how do these sprites and bgs look?

Steel Drummer · Wed 29/03/2006 05:19:41

I am making a Bone adventure game. I wanted someone to critique it (although people already have

if you were one of those people, you know what I mean). I'm posting some bgs and sprites and I want some people to tell me how I could improve the overall 'look' of them. The style is very cartoonish so don't expect significant amounts of realism. Right here is bgs- I'll submit characters later...

MashPotato · Wed 29/03/2006 05:53:30

I'll be honest--these BG's need a lot of work... but that's what you're here for, right? ^_^

Looking at these, I think the most important thing to be said is to TAKE YOUR TIME. For example, the bushes (I think) in the second picture look like random scribbles. They don't have to be complicated, but try to draw in a more controlled fashion. The third picture looks sloppy--there are areas you haven't finished colouring in, and to be frank I have no idea what it's a picture of, because everything seems to be floating in the sky.

Take your time, put in effort. There's no deadline as to when you have to finish backgrounds, so don't rush. Just by doing that the BG's will improve some.

Gilbert · Wed 29/03/2006 06:22:46

Also, if you're not mastering your pointing device (be it a mouse or a tablet stylus) yet, try to avoid the freehand tools, I'd recommend using the straight line tool as a start, even if you're familiar with your pointing device you'll find out how useful and quick this tool is.

For example this is some random crap I quickly mucked up using only the line tool (well, except the "sun") in M$Pain:

I'll say you should try putting more effort on your pictures, some of your examples here are far from distinguishable as what they're refering to (especially the third one), try to start simple and practice.

sergiocornaga · Wed 29/03/2006 08:43:54

Very, VERY quick mock up of a perspective/layout that *might* work better for the first one.

Steel Drummer · Wed 29/03/2006 15:20:35

Quote from: MashPotato on Wed 29/03/2006 05:53:30
I'll be honest--these BG's need a lot of work... but that's what you're here for, right? ^_^

Looking at these, I think the most important thing to be said is to TAKE YOUR TIME.Ã,Â For example, the bushes (I think) in the second picture look like random scribbles.Ã,Â They don't have to be complicated, but try to draw in a more controlled fashion.Ã,Â The third picture looks sloppy--there are areas you haven't finished colouring in, and to be frank I have no idea what it's a picture of, because everything seems to be floating in the sky.

Take your time, put in effort.Ã,Â There's no deadline as to when you have to finish backgrounds, so don't rush.Ã,Â Just by doing that the BG's will improve some.

the "random scribbles" in the second pic is grass sticking out. The third pictures is supposed to be a panoramic view of a valey. I think I need more detail (trees, etc.) so that it looks realistic.

Steel Drummer · Wed 29/03/2006 15:46:14

here are some characters and a remakes of bgs. What do you think of these (I'll submit more later)? Also, I saw an edit of one of my bgs and the third bg wasn't supposed to be a road, it's like a panoramic view of the valley.

Fone Bone

Gran'ma Ben

Saberteeth · Wed 29/03/2006 18:23:14

Her, take a look at my paintover:

You see, it took me about five minutes to do it. I did a major change, don't you think? You see, most stuff you see is symetric(twin sided, the left side is equal to the right). So are humans and Bone. Make it symetric, take your time, use a different program, maybe? For the bgs, it is still not goood! Try to take your time(already said that

) and use zoom, fill, line and pencil! In some cases, even the round and square tool.

That's it from me, hope to see some improvements.

Saberteeth(SBsLo)

Steel Drummer · Wed 29/03/2006 18:53:30

thanks. I did all those things for the backgrounds that I remade and they still didn't turn out too good. Oh well, I guess it's just my style of artwork. I'll redo the characters symetrically.

Saberteeth · Wed 29/03/2006 19:16:37

Quote from: yodaman11111 on Wed 29/03/2006 18:57:34
One more thing, could you do a few voices for a game I made called 2010?

Em, you talkin' to me?

Nah, I have a sore throat and the game would probably shut down it hears my vocal abilities

.

Steel Drummer · Wed 29/03/2006 22:13:28

Quote from: Saberteeth on Wed 29/03/2006 18:23:14
Her, take a look at my paintover:

You see, it took me about five minutes to do it. I did a major change, don't you think? You see, most stuff you see is symetric(twin sided, the left side is equal to the right). So are humans and Bone. Make it symetric, take your time, use a different program, maybe? For the bgs, it is still not goood! Try to take your time(already said that ) and use zoom, fill, line and pencil! In some cases, even the round and square tool.

That's it from me, hope to see some improvements.

Saberteeth(SBsLo)

In your edit of my character, you made him super skinny. That's not very accurate

big brother · Thu 30/03/2006 01:29:16

Well, if accuracy is your goal, you should use Jeff Smith's drawings as reference for your sprites.

Here's a quick 3 color sprite for Bone to illustrate what I mean.

2x

Original on left.

LGM · Thu 30/03/2006 03:53:51

Why the hell did you give him a penis?

sergiocornaga · Thu 30/03/2006 06:08:17

To make it anatomically correct? Who knows.

Anyway, I think Gran'ma Ben needs a lot of work. Really, really lots. The first background you did looks a lot better, but with the second I think you should make the cliff walls less vertical, much more sloping. I know the panel in the comic you used as reference doesn't show this much, but I think sloping cliffs would work much better in an adventure game perspective.

BOYD1981 · Thu 30/03/2006 06:49:23

i remember when people used to be happy with these kinds of graphics in AGS games.
personally i think sprites suit the backgrounds and you shouldn't worry too much about drawing beyond your abilities just because there are better looking games out there, it's your game and it's going to be unique to you so use your own art style.

Steel Drummer · Thu 30/03/2006 15:40:03

Quote from: big brother on Thu 30/03/2006 01:29:16
Well, if accuracy is your goal, you should use Jeff Smith's drawings as reference for your sprites.

Here's a quick 3 color sprite for Bone to illustrate what I mean.

2x

Original on left.

Hmm... Well, it's hard to draw Bone from the front, since in the comics he's always on an angle/sideview. Should I actually draw him DOWN or at an angle?

Chicky · Thu 30/03/2006 15:59:12

Quote from: big brother on Thu 30/03/2006 01:29:16
Original on left.

lol

Hammerite · Thu 30/03/2006 16:09:45

i can see some improvements.

Nikolas · Thu 30/03/2006 18:44:38

Yoda: At an angle. Actually I think you should stop trying for realism and try something else. I don't think that you have the abilities to go for realism really. Dunno, your choices.

The rest: give the guy a break! he's trying to improve here, and he's doing the best he can and taking it much better than other noobs.

lo_res_man · Thu 30/03/2006 18:59:26

True, true, he is taking it SLIGHTLY better, but his arrogance is rather peeving, (not that I wasn't an arrogant twiddle in my day:P) as someone (sorry too lazy to check

) said, if everyone hates your work, it means your a genus or it needs work, we don't all HATE your work yodaman11111, we just see a lot of room for improvement. To quote a "driving miss daisy" when the maid messes up the ambrosia "it isn't QUITE the end of the world"

so keep working to improve, and while your at it have fun and welcome to this loony community 8)

Steel Drummer · Thu 30/03/2006 19:52:22

Well, for the first Bone game, I'll just try my best and leave it at that. If I make sequels, I'll improve the art.