Little Girl Sprite

Mantra of Doom · Sat 22/09/2007 21:34:43

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.

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!

Domino · 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

fouridragon · Sun 23/09/2007 02:23:39

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.

Domino · Sun 23/09/2007 02:52:30

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.

fouridragon · Sun 23/09/2007 03:05:13

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.

Mantra of Doom · Sun 23/09/2007 04:57:04

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.

Stupot · Sun 23/09/2007 07:42:42

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

Mantra of Doom · Mon 24/09/2007 00:14:00

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

Oliwerko · Mon 24/09/2007 14:10:12

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

ThreeOhFour · Mon 24/09/2007 14:20:08

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....

Mantra of Doom · Mon 24/09/2007 14:40:16

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!

Oliwerko · Mon 24/09/2007 15:05:07

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....

Mantra of Doom · Thu 27/09/2007 04:30:18

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.

Oliwerko · Thu 27/09/2007 21:17:15

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.

Evil · Thu 27/09/2007 21:27:30

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?

vertigoaddict · Sun 21/10/2007 02:13:26

Sorry, I just can't help myself, I just had to fix her head!

Akatosh · Mon 22/10/2007 16:00:08

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.

Heartbreakid · Sat 27/10/2007 18:46:04

ahh the eyes THEY BURN

vertigoaddict · Sat 27/10/2007 23:25:28

The eyes are creepy but cute, you've got to admit that combination is grand!

Domino · Sat 27/10/2007 23:53:14

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...