Hello everyone,
I just recently ran across this website and forum and I decided to try my hand at making a simple game. But it's been a long time since I've done any pixel-jockey work and I think I need a bit of constructive criticism and advice on shading.
This little girl is 6 years old. Her name is Wombat. I can't decide if I like her as a redhead or a blond. The green shirt she is wearing is one she stole from her older brother, it has a pocket on the inside and is how she carries around her inventory.
I know her head is oddly-shaped, but I want to keep a cartoon-ish style, but I can't quite make her hands look any better without redrawing her head.
Here she is with a transparent background.
(http://www.asmedleydesigns.com/myspace/test2.gif)
(http://www.asmedleydesigns.com/myspace/spritetest.gif)
Here she is on a test background. I know this background will be changed quite a bit as well.
I appreciate any help you guys can give! :)
They look good. But the eyes seem to be black dots.
Give them some proper eyeballs.
So far, so good.
Domino
I like your ID photo better than your sprites. DID you do it yourself? But yeah she's cure... and I don't agree with Domino about the eyes.
You like the avatar with a neatly drawn anime style eye, but yet, you like the black dots for eyes?
This character needs the same thing. More definition of the eyes.
edit: not trying to sound mean, just in case anybody thought that. :)
I love Anime or Manga style eyes, yes. But little dots for eyes is ALSO a manga style. E.G. Paper Mario, or any of a dozen Chibi Variations.
LOL, well, I didn't think that my post would turn into a bit of a style argument. Yes, I did the art on my avatar, it was for a digital paper doll I did some years ago.
I think I'm going to go with the red hair, as blond makes her look like a deformed Cabbage Patch Kid or a child version of Lavern from DOTT. Then I went and fixed her legs a little. For fun, I kicked out more "anime" face. I'm not so sure if I like it, as that takes away from some of the charm away from the shape of her head.
(http://www.asmedleydesigns.com/myspace/test3.gif)
I think she looks cuter with the black dots for eyes, but somethings up with her left eye. I think it should just be a little black square, just like her right eye.
[Edit]
*corrected left-right confusion. Back to primary school I go
Thanks Stupot, I think the straight eyes look better. I had a thought that I was going for an off-kilter look, but I don't know how far I could carry that theme in animating it. So simplify! Yeah.
Here is a rough turnaround... I'm still clueless on how to shade her. I've decided that she'll most likely keep the green shirt on the whole game. I didn't want to get ahead of myself trying to animate her taking off and putting on a sweatshirt when the last walk-cycle I animated had me in tears ;)
(http://www.asmedleydesigns.com/myspace/turn.gif)
I think she is very well done now. Maybe the head in the side view is a bit off, but I find everything else pretty good. I like your style. Sprites do not have to be always detailed. The trick is in the style. And you have got one.
Keep it up :)
I agree she is very well done for a sprite without shading. Just a little question - Is there like a tear in the cuff of her right sleeve on her jumper? I seem to be able to see her hand through there....
Thanks for all of your comments! Yes, her shirt is torn under her arm and on the sleeves (it is based on a real shirt worn by a real little girl). I was going to be ambitious and explain such a thing with an animation but... I think since this is my first go, I should just stick with simple tasks.
I think once I fix her head in side view (something is off about it, but I can't tell what), I am going to just try a walk cycle and forego the shading... I have to keep reminding myself to keep this simple ;) again, thanks for all of your comments!
I would try to make the side view head more thinner. It is a bit too wide. And also her nose is a "part of her face", it doesnt make the outline, I hope you understand what I am trying to say....
I've got a preliminary walk cycle (just the legs so far)... something is funny about the leg on the right (her left leg) but I can't quite put my finger on it. I can also post the frames if someone were willing to help me smooth out whatever funkiness is going on. If I can't work it out, I might just play up the fact that she's a little girl or (in grand adventure game fashion) just have the character blame the programmer/animator on any bugs or inconsistencies.
(http://www.asmedleydesigns.com/files/walk2.gif)
It is really hard to tell how it would look when arms and body movement is done. Try to do it and you will see what is wrong with the legs. I think they are ok for now, but as I said, it is hard to tell now.
Yeah, its hard to tell what it'll look like until the whole thing is done. The only thing I notice is that she looks more like she's kicking than walking. Maybe because she's not picking up her leg after she steps?
Sorry, I just can't help myself, I just had to fix her head!
(http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y271/dagaran/untitled-1.png)
Aaah, the eyes! The eyes! They are haunting meeeeeeee...
Seriously now, the fixed head looks pretty nice, but the eyes seem a... little spooky now.
ahh the eyes THEY BURN
The eyes are creepy but cute, you've got to admit that combination is grand!
Quote from: Domino on Sun 23/09/2007 01:30:34
They look good. But the eyes seem to be black dots.
Give them some proper eyeballs.
So far, so good.
Domino
Real eyes, not Demon eyes...he he he... :)