My First Sprite - C & C needed

[vurt]

Hi all,

I'm no kind of artist but I have my heart set on coming up with a game that looks presentable at the very least. To that end, I've been working towards backgrounds, sprites and the like. This is the first sprite I've come up with. It's acceptable, but not much more. I'd really appreciate comments and criticism on how to improve.

I used eric's templates so I can piggyback off the walkcycles he's provided - I just modified the shape slightly and re-colored it.

Anyway, here goes... and please understand this is the first thing I've done anywhere near this arena.... so be gentle 

[Buckethead]

OK first thing I noticed was the weird position of his arms in the front few.  They are really close to his body and his hands look like they are holding something. 2nd at the back it looks like he's wearing a hooded sweatger but on the side he doesn't seem to wear one.

For the rest it seems like a very nice start, keep up the good work.

PS: It might be better to double the size with php code so people can see your image better. 

[vurt]

Cool - thanks for the tips. That's exactly what I'm after. I'm also intending to tweak the expression a little bit, cos I couldn't get that right. He looks a bit evil at the moment....

Here it is in double size for anyone curious:

[RyRayer]

Eyebrows play big part in expressions. Maybe they are too close to eyes.

[Shane 'ProgZmax' Stevens]

Please don't post images for critique in jpg format.  They are too artifacted to provide any useful paintovers.  Use gif or png instead.

[vurt]

Sorry about that... here it is in .png format. I've made a few mods from the original post...

[Illustrious]

From just opening the picture and looking at it told me the proportions are all wrong. The back view wasnt as tall as the front...
anyway
I fiddled around with it and Ive changed a few things about it, maybe you like an one or two modifications?

I added a collar at all angles.
Changed the hair so that its more lifelike with the placement of some side-burn and matched the rear view hair to the front.
Made the side view slightly wider.
Changed hem of t-shirt.
Pockets (Not sure if I even like the way Ive done them)
and one or two more.
(Looking at it now I could do a few more changes but its your sprite so Ill leave it)

Basically a few ideas for you. Good Luck!

[vurt]

Thanks, Illustrious. Some really nice touches there - I particularly like the changes on the hair and the hem/collar of the shirt. I tried to keep the proportions of what I was using for the template, but I did make some tweaks and I must've gotten it all screwy somewhere along the way.

If anyone else wants to have a touch-up, it's all much appreciated. I'm learning a lot from looking at different sprites and seeing what people do to improve them.

[Illustrious]

I liked that sprite so I started experimenting, same sprite different style.



[EDIT] Since N3TGraphs first post below...



(Hey Vurt, yes of course you can use anything you like from these examples)

Yes true 'N3T Graphs'... lately Ive been drawing and sketching alot more because I want to improve my knowledge of anatomy, I had missed out on that from vurts original post!
When posting that however, i did feel that something wasnt quite right, youve put your finger on it.
Yes does look crosseyed, I dont mind that though, Ive tried to change it a touch though, with him looking in another direction. Could you make it look as though his eyes are normal whilst looking str8 at you?
I had fiddled around with the arms for quite a while, given the amount of colours I used, I just couldnt get it to how I wanted it to look. Any examples that anyone would like to submit, to show me? (I wanted the arms to show a hint of muscle and a tattoo on the side)

I had just done it as a quick outlet of inspiration from the original sprite so I didnt put too much time into it.

I have some really neat sprites coming up for criticism soon though!

[vurt]

That's really cool - it's amazing (for me) to see what can be done from the same starting point. I really like what you've done with it, although it doesn't really suit the main character for my game. I would, if you don't mind, like to use the new beard though. Is that cool with you?

[n3tgraph]

Can't help to say it, but it looks like he's cross-eyed now :0

Other then that the paintover is good! But doesn't look futuristic anymore like it's meant (I think).

Illustrious, try looking at yourself (or someone else) on a picture for the anatomy of the human body.
The legs are too short (or his body too long) and his arms look a bit strange

Keep improving!!