32x32 Sprite for sidescroller (ongoing, feedback requested)

[vvight]

Hi there,

This is my first post. I have been making pixel art for rpg makers such as OHRRPGCE since ~2000, and it is only recently that I have begun working in sizes larger than 16x16 pixels. I am finding it challenging to make a decent sprite that doesn't look anatomically "wack" at 32x32. I have been blocking out the basic body parts by colour and have come up with this:



I am looking for feedback on the pose, dimensions of body parts and general advice. Also, "Hi Pixelation!"  . I felt that this place would be better for feedback than pixeljoint, as the forums there don't seem to be as active and the focus is more on "accomplished" pixel art ie not as beginner friendly.

I aim to use this thread to demonstrate ongoing progress with this particular sprite and I invite any and all feedback and help.

Many thanks in advance.

[Gil]

Maybe a quick question: if you feel like your anatomy feels off in these bigger pieces, you could show us some of your anatomy sketches on paper? Those give a much better indication of what your current skill level with anatomy is like and how to structure our critiques around that knowledge.

[vvight]

Hi,

Unfortunately I don't have access to a scanner right now. I've noticed that my problem seems to be the length of the arms and the angles of legs, as well as torso shape. Basically proportions. I'm going to be working more on this sprite today, after which I'll upload some more images and perhaps it will become more apparent. Thankyou for your reply.

[vvight]

Thoughts?

Fixed your links. Make sure to directly link to the image. - Atnas

[Decroded]

Add vertical movement

[Gil]

I'm not sure if it's supposed to be a run or a walk. With a run, you want at least some frames where he is completely in the air. Right now, you always have him contacting the floor with at least one foot. And what Decroded said, you have to move the rest of the body up/down.

[Shanenopolis]

Here's what it should look like with a little bit of vertical movement:

[Gil]

I like the slo-mo. Looks like he's either in an epic montage or running away from a giant explosion

[Shanenopolis]

I like the slo-mo. Looks like he's either in an epic montage or running away from a giant explosion

I was tempted to tilt his body a little bit and speed it up, but there's something rather graceful about his pointed toes and upright posture. Like a beautiful swan in an Olympic track meet.

[Decroded]

At this speed we see arms move too linearly.
We want a nice pendulum/sin wave effect which means ease-in ease-out with big movement through the middle.

[vvight]

Thankyou all for your feedback and suggestions. In what ways could I improve the posture of this character so that he does not appear to be stiffly upright and running a marathon? How could I give the appearance of, eg, dashing adventurously through a ruined temple ready to engage the next foe? I will make the arms less linear, perhaps tilt the chest forward slightly. Could the head/neck be angled differently or repositioned?

Many regards.

[vvight]

Feedback incorporated as best I could. I still haven't got to tilting the body or altering the pose yet, looking to get the arms right first. What do you think Decroded? Was this what you meant by your comment?
I'd love some feedback about the proportions. To me it seems like perhaps either the legs could be slightly lengthened or the torso shortened a pixel. They seem a little bit short in comparison to the arms, but it might just be that I've been working on this image too long and need a fresh perspective.

As always, many regards for your help and feedback.

[vvight]

Another iteration. Lengthened the legs and shifted/added a frame so it didn't look like his leg was in the air too long at the back. Made his feet plant more firmly on the grand upon landing and played with the arms a bit more. Which version do you think looks best so far? What would you change?

Cheers.

Edit: Found the legs a bit jerky on that last one, but will leave it there for posterity. Here is an improved version: