Sprite Critiquing

[Rentorian]

I'm startin' to make sprites for the game I'm planning and I figured getting some input from people who know more than me would be a good idea.  Now without further ado, say hello to Jay:

I think the 3/4's and side views turned out decent, but something just bugs me about the front view that I can't seem to put my finger on.  Any and all help would be appreciated.

[Ethan D]

Here are a few improvements. (I think)


Also, I noticed that the shading you used was pillow shading with the outside being darkest and getting brighter as it goes in, which looks ok with characters but then the light source doesn't look quite right.(or so I've been told.)  But then I don't have much experience with characters so feel free to disregard that bit!

-Welcome to the forums!

[Calin Leafshade]

my thoughts:





I'm not sure i've improved it.. I'm sure Khris will come and put me in my place soon enough

Ethan is absolutly right about pillow shading though.. Light doesnt behave like that.

Also i've increased the contrast.. your sprite looks very washed out.

[Captain Ricco]

I guess ill just join the party

yours

my version


Calin came up with a nice solution for the "crosseye problem"

What i did was slimming the whole front vie one pixel, but i get kinda unsure about that, cause I usually tell people to do the other way aroud

[Questionable]

I love what Ricco did with the pants but I much prefer what calin did from the waist up. I think you should look at the two and try and find a medium between them.


P.S. Don't consider what I did a paint over, I just got back home from being away for a while so I was looking for random reasons to draw! =D

[Rentorian]

First off, thanks for the help with everything so far.  With the most recent revisions we now have:

This.  I'm thinkin' it looks a lot better now but as always I'll welcome any help or suggestions.

On a side note, is it just me or does he look really angry?
Although it does fit him.

[Calin Leafshade]

In the side view I'd move the head back a pixel (like in my edit)

I wouldnt outline the hair the way you have.. the top of the head would be the lightest part of the sprite and having that outline there just looks pillowy to me. (again like my edit)

The angryness is due to the eyebrows and the way they merge with the hair. I added the eyebrows to break up the face and solve the problem with the eyes.. but you could take them out if he was too surly.

[Shane 'ProgZmax' Stevens]

First thing:  Is this supposed to be a boy/young man or an adult?  Under the assumption that this is a boy, I made some edits mainly to adjust shape and color but also to bring out certain features.

1.  Adjusted poses to give the boy a more natural, expressive look, including showing the arch of his back in the side view.

2.  Altered shape and position of arms to make them look more relaxed.

3.  Altered colors to improve contrast and appeal (less dull mustard pants, better ranged skin tones).

4.  Altered face, separating the eyes so they are at least one eye apart, otherwise the character looks cross-eyed as in your front pose.  Also raised hairline somewhat so eyes look more centered in the head as they are in reality.

5.  Redrew hair to look more realistic and added ears to avoid the 'helmet' look.

6.  Various shading tweaks to make the lighting look less random.






None of the other edits really addressed what I'm showing you here together (better use of color, basic anatomy & pose) so I felt it was worth making an edit to give you some ideas.  I hope it helps!

[Rentorian]

Once again thanks for the pointers, especially ProgZmax, your response and especially the edit you made really helped out A LOT.

Now here's Jay as he is now:

Chances are that this might be how he'll look in the game but if there is anything that someone thinks of that would improve him don't be afraid to let me know.  Things can always get better after all.

[GreenBoy]

Looks great now.

[Questionable]

I honestly can't remember what I've changed, so: just compare yours vs mine! =P

Sorry, I redrew this in the morning and I just got home now.