Okay, characters aren't my strongest point; especially those dreaded HANDS!
Here's my problem: I want my character to change the position of his hands when he's asking a question, or denying something, during his talk animation.
The left image shows a normal frame of my ego. The right image shows one frame of the animation in which my ego is asking a question. I don't like his hands on that second frame. Any suggestions are very welcome and appreciated.
(http://erbserv.cjb.net/public/images/bt-brettquestion.gif)
Right frame: Brett says "What are you talking about?" or "But... I didn't do anything!"
Thanks,
--Erwin
Characters aren't my strong point either, but ... One thing that stands out to me is that the hands (in the second frame) look like they're pointing the wrong way - the palms should be facing inwards, not outwards, with the thumbs pointing up and out, rather than down and out. A little thing, but it doesn't look quite natural as is, to me at least.
You might also want to raise them a little, making the bend in his arm more obvious. As it is, it might look like he's flapping them at his waist, instead of gesturing, as I assume he is.
Just a couple of thoughts.
EDIT:
Ah, I see. Makes more sense now, but I still say you need to bend the arms a bit more - it looks very uncomfortable to have the palms that far round, that close into his waist, if you get me. Maybe try adding a slight 'hunch' to the shoulders, to raise the arms slightly without having to over-bend them?
His palms are supposed to be outwards. It's hard to explain the emotion I want to express. He's, uh.... 'crying out loud' if that makes sense...
Anyway, If I turn around his palms, it's like he's sleepwalking, or being a zombie. ;D
I think you're right about the hand needing to be more aligned with his arms, though.
--Erwin
Hands are my worst nightmare ... they're the part I have the hardest time with.
(http://www.twin-design.com/ags/help/erwinbr_help01.gif)
- raised one eyebrow
- lowered the other
- leaned head forward
- altered mouth slightly to a more (IMO) "What the hell?" look
- reworked hands
- made sleve turned as well
Making hands isn't easy for me ... and these have problems. But the way he's holding his hands looks more 'questioning' ... although I must say your first attempt didn't look all that bad to me.
Hope I helped ...
I like drawing hands they are always such a chalange :D
My edit is basicaly all the same as Darth's. I only altered the hands.
(http://www.2dadventure.com/ags/erwinbr_help02.GIF)
Very helpful stuff! I'm working on an improved version now. Thanks, guys! :D
--Erwin
You could always have the palms up, too, defensively.
maybe this will help.Ã, It's a quick one in any event
(http://members.cox.net/veradin/guy.gif)
the trick I always use is exaggerating the pose, particularly for hand gestures.Ã, Separate the fingers and try to tilt the hand a bit as I did above (I also made the more distant hand smaller for perspective but you can increase the size if you want).Ã, Anyway, it's a detailed sprite.Ã, Nice work.