Idle Breathing Animation! [C+C]

[Dyluckk]

This is posted in the pixel art as well, but I figured since he is animated...

This is supposed to be a idle breathing animation not really sure what else I should make move.. his feet? his hair maybe?  
I want the ribbons to flutter I just haven't got there yet.
I just feel his overall bottom half is too static.
(TRUST ME IT WAS A LOT WORSE XD)

[Alex Sinigaglia]

It's a bit difficult to animate sprites of this scale and adding in-between frames is worse.

How many frames do you want to add? How is he like (in terms of personality)?
Little sprites usually move and do something in place instead of breathing. I'm not saying to scrap everything (it can be helpful in other cases), but try to think about the idle in a different way.

If you want to keep him breathing or stand still, go crazy with the hair and the two blue stripes (think how the wind could hit them).
If you want him ready to fight, you could think about another pose, more suited to fighting and go from there.

[Dyluckk]

I've been working on a run cycle as of late.
I plan to come back the breathing though. (c+c please) 

[HarveyDentMustDie]

Simulating breathing with little room for animation is hard. Long time ago I've tried to make nice and clean breathing animation for Clayface. The only thing I didn't succeed to realize at the end was sub pixel animation. Here is the treat, maybe some comments will be useful to you.  http://wayofthepixel.net/index.php?topic=15196.0

[PixelPiledriver]

Look out for hitches in the motion.

[Skaz]

Just like Harvey mentioned, if you can't animate the overall shape, animate the colour. Sub pixel animation is a highly effective way to make motion without moving the outline of a shape. I personally use it with very small sprites (less than 16) and it's barely the only way to create a subtle movement.

look here : http://2dwillneverdie.com/tutorial/give-your-sprites-depth-with-sub-pixel-animation/

Metal slug's sprites use it a LOT. Part of the reason the sprites are amazing in this game ? One of the main reason I think.

[Dyluckk]

Look out for hitches in the motion.

I tried to fix the hitches.



I'm not really sure what to do to make his run look more sharp/intense any pointers would be helpful >.<

Also I revamped the Idle animation using most of the feedback that was given (again.. any feedback would be greatly appreciated):

[Gil]

It's a bit difficult to animate sprites of this scale and adding in-between frames is worse.

I disagree, I've made sprites smaller than this animate with way more frames. As long as the keyframes are solid, it doesn't matter.

[PixelPiledriver]

I'm not really sure what to do to make his run look more sharp/intense any pointers would be helpful >.<

Add more twist to his upper body.
The shoulder joints should move "forward and backward" as a result.
Same with the hips, but you may want to add less to them.

Here's one reference:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SnFoC37s5o
Altho you should look up others to cross ref, as different speeds and people will change how it looks.

Would do an edit, but I'm a little short for time.

[Gil]

The most important thing for an intense run is how long the feet touch the ground. I added some air time, the run feels quicker:


I went even further and just plain deleted two frames:


Side-by-side:

[Dyluckk]

Gil! 
Thanks for the tip! The air time and reduced frames really improved the whole feel of the run.
I moved his legs slightly back so he would angle a little bit more and trimmed down his 'can' of a body to fit the idle sprite a bit more.

PixelPiledriver! 
Here is my rough attempt (didn't spend as much time as I wanted to) at the torso and shoulder sockets moving.




I think he looks much better, but he still needs work.
Maybe head movement and hair movement? 

Thanks everyone for the critiques!!

[Gil]

Isn't it obvious what needs to happen? 




Notice the pelvis thrust, pretty sure this is what PPP meant

_{(I had way too much fun with this)}

[Dyluckk]

Isn't it obvious what needs to happen? 




Notice the pelvis thrust, pretty sure this is what PPP meant

_{(I had way too much fun with this)}

HAHAHA that is great Gil


I was able to work on the run a bit more today.
I changed the eyes to match his idle stance a bit more.
His head now turns!

Now the question is.. what else should I change o.o
Should his outer leg shift a bit too?? I'm not sure.





Update:

Changed a few things! More air time!! and sped it up a bit.

[Alex Sinigaglia]

It's a bit difficult to animate sprites of this scale and adding in-between frames is worse.

I disagree, I've made sprites smaller than this animate with way more frames. As long as the keyframes are solid, it doesn't matter.

I was saying about the difficulty, not that it's impossible. And then that's my case, other people may find animating in a smaller scale much easier than doing that in a bigger scale; I should have said that.
I agree with your point about the keyframes.

Also I revamped the Idle animation using most of the feedback that was given (again.. any feedback would be greatly appreciated):

That's what I meant.
A little more movement on his hair (don't just animate the spikes/tufts) and on his front and it'll be perfect.