Advice Needed for Norn Picture...

Grapefruitologist · Wed 17/05/2006 03:58:36

Hi,
I'm making an add-on for a game called Docking Station (not an adventure game). In the game, there are breeds of creatures called Norns. I'm making a new breed for the game, and I've done most of the sprites for it. But right now I'm stuck because I can't figure out how to draw the female Sky Norns.

This is what I've done so far, but the female doesn't look right from the front-any advice on how to fix it?

ildu · Wed 17/05/2006 09:52:52

Too messy. I can hardly figure out what they're showing. They're also hi-res as far as sprites go, so why not just settle on a clear and tidy low-res sprite?

jasonjkay · Wed 17/05/2006 11:21:10

Look's ok to me, maybe you should add eyelashes or something. Plus it might not look as bad as you think if it's on a body (If the head is the body, it looks weird).

Mad · Wed 17/05/2006 11:54:34

I think ildu is absolutely right in saying it's too messy.
You need to define the general features clearer.

Up until just 5 minutes ago I wasn't familiar with these norns, but with a google reference and by tracing your pic, I came up with this as a little help:

Maybe you can try this for your self and take more time than I did, to come up with something better than mine!

big brother · Wed 17/05/2006 16:19:43

Perhaps the female norns can be pink and wear bows on the top of their heads.

Grapefruitologist · Thu 18/05/2006 08:53:55

That wouldn't work, Mad-sprites for adventure games and sprites for Creatures are very much different things. A very different style. Adventure games are more 2D-ish and cartoony, but Norns are more 3D-ish and detailed, a little more realistic. For example, here are some pictures of other popular Creatures breeds:

Besides-I'm already done with the male Sky Norns' sprites, I just need to know how to make the female Sky Norns better...
I like your suggestion, big brother-lots of C1 breeds had things like bows and ponytails. And, they are supposed to be pink, so...

Gilbert · Thu 18/05/2006 08:57:54

Quote from: Grapefruitologist on Thu 18/05/2006 08:53:55
Adventure games are more 2D-ish and cartoony

Why...?

Afflict · Thu 18/05/2006 20:46:47

NO beg to differ...

Phantasmagoria was not cartoonish
Tex murphy under a klling moon wasnt either
Gabriel knight...

The list goes on need I say more.

Are you using a 3d mod program?

Regardless back to basics as soon as you hit a snag that might require redesigning. Draw draw draw...

Grapefruitologist · Fri 19/05/2006 04:13:06

Some aren't, but the expected style is usually very different. Honestly, if I used Mad's picture in Creatures, I would probably get laughed off the forums. Whereas, if I used the picture in an adventure game, nobody would think anything of it. Basically, I think it's the same with adventure games thats sprites are all a different style-for example, ever seen a 2D colorful cartoony background with 3D realistic looking characters? The results are not very good. The style all has to be the same, otherwise it will look weird.
But like I said, I am completely done with the male sprites-and in Creatures that involves much, much more drawing than in an adventure game-and most people are already saying that the sprites are good for a breed, so I'm done with that part. I just want advice on the female... I have not done all the female sprites yet, because they look weird.
I'm using Paint, GIMP, and ArtGem for my sprites.