My first pixel art

Sandersen · Thu 04/04/2013 20:52:04

Hey,
just made my first pixel art! straight from head to photoshop. Took longer time than i thought it would do, about 5 hours:)

There is no big concept around this, just a picture i had in mind.
Could be nice with som critique, tell me what would make this much better! If its just stupid and ugly pleas tell me:)

pl1x · Thu 04/04/2013 21:58:26

For your first pixel-art it is very good! When I look at my first pixel-art it is, I don't want to say words that are not so cool.. (CRAP!)
Good job!

Cheers!
-Marcel / pl1x

gameboy · Thu 04/04/2013 22:00:29

I think it looks cool. Definitely not stupid and ugly.

You're off to a good start. I would personally avoid using gray for shading ice and replace it with blue-ish tones.

Anian · Thu 04/04/2013 22:42:22

Quote from: gameboy on Thu 04/04/2013 22:00:29You're off to a good start. I would personally avoid using gray for shading ice and replace it with blue-ish tones.

This.
See how the feathers on the right arrow kind of get lost when there's ice behind it. Pixel art requires higher contrast (or rather contrast has a more obvious effect) between colors, because the image is small. Since pallete is more important/noticable great effect can be achieved if you for example change ice to blueish tones, water slightly green/teal and maybe even the sky can be red or yellow. Depending on what atmosphere you want to convey. Just remember that when in doubt go for a bigger difference.

Other than that image looks interesting. Kind of appropriate for the shut down of LucasArts Studio.

Sandersen · Fri 05/04/2013 00:06:14

Thanx people!
I did some adjustments from your suggestions!
Snow in the air, evening sky, all grey tones to blue tones, more contrasts here and there, softer edges on green blood in the snow like its sinking, blood in water, and red toned water with improved reflections.
I think there is much more mood in the picture now, what do you think? Please tell if there is more to do to improve it!

pl1x · Fri 05/04/2013 00:31:03

I found nothing that you can improve! Well done! I think you're a awesome pixel artist at the moment!

Cheers!
- Marcel / pl1x

cat · Fri 05/04/2013 08:34:46

I agree that it is much more atmospheric. But now that you have used gradients, its not exactly pixel art anymore (I see that on the color count). Take a look at this tutorial http://www.kafkaskoffee.com/tutorials/gradients.shtml.

I think the purple of the "thing" still needs more contrast. Try making the darkest purple even darker and align the other purple tones accordingly.

Sandersen · Fri 05/04/2013 11:15:02

Thanx, and here goes again. Sky is now in true pixel art:) And contrat is very much fixed, is it too much maybe?
I also removed the snowflakes in the air, i felt it was a little distracting.
And I am thinking if the snow on the ground could be improved, but I am not sure how...?

dactylopus · Sun 07/04/2013 04:02:18

This looks awesome, and you've already made a lot of progress.

Keep up the good work!

Andail · Sun 07/04/2013 19:37:58

I think you could be more careful with the highly saturated colours, and the highlights.

Basically I let the surfaces that aren't necessarily hit by light turn towards a more bluish hue, and slightly less saturation. I think this makes it slightly easier to look at. I also used brush strokes to suggest its shape, and also made it a bit more shiny/slimy. Note how the bright purple that was all over your version is only found at the highlights in mine.

I just drew over your enlarged version, so the pixel size is weird, obviously.

Stupot · Sun 07/04/2013 20:47:13

For a first go at pixel art this is impressive. I'm jealous. But you asked for critique so here it is.
It might just be my monitor, but the brightest of the green shades is really distracting, even in Andail's desaturated version. It kind of jumps forward and almost doesn't seem like part of the picture, as though someone has splattered a glowstick on the Mona Lisa.

EchosofNezhyt · Mon 29/04/2013 21:22:04

Wow its badass.
Idk why but the consept is sick

Once you finish it I'll prolly use it as a background

The stuff andail said is pretty spot on though it looks great as is either way.

Mouth for war · Thu 02/05/2013 23:31:27

It's awesome. Poor Purple tentacle

EchosofNezhyt · Fri 03/05/2013 01:32:29

Finish it so I can use it as a wall paper!

joesblog · Thu 20/06/2013 00:26:41

That looks really nice, Say... you're not by any chance a fan of Dungeon Master? .. It reminds me of one of the monsters from that!

DBoyWheeler · Wed 26/06/2013 03:58:06

Wow! This is seriously cool! Both the original, and the updated version that Andail did!