Fclass Tries It: Spriting

[TheFclass97]

So I'm trying something out (sorry to occupy the space where REAL artist come and sprite) and I guess I'm getting somewhere. Using resources and help/tips from a past thread I created (check in spoiler), I re-did a Peridot sprite for a (hopefully) up-coming character I'm planning on making. I'm trying to get use to shading and how lines work... So, your thoughts? Any feedback would be great (still kinda new to spriting, like 2 weeks in to this stuff, but I do wanna try to get better).

Spoiler (click to show)

http://mugenguild.com/forum/topics/pen-tool-pixel-issue-177079.0.html

This sprite in particular was re-done all the way using some of HQ's original edits to my original 1st sprite. Still working on it, so idk if this would be the final sprite or whatever, but yeah.

Edit: Oh shit, forgot to add a small pic of just the sprite... Here ya go.

[AlexSin]

(sorry to occupy the space where REAL artist come and sprite)

You shouldn't even worry about that, you're coming here to get more help/showcase your graphic work and that's enough. Don't feel inferior to others, we're all here to learn and have fun.

Here's some feedback:
- The sprite needs some cleaning here and there (you probably already know that);
- I would make her left (viewer's right) leg a bit longer than that, the thigh looks short; also the knee pad (same leg) looks bigger than the other one, I would make it smaller.
- Does the light come from above? Then the face and the feet need to be shaded.

[TheFclass97]

You shouldn't even worry about that, you're coming here to get more help/showcase your graphic work and that's enough. Don't feel inferior to others, we're all here to learn and have fun.

Here's some feedback:
- The sprite needs some cleaning here and there (you probably already know that);
- I would make her left (viewer's right) leg a bit longer than that, the thigh looks short; also the knee pad (same leg) looks biger than the other one, I would make it smaller.
- Does the light come from above? Then the face and the feet need to be shaded.

My bad man...

- I do know that, but I feel like I'm not entirely sure where it needs clean-ups exactly. Some looks obvious while others... I can't seem to see with my own eyes.
- I got you on that. I'll check that out in a bit.
- Yeah... I'll try to fix that.

Thanks a lot man. Hope i can somehow make something decent here.

[R565]

It's a great start man, and we have a lot of great artists that can show you some things if you're really dedicated. AlexSin pointed out the major things that stuck out and as long as you work on those things and keep them in mind, you'll go far. Don't ever think of yourself as inferior because everyone can still learn about stuff, and we just want to have fun because in the end, this is still a hobby. Shoot, you did better than me when it comes to drawing art.

[TheFclass97]

It's a great start man, and we have a lot of great artists that can show you some things if you're really dedicated. AlexSin pointed out the major things that stuck out and as long as you work on those things and keep them in mind, you'll go far. Don't ever think of yourself as inferior because everyone can still learn about stuff, and we just want to have fun because in the end, this is still a hobby. Shoot, you did better than me when it comes to drawing art.

I'm trying, heh. Art has always been a weak point and something I almost felt like I NEEDED to learn (especially at college). But not to make this into a sappy story, thanks man, like I said i'ma try my best and see where it goes. I'll make some adjustments in a few and post them.

[lui]

that's actually a great start, there ares some rough edges here and there but you have some great potential

[TheFclass97]

Thanks guys... Sadly, I haven't made much changes to the original sprite since once again I wanted to try a different approach/stance. So in a car ride, I drew some concept art. You think the stance thing I did could work as a sprite for Peridot? (the stance I used as inspiration/reference was MvC2 Jill).

Spoiler (click to show)

Also, Happy Thanksgiving.

[TheFclass97]

2nd try at doing "sprites". Not sure if i'm getting the hang of it, but I feel like it's not too bad (still wip tho). Thoughts?

Spoiler (click to show)

I still gotta learn how to anti-alias and whatnot... :/

[hatter]

Looks pretty good to me. I'd say maybe make the hand a tiny bit bigger (unless that's how they are to the character, then no need).

Anti-aliasing will become second nature when you practice it. It's not as hard as it seems, and this is coming from a person who had no grasp on the concept 2 years ago. Just keep pushing them pixels!

[TheFclass97]

Looks pretty good to me. I'd say maybe make the hand a tiny bit bigger (unless that's how they are to the character, then no need).

Anti-aliasing will become second nature when you practice it. It's not as hard as it seems, and this is coming from a person who had no grasp on the concept 2 years ago. Just keep pushing them pixels!

Yeah, she's kinda short in the show so I tried making it within a skinny and short space. My only issue right now is doing arms and hands, but thanks man. As for the anti-aliasing, I think I can still use the sources ya'll gave me previously. Do you think this is better than the 1st Peridot sprite I made? (1st post if you need tocheck) I decided giving her a less fighting like style would be a bit more fighting (at least when she doesn't have her limb enhancers on).

[altoiddealer]

The inner outline of the hair (around the face) should be a lighter tone.

It stands out in stark contrast of the rest of the sprite.

The leg outline looks too dark, too, in comparison to the arms.


I'm no sprite master, but the way I usually choose outline colors is to pick the fill color, then open the color window and only adjust the "B" (brightness" by a fixed percentage.  If you use the color values of the arms/legs/hair/skin fill, and deduct 20% brightness for the outlines, you will have a more uniform look.

I think you generally want to use the same Saturation % value throughout the sprite as well.

[TheFclass97]

The inner outline of the hair (around the face) should be a lighter tone.

It stands out in stark contrast of the rest of the sprite.

The leg outline looks too dark, too, in comparison to the arms.


I'm no sprite master, but the way I usually choose outline colors is to pick the fill color, then open the color window and only adjust the "B" (brightness" by a fixed percentage.  If you use the color values of the arms/legs/hair/skin fill, and deduct 20% brightness for the outlines, you will have a more uniform look.

I think you generally want to use the same Saturation % value throughout the sprite as well.

Ahh, ok. Cause I was doing that, but I had 0 idea what would be the best percent. I'll try that. As for the leg outline, it's just complete black cause I didn't finish the outline... But I will, thanks.

[Saint]

Neat Drawings Dude! I ask, are you using Steven universe Model sheets as reference. if not you should. it will help very much!

[TheFclass97]

Neat Drawings Dude! I ask, are you using Steven universe Model sheets as reference. if not you should. it will help very much!

Yes and no. I originally tried simply using screenshots from the show (1st time, don't judge me kappa). Then I tried doing my own concept art/sketches, and it only worked coming up with how her normals look. Then I said fuck it and used more screenshot references and whatever I could get my hands on to get an idea of how she would look in pixel art (while trying to do my own thing and look up other sprites for stance ideas cause that was really what gave me the most trouble... at least for now). I don't use models sheets cause ima scrub cause I wasn't sure if it would work right. Glad you kinda like it tho (and any help would be great).

[TheFclass97]

I think I did a thing? Does it look better now? (color wise)

[altoiddealer]

Big improvement.

Ignore the legs here... I was messing around with them.  But see what I did with the mask here - I think it looks more like a mask this way.

Spoiler (click to show)

But about the legs, the stance is so much more powerful in your sketch than in the sprite.

[TheFclass97]

Big improvement.

Ignore the legs here... I was messing around with them.  But see what I did with the mask here - I think it looks more like a mask this way.

Spoiler (click to show)

But about the legs, the stance is so much more powerful in your sketch than in the sprite.

That's cause the sprite wasn't using the sketch at all (sadly). I couldn't seem to sprite my sketch, no matter how hard I try. As for the mask, her eye, eye brows, and pupil technically share the same color in thee show, so I wanna keep therm using the same color. Another thing about the sketches and her sprites is that whenever I tried to give her more of a "fighting" stance, it never fucking works out for me. Also, she's not much of a fighter without her limb enhancers (she's basically acts a bit more coward-ish, so I wanted to originally give her something that spells "try hard" in her stance). Then I gave up and tried a different stance entirely...

[TheFclass97]

For fuck sake, I can't even... I feel like I'm getting progressively worse. How do I get a grip on this thing?

[AlexSin]

To be honest I think the first style you were using was the best one for this character.

Anyway, what you're doing now is trying to shade without a plan, heheh.
(If you want to shade the sprite) Always think about the light source and don't add a darker shade near the outlines like that, you're giving the sprite a lot of banding.
Between the two sprites you've just posted:

in my opinion the best one is the first one.
No shading (it isn't always necessary). I would just try to clean the lineart a bit, some things look too blocky such as the wrists and hands, try to make them rounder. A good reference for your character may be this one: http://vignette4.wikia.nocookie.net/villains/images/f/f9/PeridotS.png/revision/latest?cb=20151013023740
I've noticed the hair could be fixed looking at the reference I just linked to.
In case you don't know some words...

[TheFclass97]

I had a feeling I would use that picture as a reference... Alright, i'm so sorry for sounding so annoying, I just don't wanna make another shit tier cartoon char to add to the mugen list, and for some reason I've just been SUPER focused on making a decent Peridot. Ok, I'll try the 1st style again from scratch and clean up whatever and NOT add any shading. I'll keep ya'll posted, thank you very much for the response and help once again.