Thanks to all, and now the next step: ANIMATIONS
(http://img511.imageshack.us/img511/5374/walk006qx.gif) x2(http://img511.imageshack.us/img511/5374/walk006qx.gif)Ã, Ã, Ã, Ã, Ã, Ã, Ã, Ã, Ã, Ã, Ã, (http://img133.imageshack.us/img133/8892/talk024wo.gif) x2(http://img133.imageshack.us/img133/8892/talk024wo.gif)
this is the evolution of the character:
(http://img519.imageshack.us/img519/1228/evolution5pz.png) x2(http://img519.imageshack.us/img519/1228/evolution5pz.png)
What do you think about it? How can i improve it?
it looks cute.Ã, ;)
I think, you can make him a little bit smaller. IMHO there is no need to make him 228 px high.
You can also try vector graphic (there are a couple of topics right now about that) if you need thin outline. You'll be able to animate it with vector programs like Flash or Moho.
http://www.lostmarble.com/moho/screens.shtml
Yes, the sprite is too high.
But, which is the better way: draw it in a hi-res then resize or draw directly in the right resolution?
Good question. Working on the sprite itself is a better way. Make a sketch on paper first. And make sure the proportions are correct. Then open paint(or whatever you use) and draw a stick figure.Add details to it. Leave the hair and cloak for last. And read a tutorial about shading. Not a bad sprite, but it's a bit big. You better start with low-resolution sprites. ::)
- Sprite resized
- substitute black outline with a different one
(http://img240.imageshack.us/img240/9130/child00c4dn.png)
Is this the right way??
There is no right way, just a common way.
Here is what I can say: The hair looks messy. Try a more simple haircut for now. You use blue outline on teal hair. Not a bad idea if you know how to use it, but for now keeping it simple would do the sprite less harm.Don't limit yourself to Paint's default 28 colour palette. Make the colours yourself.
Also, the body seems too slim compared with the bottom of the dress.
It might not be the messiness, so much as the fact that it looks like a beard. Unless this creature has a very long neck, it's hair should be "resting" on it's shoulders.
I made a small paintover:
(http://www.2dadventure.com/ags/haircut.PNG)
(http://www.2dadventure.com/ags/haircut.PNG)
I gave the guy/gal a new haircut, changed the colour of the robe to a more neutral colour, changed the colourÃ, on the yellow "patterns" on the robe and added some shading.
Hope i helped!
Thanks guys:
new character:
- a small neck
- hair "resting" on shoulders (I hope)
- new robe and colours
@ vict0r: thank you for the robe (very nice) and the new colours, but don't touch the hairÃ, ;D
(http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/987/child00d4jq.png) (http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/987/child00d4jq.png)
Any other suggestions?
Not much for me to critic.
The hair looks much better, the proporsions seem correct and the dress looks pretty good. Maybe loose the blue on the sleeves (Just a suggestion) and replace it a goldy kind of colour.
The only real critic I have is on the colours. They seem too bright. Add a bit more contrast between the shades.
Yeah, the goldy kind colours are better.
A new a great step (for me). Face and hair should be ok, but the body is ...Ã, I don't like it but I don't know how to improve it. The belt is horrible.
Please, any suggestion? (maybe some cool imageÃ, ;D)
(http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/1240/child00e3gb.png) (http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/1240/child00e3gb.png)
Lovely. Move the shoulders down a little (never mind) and make the waste a little bit wider. That might help.
I've just seen your production thread and played the demo.
Seeing your character in the BG I thought him to be a tad too bright, especially the hair!
In your production thread it says you want to capture the atmosphere of Loom(TM), well it's mostly very sombre and melancholic, so your character needs to reflect that.
I also think that your outline is too inconsistent.
I tried my hand at it:
(http://www.2dadventure.com/ags/moony.png)
By the way, I was very impressed with the demo, and like what you did to the BG, but don't go to cartoony or you'll spoil that atmosphere!
Wow, that picture in the post above me is impressive. I love the Dark, evil, cartoon look it has. Im going to have to go track down that demo now :)
@ Mad
Wow! Thank you very much!
This image make justice to your great work! (before-right -> after-left)
(http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/2180/moony9qy.png)
Yeah, now the atmospere is melancholic.
The characters don't stand up in quality to the background, which looks great. Also they don't match in style and colors/lighting.
The resemblances to Loom are striking (tree, characters). Take care not to loose originality.
Thanks to all, and now the next step: ANIMATIONS
(http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/1940/walk007nu.gif) x2(http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/1940/walk007nu.gif)
Any suggestion?
I think it's fine, you definately have a unique style. ;)
It doesn't really walk... it makes a step forward and returns. Lift his leg when he moves it forward and keep it on the ground when it moves back. Try walking around to see how it works... ;D
Make the hair move a little... you know. Good work.
Added a couple of frames!!!
(http://img511.imageshack.us/img511/5374/walk006qx.gif) x2(http://img511.imageshack.us/img511/5374/walk006qx.gif)
Any suggestion about the the air movement? and also abaut the "walk"?
The walk is smooth and the folds in the robe are convincing enough. I think what you need is bobble! Typically, when the legs are farthest apart in a walk cycle, your head dips down. When they're closest together, the head is at its highest.
My only other suggestion would be that when we walk, we actually are falling forward with each step. There doesn't seem to be a lot of weight being shifted around which makes for that gilding effect.
I really like it, however, and I think that it's totally useable as is. Were you to make the head bobble, I think it'd be even better.
Is this bobble?
(http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/3848/walk027hh.gif) x2(http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/3848/walk027hh.gif)
and about the air movement?
Yup, that's bobble!
Hair is a little harder to explain. I'd be better able to illustrate it with a paint over. Anyone else have an appropriate way to explain it?
You can allways search for some animation tutorials. As far as I remember when the body moves up the hair moves down and the opposite.
That's correct, but given the sort of walk this character has, it needs to be really subtle.
(Yay, my first post!)
Tips for improving the sprite?Ã, Well, I've been closely examining the sprite for any possible flaws in detail, and so far the only thing I can find that could be improved would be the presence of the character's feet.Ã, If the characters feet poked out slightly from the robe as (s)he stepped, I would be absolutely convinced that (s)he was walking.
However in spite of this somewhat subjectional criticism of mine, I still agree with PenguinX that the sprite is totally useable as-is, just as long as all the other characters animations are consistent with the style used to animate this character. :)
...Yaay, this is now officially an extremely hot topic!
OK! This isn't an animation (it should be the talk animation).
I tried to move more pixels (hair and face) but the result was horrible.
(http://img458.imageshack.us/img458/5091/talk002wc.gif) x2(http://img458.imageshack.us/img458/5091/talk002wc.gif)
Please, suggestion!!!
Maybe animated the arms a bit - people do tend to talk with their hands.
(http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/4639/talk012nf.gif) x2(http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/4639/talk012nf.gif)
???
Eh I think Penguin meant moving the arms up and down... The way you've got them moving now looks like he's trying to walk...
Watch a daytime talk show real quick or something; seems like those people always talk moving their hands. Might give you some ideas...
The sprite looks great though! Reminds me of Morpheus from Sandman!
FF6 had a Terra that morphed into esper and flew away. I suggest you get some inspiration from Terra's espersprites.
Terra's sprites
(http://www.videogamesprites.net/FinalFantasy6/Party/Terra/)
When your character would fly, you could make him lean forward and if she's going fast, make her hair fly in the air. (You know, not that she would lose her hair :D)
EDIT: Also, you could make she close her eyes if she makes herself fly...)
Roaming hands or not, the movement of the head really sells it. Good job!
No more arm movements!
(http://img133.imageshack.us/img133/8892/talk024wo.gif) x2(http://img133.imageshack.us/img133/8892/talk024wo.gif)