Pixelation

Critique => Pixel Art => Topic started by: premonster on September 13, 2013, 02:59:21 am

Title: Chase Kings [WIP][C+C]
Post by: premonster on September 13, 2013, 02:59:21 am
I'm starting to work on a side-scroller prototype with a friend, and im responsible for the pixel art. I would like some critiques and comments, since there are so many great artists willing to help in the forum.

There will be 2 teams (red and blue like TF2), each with around 6 characters to choose from, and i would like to keep it simple on the colors/shapes/size.

(http://premonster.com/theDworf.png)

(http://premonster.com/lineup1.png)

(http://premonster.com/satyr-running.gif)
Title: Re: Tribal - Working Title [C+C]
Post by: tim on September 13, 2013, 11:05:18 am
It looks simple but lovely !
Although should avoid the obvious symmetry, especially considering the clouds and the animals.
Title: Re: Tribal - Working Title [C+C]
Post by: premonster on September 13, 2013, 07:38:47 pm
Thanks for the feedback Tim!

I'm working on the satyr animations and the attack looks really bad (it's just 2 key poses - anticipation and the blow, blended with some of the idle animation).

I think i need a lot of help on this, and would really appreciate it.

(http://premonster.com/satyr-idle.gif)

(http://premonster.com/satyr-attack-idle.gif)
Title: Re: Need heavy tips on animations [WIP][C+C]
Post by: Decroded on September 14, 2013, 06:59:26 am
quick edit.
im out of time now!  ;D

(http://i1126.photobucket.com/albums/l615/Decrosion/satyr-idle3_zps730a361a.gif)

Title: Re: Need heavy tips on animations [WIP][C+C]
Post by: premonster on September 16, 2013, 01:07:08 am
Thanks for the edit Decroded, i like it!

I'm aiming for something like the Scout on TF2. I think this one could be a better base for the attack key frames:

(http://premonster.com/satyr-attack.gif)

(http://premonster.com/satyr-idle.gif)



This is the running cycle, i want him to have an attack for when he's running, so he won't stop to attack...

(http://premonster.com/satyr-run.gif)



Uploaded a lineup of 3 the characters i already have made.

Still looking for tips on animation, i know only the basics and i'm just trying the best i can with it.

(http://premonster.com/lineup1.png)
Title: Re: Looking for animation tips [WIP][C+C]
Post by: Decroded on September 18, 2013, 08:59:21 am
Cool.
quick comment: big guys face is too similar to king guy.
maybe he is a little bit younger (king used to look like that), big chin with a grey 5'oclock shadow or something.
Title: Re: Need heavy tips on animations [WIP][C+C]
Post by: Seiseki on September 18, 2013, 11:07:22 am
Thanks for the edit Decroded, i like it!

I'm aiming for something like the Scout on TF2. I think this one could be a better base for the attack key frames:

(http://premonster.com/satyr-attack.gif)


Looks like the arms go round and round his body..
It should go back the same direction when he's charging up for the swing.
Title: Re: Looking for animation tips [WIP][C+C]
Post by: Decroded on September 18, 2013, 01:35:52 pm
Yeah I agree.
When I first saw that I thought I'd like to see a 2-hit loop where it swings back and forth, but I didn't know if thats what he wanted.
Title: Re: Chase Kings [WIP][C+C]
Post by: premonster on September 20, 2013, 12:37:57 am
@decroded: Thanks for the help man! I've made the king with a longer beard and hair, as well as fatter and shorter... But i'm not satisfied with his overall design so i'm going to rethink him, as well as the jester...

@seiseki: The arms have to go back, you're right! I've completely missed that... I wanna have him attacking while moving, that first attack is kinda lame. :x

I'm starting to shade the characters, starting with the one i like the most - the dworf. Any tips on lighting, etc (it's my first pixel art with this kind of shading)? I think i lost the "mech" feeling on the shoulders...

(http://premonster.com/dworf.png)
Title: Re: Chase Kings [WIP][C+C]
Post by: Decroded on September 20, 2013, 08:10:35 am
Extremely tired but had a little go at it.
Dunno if your after this kind of rendering but i played around with material by making the colour transitions less linear with smaller speculars.
Also darkened the back arm and leg to add depth.
(http://i.imgur.com/kOQEh1c.png)
Title: Re: Chase Kings [WIP][C+C]
Post by: premonster on September 20, 2013, 05:33:52 pm
Yes, it looks really good!

The darker limbs behind the torso and outlines, less blocky color transitions... And lighting is helping define the shapes way better, specially on the shoulders, legs...
I can learn a lot by comparing those two, can't thank you enough!

Edit:

(http://premonster.com/theDworf.png)
Title: Re: Chase Kings [WIP][C+C]
Post by: big brother on September 20, 2013, 08:54:10 pm
If you look at TF2 characters, a lot of care was taken to give them unique silhouettes so they would be instantly distinguishable in-game. Because the colors are unified to show team affiliation, the shapes become even more important for identifying unit type. Currently, the king and the knight share too much -- same approximate size, same head atop an upside-down U body. I recommend exploring the contrast between sharp angles and curves to highlight the differences between these units. Best of luck!
Title: Re: Chase Kings [WIP][C+C]
Post by: PixelPiledriver on September 20, 2013, 09:39:17 pm
(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jFBbVkUikiA/Ujy_wAoqLCI/AAAAAAAAHtY/aSHGf_qObKg/s1600/teamFortress_ColorBalance.png)

Also note the color placement and quantity.
Title: Re: Chase Kings [WIP][C+C]
Post by: Decroded on September 21, 2013, 02:11:47 am
Currently, the king and the knight share too much
Agreed.
Just some ideas on that.....

Knight (we've labelled him that now!) could be younger, smaller armour around the hips maybe a weapon sheath, sharper shoulders, less slouched pose with chest plate protuding more, different chin and facial structure and lose the moustache as I mentioned.

You could make another grunt character thats hunched over.

King could stay same shape, add distinguishably decorated pauldrons with cloak attached.

Probably lose the similarities between character apparel, switch colours around etc.
Knight's armour could be practical while the king is adorned with more decoration, gold chain etc.