Pixelation

Critique => Pixel Art => Topic started by: Joe on March 17, 2010, 09:45:07 pm

Title: Self Portrait
Post by: Joe on March 17, 2010, 09:45:07 pm
It's been a ridiculous amount of time since I last pixeled.  In the meantime I've been working on my fundamentals, though not nearly as much as I should have been.  I got back into it and started this a couple of days ago, and here I am now:

OLD: (http://img532.imageshack.us/img532/86/joe.png) NEW: (http://img708.imageshack.us/img708/86/joe.png)

Using this old picture as a reference:

(http://img641.imageshack.us/img641/9494/sportraits012.jpg)

Obviously, I'm way off.  I fucked up pretty early on, and instead of fixing my errors I kept going and decided I'd fix them later.  It's a counter-productive habit.  I'd really appreciate it if you guys could critique this and tell me where I'm off.  I'd like to end up with something similar.  Thanks.
Title: Re: Self Portrait
Post by: ChadHachey on March 18, 2010, 12:32:36 am
Drop the ear down, the bottom of the ear should be just underneath noise. The (bangs?) should also come down a little, and of course, should be covering most of the ear.
Title: Re: Self Portrait
Post by: WM on March 18, 2010, 01:22:54 am
You're focusing on the nose way too much; first, refine and establish the basic shape of the head, then fit the features onto that shape. Try reducing the vertical height of the face, seeing as it's a tad too long right now, and bring the chin inward a little. Tilt the ear back some -- it's a lot less vertically-aligned than commonly thought -- and drop it down a little.

Fun fact: you can tell a lot about a person's thoughts and concerns about their face and appearance through self-portraits. People tend to exaggerate or 'set off' features that they are self-conscious or proud about  (:P). As for you, I can tell that you are focused on your nose, and are making it a little more prominent than it actually is. We naturally see noses as smaller, and when we sit down and draw (erm...pixel) a realistic face, it's a real wake-up call about how big noses really are.  :o

A very good start though! I like your palette choices -- very dynamic, very 'fleshy'.  :y:

Title: Re: Self Portrait
Post by: McClaneGames on March 18, 2010, 01:31:39 am
Your face is definitely more elongated in the pixel than the photo.  Your hair is a little more poofy in the photo than pixel, too, but the hair seems like a WIP right now anyway...

Great job so far!
Title: Re: Self Portrait
Post by: Joe on March 20, 2010, 01:42:20 am
I've applied your crits, and it was good advice.

(http://img94.imageshack.us/img94/4505/joe.gif)(http://img130.imageshack.us/img130/8915/joeo.png)

But I cannot for the life of me get that eye right.  And I feel like the contrast isn't enough as I have it.  Any thoughts? 

Fun fact: you can tell a lot about a person's thoughts and concerns about their face and appearance through self-portraits. People tend to exaggerate or 'set off' features that they are self-conscious or proud about  (:P). As for you, I can tell that you are focused on your nose, and are making it a little more prominent than it actually is. We naturally see noses as smaller, and when we sit down and draw (erm...pixel) a realistic face, it's a real wake-up call about how big noses really are.

I do recall constantly having disputes in my head because of this when I was younger, but I think the reason the nose turned out so big was because I paid it the most attention.  Interesting fact, though.
Title: Re: Self Portrait
Post by: alkaline on March 20, 2010, 07:31:26 am
Hello. I have made an edit for you. hope it helps.

(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/staplefish/joe2.gif) (http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/staplefish/joe3.gif)

what i did: your jawline needs to be extended along with your ear. The right portion of your next along with your shoulder needs to be larger. I also applied a general color edit. You could use some more intermediate shades. I think I added two new colors, the color used on the cheek, as well as an intermediate dark seen on the neck.

As for the eye, it seemed to be too far away from the middle of the face, so I brought it in. A highlight helps the eye especially.
Title: Re: Self Portrait
Post by: Manupix on March 20, 2010, 09:48:31 pm
I love Alkaline's colors, but the light on your face is actually blue in that ref (from blue sky). Just in case you want to stay close to it.
Title: Re: Self Portrait
Post by: Joe on March 21, 2010, 03:15:31 am
Adding two colors helped a buttload.

(http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/530/joem.png)

I'm going to refine the shoulders and neck now but I'd like to know what you think.  Especially on the dithering, it's not quite up to par.
Title: Re: Self Portrait
Post by: Lizzrd on March 21, 2010, 10:05:33 am
The chin part bothers me a bit, it looks a bit weird, like it has some jagged piece in your chin.
Title: Re: Self Portrait
Post by: Joe on March 21, 2010, 05:41:32 pm
Update.

(http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/86/joe.png) -> (http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/6324/joeob.png)

Lizzrd, I don't follow you.  Are you saying I should round it out more?
Title: Re: Self Portrait
Post by: Lizzrd on March 21, 2010, 06:02:07 pm
Yeah, round out the parts in the middle of it, it just looks a bit weird when it suddenly becomes jagged from the smoothness it currently has.
Title: Re: Self Portrait
Post by: Joe on March 22, 2010, 04:19:39 am
Just an update.  Fixed the chin issue.  Hair and background are major wip, though

(http://img682.imageshack.us/img682/8915/joeo.png)
Title: Re: Self Portrait
Post by: WM on March 22, 2010, 04:40:57 am
Just an update.  Fixed the chin issue.  Hair and background are major wip, though

(http://img682.imageshack.us/img682/8915/joeo.png)

I'm loving the skin and the head's form -- it really came together!  :y:
Title: Re: Self Portrait
Post by: Joe on March 23, 2010, 06:45:10 pm
Small update on the hair.  But more importantly, I forgot to say thanks to everyone who has helped me so far.  Thanks  :)

(http://img708.imageshack.us/img708/86/joe.png)