Hello, here is a mockup of the tileset I've been working on. There are a number of issues that I am aware of, and probably a few that I am not. First, the dirt is very boring monocolor brown. I've been trying to figure out some sort of dirt texture, but it's all looked quite silly. Next, the colors don't look any good. I'm still unsure how to use contrast, saturation, etc.. to make a decent scene.

Here is the mockup:


And the actual tileset:


Any help, edits or suggestions are appreciated. Thanks.

Hello, I am considering hiring a pixel artists to do the main character of my 2D sidescroller, but need some help determining the cost. I am just a hobbyist, so everything would be coming out of my pocket. Here are the specifics about what the sprite would be like:

Animations

Atalanta sprites will be made in two parts. The first is her legs, and the other is her upper body. They will articulate at the sash over her waist. The character should be roughly 128 pixels tall, and however wide. The exact dimensions of each frame can vary within reason, as I am not using a grid based system to load the sprite. You may use an unlimited palette, as the game is in 32bpp.

Leg Animations
Standing (1 Frame)
Running (5 Frames)
Crouching (1 Frame)
Initial Jump (2 Frames)
Rising (1 Frame)
Peaking (1 Frame)
Falling (2 Frames)
Getting Hit (1 Frame)

Upper Body Animations
Standing (1-2 Frames)
Running (5-6 Frames)
Shooting Bow (2-3 Frames)
Jumping (1 Frame)
Peaking (1 Frame)
Falling (1 Frame)
Getting Hit (1 Frame)

Style

In this game, Atalanta will wear a white tunic, that extends to upper-mid thigh, with a sash around her waist. Her sandals will have the classic greek look, with straps extending most of the way up the calf. Her hair is blonde, and fashioned in to a pony tail. She has her bow visibly strapped onto her back, as well as a quiver of arrows.

I've got a vision of what it is I want, but I just need help determining how much this would cost. I understand prices would vary based on experience and skill level, so I am only trying to get a rough figure. The only pricing info I have seen was by the hour, which is fine, but if most pixel artists work by the hour, then it would be helpful to know how long these things can take. I am not an artist, so I could see these taking anywhere from 6-24 hours (of actual work).

So, if you were going to do these sprites, how long would it take you/how much would you expect?

Thanks for your help!

Hello folks,

Some of the stuff you guys have posted is jaw dropping. It got me thinking about what sort of time commitment getting to a reasonable skill level takes? Pretty much all of the artists I know have been drawing feverishly since they were young, and it makes me wonder if starting practicing an art is an uphill battle if you begin as an adult. I know some masters like Piccaso started later in life, but barring the type of genius/dedication someone such as he had, is it plausible to pick up this hobby?

I am a programmer right now, and while I picked that skill up fast and built it up pretty high, I fear art does not have the same, "positive feed-back" mechanism that programming has. What I mean, is that in programming, you are enticed by a string of small successes in making little programs, and defeating complicated bugs. In art, it seems, the learing curve is a constant sense of failure until your work resembles what you imagine it as. That kind of learning curve seems very difficult unless you got a head start while still a kid.

When did you start drawing?
How long have you been drawing/doing pixel art?
How good would you say you are at drawing/pixel art?