generic sprites

[Babar]

here is my problem. See all my characters? They all look (almost) the same. My characters are all generic. They have the same face, expressions and no individuality. The exceptions (I think) are number 5 and, the one I am most proud of, 6. This is because I made them by shrinking a face from a photograph and clearing it up a bit. It only looks good because he is SUPPOSED to have stubble. So, can someone please give me some tips on how to make them better?

[Chicky]

POSTURE POSTURE POSTURE, that and hairstyle.

The first thing that hits me when looking at these characters is that they all have the same hair and posture. Try using different stances, one leg slightly bent maybe, or hands in pockets. You could even experiment with animation to make them more individual, a smoker... someone reading a newspaper maybe.

And try different hairstyles, look on goodgle images search hair or somthing. Im usre you'll find a entire manner of extravagant hairstyles.

hope i helped

-OSC

[Ben]

I think I know number 6. Weird..

The reason they all look the same is that their facial features are all the same proportions- Little eyes, big mouth, all the same distance from each other.. Study some photos of people and try to pick out things that make their faces different from each other. Then try to apply what you've noticed to your characters.

Also, why are you using just a curved line for the mouth? Nobody grins like #2 without opening their mouth, and no sane person walks around with a smile frozen of their face. The easiest way to draw a normal looking mouth is to make a dark line for the upper lip, and a light line for the lower lip.

[DanClarke]

i love number 2 lol 

[Babar]

POSTURE POSTURE POSTURE, that and hairstyle.

The first thing that hits me when looking at these characters is that they all have the same hair and posture. Try using different stances, one leg slightly bent maybe, or hands in pockets.

I tried what you said about the hair, but it was getting so complicated in the space I had that I just gave him a hat instead. I gave him an overcoat too, just for character. Also, if it is not TOO much trouble, could you PLEASE give me an example of a a unique posture that could be normal for game? just a quick thing, please.

think I know number 6. Weird..

The reason they all look the same is that their facial features are all the same proportions- Little eyes, big mouth, all the same distance from each other.. Study some photos of people and try to pick out things that make their faces different from each other. Then try to apply what you've noticed to your characters.

Also, why are you using just a curved line for the mouth? Nobody grins like #2 without opening their mouth, and no sane person walks around with a smile frozen of their face. The easiest way to draw a normal looking mouth is to make a dark line for the upper lip, and a light line for the lower lip.

It is very likely you know number 6, I got the face off the netÃ,  . I tried changing the facial features. I removed the "whites" of the eyes (I noticed a lot of sprites that do that), and I think I got the eyes closer together. I gave him stubble that partially hides his mouth, which is a short line now. Is it better? Anything else to improve?

i love number 2 lolÃ, 

heheh....thanks I think? It was an early version of number 5. I did improve though didn't I?



Thanks for the comments. I made a new guy from all the help you gave. He looks very different from the others, but I think that is only due to the more prominent stubble, overcoat and the hat. It is supposed to be a down-on-luck sailorman. Any comments on the new one?

[Chicky]

babloyi, that sprite rocksÃ,  i really like it, dont worry, ill do an edit. I'm working on it as we speak.

*edit*  well you cant say i didnt try



basicall i worked on the position that the guy was in, crossed arms, shady eyes slightly bent leg. Long hair    I think its these little things that make a character, and  make them that more unique.

-OSC

[Babar]

Thanks for your compliment though. I really appreciate it. I just came up with the guy to show how I had followed the help to make a new guy. I don't think I will actually be using it in a game. The overcoat by itself would probably make it impossible for me to make a walk cycle.
Also, can someone please help give me ideas about the shading? I did not really use shading in my sprite (except to differintiate the nose from the rest of the face (another problem, can someone please help me with how to draw noses in such a small space? (woohoo brackets in bracketsÃ,  ))).