GR#198 - Stone Golem - Form, Shading

[Szyu]

After a long time I made a pixel art... (as long as you can call it "art")
I tried to create a golem made of stone. However I am absolutely not satisfied with the shading. I looked at many references for stone shadings but I can't get it to apply to my work.

Goal is to have the golem be split up into its segments, so I can later just position them as I need to.

Any suggestions and critique is welcome.

[hellotherekyle]

I think adding some more texture to the stone might help. Right now, to me, it looks like gray popcorn! This is a good example ( though I'm not sure if you're going for a specific style with this)

[Szyu]

Thank you for the reference... But seems that I failed to apply it to my sprite...
I worked on the segmented body part... So feel free to criticize me..

[yaomon17]

Might want to try this url instead 
http://s17.postimg.org/pzbn0uhql/Golem_2.png

I think there is a slight problem with the forms on the body of the golem. It is pretty difficult to give it dimension when there isn't really a set shape in mind. Personally I would take it toward a more humanoid direction so that the golem would have some framework to work from and give you an easier time in establishing the shape.
Sloppy Edit

I also changed the colors around a bit and I think maybe adding some moss and cracks as final detail could make it look nicer. Good luck!
Also I probably did go too far from the original in the edit. Maybe just make it like a smaller dwarf framed style.

Maybe like this I'm not sure. Good luck again!

[Szyu]

Thanks for advice... this seems far more like a real golem
Think I also have to say goodbye to the thinking of black outlines...

What I now would really appreciate if you could tell me (or just state out) the steps I should take to get such shapes.. Do you start with a basic color and then just add shading and lighting? or do you do everything in the same step? I think knowing the procedure would allow me to understand more of pixel arts itself and to develop...

Thanks in advance

[yaomon17]

I like to picture rock golems as just a combination of smaller rocks

In this picture, I took a small rock and stacked it on itself to make a golem like shape. In an actual piece, it would be best to use different rock shapes. In the edit, the procedure I used was to block out shapes and then fill in from there like in this piece from cure

but I suggest doing that only if you have an idea of what the golem will look like in terms of shapes. Try to draw it out on paper and sculpt it up from smaller pieces. gl!

[Szyu]

Ok I think your help gave me just the idea to get started with!
As for the shape, I did draw the basis on paper... here is what it looked like before I started spriting it.


After your last post I tried to copy just the style to figure out how it works without outlining though i looks very nice. I have to say it now looks better... (though it is only style copy - shame on me)




EDIT:
So I experimented a bit and I think it goes into the right direction:

[Phoenix849]

I think rocks rarely have that sharp and pointy edges as well as complex forms. Try breaking them into several pieces or making them simpler.

Also it looks like it's gonna fall. Make him stand straight