I've been playing around with these sprites for the last few days and I like how they've turned out, but I thought before I had a go at animating them I'd upload to see if anyone had any thoughts or suggestions...
(http://www.onedollarproductions.co.uk/uploads/newmidge.png) x1
(http://www.onedollarproductions.co.uk/uploads/newmidge.png) x2
I'm especially unsure about the line above his stomach - I think it looks good in the front view but doesn't work in the side views. Also do you think he looks an interesting character and would you download a game with him in? All C&C and paintovers welcome.
Thanks guys!
The line look like a bulge from the front, but from the side it's just a line, a rather odd choice if you ask me.
It's awsome. only problem it looks like if you'd ripped of the skin of a teddy bear and glued a monkey mask on it. throw away the monkey face(edit:& the tail) and make a teddy bear out of it.
If you want to draw a monkey I suggest making it skinnier.
edit2: actually it's pretty good fro a monkey too I was just...
well anyway really good work. add some details, polish it that's all to be said.(by me)
It's a sheep monkey all over. Personally I like the style.
I really like it, clean and simple. That's my kind of thing. The only thing that interests me and something you might need ot think about is how it is going to walk. Just the lack of knees will be difficult to over come, but I have loads of faith in you 1$. Also the line/shadow thing, just show the line in the front view and take in the outline about a pixel or so in the other views and it should look a bit better.
I like the look of the character, but I think it needs some better color contrast, particularly for the face. With this in mind, I made an edit for you:
1. Changed the colors so his facial features are easier to read and went with a slight blue shade for his body.
2. Removed the connections from the arms and legs to the body, which gives a more natural look and will make for easier animations.
3. Removed the darkest shade around his face, hands and ears so they fit better with the rest of the body.
4. Added some aliasing.
(http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr218/ProgZmax/newmidgeed.gif)
I think the character has definite charm. Nice work!
I'm with Dualnames, I think it looks like a sheep (ok, maybe this is because I just returned from New Zealand ::) )
I think the sideviews work quite well, but in the front and backview the head is too wide. In the 3/4 view the head looks like a sphere, while in the front view it looks like a box.
Thanks everyone for the critique on my monkey/bear/sheep, and many thanks to Progz for the paintover. Lots of things to think about. I'll give it another go during one of my lunchbreaks, or maybe at the weekend.
Out of interest this was my original go at spriting the character for a game...
(http://dollarsquest.googlepages.com/Midge.png)
...maybe less like a sheep, but a lot harder to draw and (probably) animate.
Ok, here's where I'm up to now...
(http://www.onedollarproductions.co.uk/uploads/NewMidge.png) old x1
(http://www.onedollarproductions.co.uk/uploads/NewMidge2.png) new x1
(http://www.onedollarproductions.co.uk/uploads/NewMidgex2.png) old x2 (resized image)
(http://www.onedollarproductions.co.uk/uploads/NewMidge2x2.png) new x2 (resized image)
- Lightened the colours (though not quite as far into the red as ProgZ's sunburnt version ;)) and gave the face/hands/feet more contrast.
- Tinted the shadows towards blue as ProgZ suggested, which looks a lot nicer than grey.
- Lengthened the arms somewhat so that he might stand a chance of convincingly reaching objects when he goes to pick them up ;D
- Connected the arms and legs to the body
- Used ProgZ's suggestion for the stomach shading
- Bit of general messing with the rest of the shading and some of the outlines
- Resized the canvas to get a better idea of how he looks without borders
Also cat commented on the rectangular head, which I originally did to give him a bit more character. I still think it works, but I did another version with a spherical head for contrast...
(http://www.onedollarproductions.co.uk/uploads/NewMidgeThin2.png) round head x1
(http://www.onedollarproductions.co.uk/uploads/NewMidgeThin2x2.png) round head x2 (resized image)
So, any more comments? Anywhere it needs improving, anywhere its got worse, which head do you prefer... etc etc
Thanks guys!
My fave is the one in your previous one. I also really like your last one in this post.
I prefer the less oval head. The rounded head makes it look less sheepish and more monkey.
This one (http://www.onedollarproductions.co.uk/uploads/NewMidgeThin2x2.png) in case you were confused by what I meant.
Also, is the character supposed to be grumpy? I get the grumpy attitude look from him because of his downward angled eyebrows and half frowning mouth.
I really like the version with the round head. I think the facial expression gives him lots of character.