: Ali on Thu 02/06/2005 22:28:59
Well, Atomic Kitten are showing signs of wear:

(http://www.2dadventure.com/ags/toughgirl.gif)

Changes:
1. Made legs longer & Torso shorter.
2. Brought breasts up and made them slightly more modest.
3. Altered top to make shoulders look slightly more feminine,
4. Darkened eyes to remove cross-eye.
5. Made her look like she's making an unimpressed "Hmm" noise.
6. Added possibly mis-judged stomach muscles.
7. Dyed Hair.
Title: Re: Critique my character, please!
Post by: skw on Thu 02/06/2005 22:49:27
Prog, she reminds me of Tiffany from "Child's Play IV". Did you ever watch it? ;)
Title: Re: Critique my character, please!
Post by: Khris on Fri 03/06/2005 12:49:56
Not really a paintover, I got carried away a bit :=

2x
(http://constructivechaos.net/fallingpeople/blonde_2x_new.PNG)Ã,  (http://home.pages.at/choala/ags/chick.png)

Considering the size:
IMO, characters should take up 1/4 to 1/2 of the screen's height. When doing a VGA game, that leaves you with a height of 120 to 240. Mine is 34x114, btw.
Title: Re: Critique my character, please!
Post by: Shane 'ProgZmax' Stevens on Fri 03/06/2005 15:14:21
Ya, but she's a bit proportional for tiffany isn't she? :)
Title: Re: Critique my character, please!
Post by: x_traveler_x on Fri 03/06/2005 16:00:48
Thanks everyone, for all the great input and paint-overs!Ã,  But, truth be told, everyone has his/her own art style, and I have to remain true to my original main idea.Ã,  I probably should have clarified what I was looking for.Ã,  Sorry for not doing so earlier!

Yeah, I did say she should be tough.Ã,  My fault.Ã,  What I meant was athletic or lean, not a she-hulk. :)

Her "proportions" are intentional.Ã,  She's meant to be a well-endowed individual.Ã,  The fact that I'm a boob guy is beside the point.

The beginning of the game is going to take place outside a night club.Ã,  That's why she's wearing the bright-colored pants and tight-fitting shirt in the first place.Ã,  Again, boob guy, beside the point.

I doubt I'll ever change the eyes.  I want the whites visible, and I don't want them any larger than they are.  I think they're fine as they are.

I'll take into consideration what khrismuc said about the sprite size.  Would it benefit me to go with 640x400 rather than 640x480?

Here's my latest edit:
(http://constructivechaos.net/bl0nd3_1x.PNG) (http://constructivechaos.net/bl0nd3_2x.PNG)

Changes:
- Hair highlights
- Shading on face around nose
- Raised breasts by one pixel
- Gap between the legs is gone-- slightly altered stance
- Shoes and pants
Title: Re: Critique my character, please!
Post by: Khris on Fri 03/06/2005 16:20:46
Quote from: x_traveler_x on Fri 03/06/2005 16:00:48
Would it benefit me to go with 640x400 rather than 640x480?
51200 times x less pixels to draw, where x is the number of rooms :)
I like 640x480 better because of the square aspect ratio.

Your sprite has definitely become better, yet there are still two minor things bothering me:
-the top's edge between chest and neck should really be straight. It still looks as if her boobs start beneath her chin ;)
-if she's been to a night club, would she be wearing those (still) heavy-looking shoes? Either give her some stilettos or lengthen that pants.
Title: Re: Critique my character, please!
Post by: x_traveler_x on Fri 03/06/2005 16:56:35
Quote from: khrismuc on Fri 03/06/2005 16:20:46
-the top's edge between chest and neck should really be straight. It still looks as if her boobs start beneath her chin

Not exactly sure what you mean... It IS straight.Ã,  Or are you refering to the shading underneath the chin?

Quote from: khrismuc on Fri 03/06/2005 16:20:46
-if she's been to a night club, would she be wearing those (still) heavy-looking shoes? Either give her some stilettos or lengthen that pants.

What, you've never seen girls wearing hiking boots in a bar?Ã,  :)

Anyway, good point, I'll keep that in mind.Ã,  Thanks!
Title: Re: Critique my character, please!
Post by: skw on Fri 03/06/2005 22:58:14
(http://www.tumbaabierta.com/estrenos/img/semilla_chucky_2.jpg)

;)
Title: Re: Critique my character, please!
Post by: x_traveler_x on Sat 04/06/2005 05:39:27

Who's that supposed to be, Skurwy?  Kelly Rippa?  My, she's never looked better.   ;D
Title: Re: Critique my character, please!
Post by: Andail on Sat 04/06/2005 10:26:59
traveler, you have reported Skurwy's post to the moderators, but in your own reply, I see only amusement...?
I'm just a bit confused...if you found his post irrelevant - which I can totally understand - the first step would be not to encourage it!

I could have just misunderstood the whole thing, sorry in that case.
Title: Re: Critique my character, please!
Post by: Khris on Sat 04/06/2005 11:30:20
Quote from: x_traveler_x on Fri 03/06/2005 16:56:35
Quote from: khrismuc on Fri 03/06/2005 16:20:46
-the top's edge between chest and neck should really be straight. It still looks as if her boobs start beneath her chin

Not exactly sure what you mean... It IS straight.Ã,  Or are you refering to the shading underneath the chin?

I've painted over her right side:
(http://home.pages.at/choala/ags/trav_chick.png)
Title: Re: Critique my character, please!
Post by: skw on Sat 04/06/2005 11:59:54
Traveler, Andail...

Okay, sorry for off-topicing.

Quote from: Skurwy on Thu 02/06/2005 22:49:27
Prog, she reminds me of Tiffany from "Child's Play IV". Did you ever watch it? ;)

Quote from: ProgZmax on Fri 03/06/2005 15:14:21
Ya, but she's a bit proportional for tiffany isn't she? :)

So there she is, Tiffany.

:(
Title: Re: Critique my character, please!
Post by: loominous on Sat 04/06/2005 16:11:49
Really quick edit:

(http://marcus.krupa.se/AGS/jg.gif)

x3
(http://marcus.krupa.se/AGS/jg.gif)


Basically raised the crotch to make her legs longer and flattened her feet area to increase the height giving her more adult proportions.

Her arms gave her a masculine look due to their outwards arc. The closer the elbows are to the waist the more feminine look, and I went with some sort of compromise.

Feet were quite large n pointing outwards, something giving her a masculine n clownish look.