Pixelation

Critique => Pixel Art => Topic started by: skw on February 08, 2007, 10:41:35 am

Title: Edgar Allan Poe CGA
Post by: skw on February 08, 2007, 10:41:35 am
(http://republika.pl/falloutmodding/eapoe.gif)
http://www.pixeljoint.com/pixelart/18022.htm
EDGAR ALLAN POE (1809-1849);
worked from scratch, with help of a printed reference picture I found in a book.
CGA|320*200 gfx mode, should be viewed on full screen (rectangle pixels), preferably through a DOS-compatibile img viewer.

I haven't really liked CGA, I just couldn't buy it... until I saw some of the recent Lackley's works. Obviously, there were (and are) lots of interesting CGA pieces I liked (and like) before, but they just didn't push me to make my own, like Lackley's did.
It took me a few days of work, 1/2h daily, to learn why this guy loves the palette. I, too, fell in love with it and I'm quite happy with the effect (which doesn't happen often). Thank you!

If you like it, please leave a comment; if you don't, critique is also welcome*! :)

*though I consider it finished
Title: Re: Edgar Allan Poe CGA
Post by: ptoing on February 08, 2007, 01:39:00 pm
Very, very good use of the palette I have to say. Awesome job.
Title: Re: Edgar Allan Poe CGA
Post by: Lackey on February 08, 2007, 03:16:29 pm
Just fantastic.  I have no critique for you, it looks like you've figured the palette out completely.
Title: Re: Edgar Allan Poe CGA
Post by: ptoing on February 08, 2007, 03:30:45 pm
Well, to be honest, it's not THAT difficult. All you have to do is think of it as 4 shades of grey :)
Title: Re: Edgar Allan Poe CGA
Post by: khorin on February 08, 2007, 03:49:30 pm
Great job on the portrait! The colors are great.
Title: Re: Edgar Allan Poe CGA
Post by: Filax_666 on February 08, 2007, 04:09:35 pm
I really love this author, he was a genius. I adore the piece as well, even though I'd change a few things...

(http://imagehost.ensellitis.com/imagesv2/8006385618poeskurwy.png)

...mainly related to likeness, and would also deepen the shadows (maybe even more than in the edit) to help acenctuate the dark mood related to Poe.
Title: Re: Edgar Allan Poe CGA
Post by: Helm on February 08, 2007, 05:12:37 pm
Well what can I say? Congrats!
Title: Re: Edgar Allan Poe CGA
Post by: Lackey on February 08, 2007, 05:20:54 pm
Dark palette 2 just for kicks:
(http://individual.utoronto.ca/lackey/pixel/edit/greenpoe.png)

Interesting, the gray in the original is far more discrete than the green is in this.  I didn't even notice that you only used it for his face.  Now he looks sick.
Title: Re: Edgar Allan Poe CGA
Post by: skw on February 08, 2007, 08:49:09 pm
Firstly, I'd like to thank you for all the kind words.  I'm happy not only I like it. :)

Surprisingly, I found working with CGA more comfortable than in case of a broader VGA.  With such a small amount of colours, it's harder to loose control over a composition, and easier to correct all possible mistakes.  As a matter of choice, I prefer fixed palettes.

@Filax: That's a really impressive edit, I must say!  I just love the way how you gave him that aggressive, even fierce look.  It reminds me of this book cover picture (http://republika.pl/falloutmodding/poeedgarallan50gb.jpg), but makes me also think I've put the work a little too early on Pixeljoint.  Editing it now wouldn't be quite OK. :)

It's interesting how he looks applied to the second palette, Lackley.  Odd but that gloomy mood it has fit the theme perfectly.  I think that though the CGA#2 setting is a way more uncomfortable to work with than CGA#1 (some call it ugly), it has a fairly large potential that one may make use of.  I probably give it a try on the occasion of my next piece.  Maybe you should make something, too?

CGA#1, in turn, creates the mood, I'd call, pestilential, maybe melancholic.  That's why I've choosen Poe to portray.

Quote from: Lackley
I didn't even notice that you only used it [gray] for his face.

Yes, that was intentional; however, it seems that the green on the #2 palette may be more efficient in setting up lighting that the gray in the first scheme.
Title: Re: Edgar Allan Poe CGA
Post by: Filax_666 on February 08, 2007, 09:37:39 pm
I referenced from another book (http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/8497940342.01.TZZZZZZZ.jpg), whose cover appears to be a close-up of that one.

Quote
Editing it now wouldn't be quite OK.
Why is that?
Title: Re: Edgar Allan Poe CGA
Post by: Helm on February 08, 2007, 10:50:55 pm
Lackley?!
Title: Re: Edgar Allan Poe CGA
Post by: skw on February 09, 2007, 12:25:11 am
Quote from: Filax_666
Quote
Editing it now wouldn't be quite OK.
Why is that?

Hehe, you see, after throwing a piece into a gallery, I always promise myself I won't change anything. I wouldn't probably stop making some cosmetic improvements here and there.

Many people rated it, some added to their favourites. Playing with it would 'confuse' the situation. :)

Cheers!
Title: Re: Edgar Allan Poe CGA
Post by: Lackey on February 09, 2007, 01:21:19 am
Quote from: Skurwy on February 08, 2007, 08:49:09 pm
I probably give it a try on the occasion of my next piece.  Maybe you should make something, too?
Aha! (http://www.pixeljoint.com/pixelart/18034.htm)
Title: Re: Edgar Allan Poe CGA
Post by: skw on February 09, 2007, 11:58:51 am
Lovecraft! wonderful portrait! The colour setting and that distant lightning flash (or fire) make him look a kind of diabolical. :)

The gray/blue relation from the #1 palette is compareable with the orange/brown from this one.
Title: Re: Edgar Allan Poe CGA
Post by: Ai on February 09, 2007, 12:52:17 pm
According to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Color_Graphics_Adapter you have the option of using a red (given as #aa0000) instead of a purple with that palette; Trying this out, I think this matches the kind of writing he did better than purple.
Title: Re: Edgar Allan Poe CGA
Post by: skw on February 09, 2007, 01:12:14 pm
Let's see...
(http://republika.pl/falloutmodding/eapoe_red.gif)
The contrast between the red and blue is a little too big, however, it also makes an interesting effect. I like the purple better, though.

(http://republika.pl/falloutmodding/eapoe_hints.gif)
High-intensity (128/255 instead of 64/192)
Title: Re: Edgar Allan Poe CGA
Post by: Lackey on February 09, 2007, 10:36:42 pm
Quote from: Ai on February 09, 2007, 12:52:17 pm
According to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Color_Graphics_Adapter you have the option of using a red (given as #aa0000) instead of a purple with that palette; Trying this out, I think this matches the kind of writing he did better than purple.

Interesting!  I thought it was something of a hack, but I believe that Cross Country Canada uses this palette (not that it's the height of graphical skill).  I think I will try it out soon.  There's an intense version of this "palette 3" as well.

Quote from: Skurvy
The gray/blue relation from the #1 palette is compareable with the orange/brown from this one.
Yeah, it's interesting because it's not entirely an even spacing of values.  The two darker shades are closest in palette #2 while the 2 lighter shades are closest in #1.  This is probably why CGA 1 scenes always seem brighter.