Pixelation

Critique => Pixel Art => Topic started by: SCiDT on February 06, 2007, 10:23:03 pm

Title: [WIP] Evil Shaman - Updated 11-02-2007
Post by: SCiDT on February 06, 2007, 10:23:03 pm
I created the Evil Shaman for the competition, however I want to improve my pixel art skill and the picture as a whole.

What do you guys recommend?

EDIT:

(http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w11/SCiDT/comparehistory.png)

And the WIP

(http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w11/SCiDT/wip.gif)

EDIT: Will upload new Wip later when I am finally done. :)

I think I did do some major changes to it already, but I just know it can be improved. (since as helm pointed out I have no real technique behind it)
Title: Re: Evil Shaman - Taking it a step up :)
Post by: pkmays on February 07, 2007, 02:25:35 am
Skin looks better with the added contrast, but the green is too plasticy. Needs some reds or browns to make it more organic. The color ramp is boring, goes from green and just gets darker without any hue shifting. Background is blue, so the environment would be having some effects on the shadows. Orb might make shadows warmer is some places as well.

Grass needs to communicate light source better. Add some blueish yellows where the light from the orb hits the ground. Ramp for the grass is boring as well, goes from a light blue and just gets darker. Night sky looks washed out, could probably be darker and more saturated.

Eyes are unreadable. Needs more contrast, whether it be something darker than the face, or lighter.

Earing doesn't look like it's attached to the ear. Piercing needs to move farther to the left.

Title: Re: Evil Shaman - Taking it a step up :)
Post by: SCiDT on February 08, 2007, 05:34:50 pm
Thanks pkmays!

Ill Try touching up on those issues you mentioned thank you!
Title: Re: Evil Shaman - UPDATED 11-02-2007
Post by: SCiDT on February 10, 2007, 10:34:49 pm
Ok I know double posting is bad. But this is worth it I think Plus had to Bump for you all to see the update :)

Its coming along nicely, I love the way he looks now I am still messing with the coloring aka: the robes and the skin probably wont change much but I am understanding this color thing a whole lot better I think.

Anyway The update :

(http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w11/SCiDT/PAEntry17.png)

No its not done yet, obviously but it will be soon. :)

Heres the history of the Entry and then the update and the latest update.

Thanks.

SCiDT

(http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w11/SCiDT/comparehistory.png)


EDIT: (Again) LOL I was playing with the colors probably more boring now  >:(

Anyway...

(http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w11/SCiDT/PAEntry20.png)

As you can see the skin tone now has a blue tint too it :) helping with the night sky, the robes are now brown.

I like the feel of the cartoon style more.  Anybody Else have an opinion?
Title: Re: [WIP] Evil Shaman - Updated 11-02-2007
Post by: pkmays on February 11, 2007, 08:12:05 am
Definitely a change in the right direction. I think you'll see some gains if you continue experimenting with hue shifting. The skin looks better in the update, but the cloth looks a little too desaturated now. Also look for ways to better unify the palette so you can mix colors around more. For example, with a little tweaking, it might be possible to use darker shades from the skin to smooth out or AA areas of the cloak.

(http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w11/SCiDT/PAEntry20.png) (http://img45.imageshack.us/img45/5062/paentry20mz1.png)

Changes:

Removed most of the outlines. There are several small outlines and partial outlines all over the piece that don't contribute too much. The back leg is a good example of using shapes over lines to render form.

Upped blue in skin shadow and changed the cloth ramp. Exaggerated areas that are in shadows and area that are hit by the light. Distributed the hightlight shade more effeciently as less than 20 pixels where using the shade in the original.

Added 2 buffer shades to the skin to smooth out transitions. Made the light hitting the outstretched arm a rim light. Used some shades from the cloak to AA the rim light. Enlarged the bands around the arm.

Re-textured forhead using the buffered shades. Created strong light on face. Clarified expression. Brightened pupils.

Added toes to rear foot, made front foot larger. (Goes off the image, not good compositionally) Beefed up the front legs knee, added a rim light.

Added one grass shade. Adjusted colors and reworked the texture (sloppily).
Title: Re: [WIP] Evil Shaman - Updated 11-02-2007
Post by: SCiDT on February 11, 2007, 10:01:38 am
Wow THANKS!

I will definitely study your paint over drastically!

Thank you!

Ps:
I love what you did with the grass, well generally what you did to most of the pic.