Mean character not mean enough

[Anarcho]

This is supposed to be a mean guy, but I don't think he looks mean enough. Also, are his pants too straight?  He's supposed to be a rough, working class kinda guy.

Any suggestions?  Any other c&c would be appreciated.

[R4L]

His arms look too short IMO. Try adjusting his eyebrows to an angry expression, heres an example in crappy ASCII:

>8|

R4L

[Anarcho]

Good point, I extended his arms a bit and moved them forward.  Also highlighted his brow, hopefully that makes him a look a little more menacing.

[gypsysnail]

The arms do look better but for the eyebrows, I would suggest upturning them outwards like this  \    /   but not too high like the slashes lol, just a bit, at the corners. Or alternatively just add a bit of slash, very short ones, at each outer corner, so it looks almost like the slash example above. If you want, I can fix up the image if you like, just as an example one and if you dont like it, you dont have to accept it. Just let me know. It wont take me long to do it. But first try my suggestions above. Hope it helps. Cheers

[Anarcho]

I've played around with the eyebrows like \ / but he ends up looking like vulcan.  There's only 3 pixels to work with and i haven't found a good combination.  If you can come up with something good, I'd appreciate it!

[gypsysnail]

Ok can you post me what you have done so far, it might help give me some idea. You can post it here or in pm.

[Mac]

I've got it! Give him a monobrow.

EDIT:

[Damien]

The main two issues, in my opinion, were the eyes and 90° H that the shading and the mustache produced.

With that removed, there was some pixel pushing around the eyebrows to try to make him look mean. Not very convincing, he looks a bit surprised now.

Also, his hands were pushed out 1px, but I don't know why. 

[gypsysnail]

Damien, I think you have done very well to alter it, he does look mean IMO that is.

[aussie]

I think you've already improved the facial expression as far as possible. I've given it a go, but as you say there are only two or three pixels to work with.

Other things that may help.

- Add a couple of dark pixels below his crotch. The gap between his legs looks a tiny bit too long.
- Perhaps the color of his clothes is too bright to be menacing. Maybe a less saturated blue would help.
- Also his jacket looks a little too... elegant? I don't know. Maybe get rid of the buttons and make it a round-collar sweater.

[MashPotato]

Looks good so far ^_^.  To make him a little rougher/sloppy looking, I suggest rolling up his sleeves, and unbuttoning and untucking his shirt, showing his vest underneath.
(PS: I'm really looking forward to this game ^_^)

[Anarcho]

Damien, i like your edit a lot, thanks.

Rolling up his sleaves is a good idea...i'll try that out.  it's supposed to be winter outside and cold inside, which is why i wanted long sleaves, but he'd look tough with sleaves rolled up.

And did someone just accuse me of TOO MUCH saturation?  That's never happened before.  I'm not sure how to react.

Ok, here's a new edit using Damien's changes, and rolling up the sleeves:




I think he's much scarier!  Thanks everyone.

[thewalrus]

     Looking plenty mean. I also can't wait for the game..... Good luck, Anarcho!!!

[aussie]

And did someone just accuse me of TOO MUCH saturation?Ã,  That's never happened before.Ã,  I'm not sure how to react.

Oh, no!! I didn't accuse you 

I just thought the blue was a tiny bit too bright for a scary fellow, that's all. But I dig the sprite, for sure.

[Anarcho]

Don't worry Aussie, I won't hold it against you.

Here's a hopefully final edit, with the arms out a bit, a new belt for beating his children, and some darker shading.  Oh, and he's totally got a package now. Thanks Progz!

[EagerMind]

I tried trimming down his eyebrows a bit and giving him more of a furrowed brow. Don't know if I succeeded at all or made any sort of improvement:



It also seems like you use a lot of shades of color. I don't know how many total colors you're using, but I think you could probably cut down to two, maybe three, different shades for each color and simplify your sprite a bit.

[Buckethead]

I think he defently looks mean now.  The only thing that still bothers me is the single pixel at the top of his head. What's the deal with that? It looks a bit strange.

[Anarcho]

It's meant to be a cowlick.  I kinda like it.

[sergiocornaga]

I changed the eyebrows, and one other pixel elsewhere on the face.



Also, I can't help but feel that you're using way too many colours. 32 is a good place to stop.

[Anarcho]

Why does it matter how many colors I use?  It shouldn't slow down the game, unless you're running on a 486 or something.  Maybe it's time consuming for me, but if I don't care, what's it matter?