Pixelation
Critique => Pixel Art => Topic started by: Artard on November 29, 2007, 07:52:42 pm
-
Hi I'm very new to pixel art and have only drawn 3 pixel drawings in my life and I really want to get into it.
So I'm making this thread as motivation to keep me going and for help. Right now I suck beyond belief but we were all new at some point right?
I need pointers as to where I should start,what program is best (I have MS Paint,Photoshop,Graphics Gale at the moment)
Also what objects should I start with? I know I'm starting with way too advanced objects.
Are there non colored pixel drawings that I can try shading, Can someone make me a few?
I've decided to not go near tutorials because people have different ways of doing things and I'd rather take all your guys advice.
So onto it, My first pixel drawing (Don't laugh too hard)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v203/DarkElenter/tree.jpg)
Can you guess what it is? lol
-
Kinda looks like made some textures and then just kind of removed a tree shape. :P Seeing as you've got over 400 colors, I'm gonna guess that's pretty much what you did.
Now before I forget, I want to mention something about tutorials. Yes, people do have different ways of doing things, but fallowing a tutorial isn't going to mess you up. It's not like they tell you in a tutorial were to put every pixel to make a tree. What they usually do is outline the basic procedure to do something. For example, I read a tutorial on how to make trees a few years ago (can't recall it, but I'm sure someone will link to it once I describe it), and the most important thing I picked up from it was that trees aren't a sphere on a stick; they're a group of spheres on a stick.
What that basically means is that trees have branches and clumps of leaves, which yours isn't showing. Really though, the best way to learn how to sprite a tree is to get a bunch of tree references and go for it. I'd recomend doing that. (You could try drawing them from life too; you just want to train your mind how to make trees, it doesn't have to be in pixels).
From a technical stand point, the tree needs more contrast, and less colors.
I did this color reduction and contrast adjustment real fast just so you can see how it fairs better.
(http://img127.imageshack.us/img127/9708/blargan9.png)
It's STILL not a tree, but it's at least a LITTLE closer to decent pixel art. Try using a low res program like MS Paint, because Pixel art is a low res art. Photoshop over complicates it, at least IMO. (It is nice for it's layers, and other little instant tricks, but I prefer paint).
Why don't you try drawing the lines yourself? Right now, it seems like line work is something you should get down first. (Afterall, usually you've got to draw something before you color it).
And don't be afraid of tutorials! You'll learn something good from them. :)
-
Ah I see, Thanks :D
What I did was I just drew an outline with black and colored it in with a bunch of diff green shades xD and yeah I know it sucks :)
Thanks for pointers, ALL the advice helps alot I'll keep trying and post another drawing.
Oh and I'll look up some tutorials, Anyone who is able to share some links please do, Appreciated :lol:
-
Never save pixel art as jpg, save as gif.
Here's a sloppy 15 min edit; I'm tired.
(http://img124.imageshack.us/img124/8648/edit66sz5.gif)
So, I added volume to it, and some texture. Two critical things it both severally lacked. I also changed the colours alot. They were all neon like :)
We don't want your tree to be a Vegas casino sign!
Good luck with it! And remember, everytime you save pixel art as JPG, god kills a kitten :yell:
-
wow you turned my bad pixel art into something nice :)
And I'm sorry i killed a kitten :(:(:( I'll know now :'(
-
Here is my second tree, I have read 2 tutorials and it's improved a little. I still am struggling though :(
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v203/DarkElenter/tree2.png)
I just can't get the colors right! or the shape :yell:
-
I'd say the best way to improve your colors and shape is by looking at a real tree. Be sure to look at it objectively as a collection of forms and colors, and not as what you know to be a "tree". Except for pruned bushes, no real tree has such a spherical clump of leaves. Also your trunk is a little bit too big for the size of the leaf clump; there's just nowhere for all of that trunk to go. :P
-
search trees on google, thats where id start.. it seems like you're clueless to what actually makes up a tree, theyre made up of a trunk and split off into branches. Id go about this like its the skeleton of the tree and add over the leaves once you know the structure because it looks like a lollipop atm. Even cartoony trees have some hint of classic tree structure.
(http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/5959/treeld1.png)
bit rough but wouldn't it make more sense working on it that way rather than having to sculpt it down to shape.
-
Thanks!
Makes sense :)
I'll keep trying everyday and post my progress. Thanks for the help everyone I appreciate it :lol:
I'll start working on more simple objects too for starters, a tree seems a bit too detailed for me right now.
-
I made an RPG style base icon and I'm having a hard time animating it and coloring it properly,no matter what I do it never looks right!
Any pointers???
(The guy with the red hair was just me testing and playing around with the base)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v203/DarkElenter/Base.png)
Edit: Updated
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v203/DarkElenter/Base-1.jpg)
Edit: Updated once again
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v203/DarkElenter/Base2.jpg)
-
For these sprites, unless these are just frames in the middle of a walk animation, should probably have both feet being level. As of right now, the sprite simply looks disproportionate. Also, when doing pixel art, it is never a good idea to save it as a .JPG file type, I would recommend .PNG or .GIF. To change file type, while saving there is usually a scroll bar to change file type, simply scroll down until you find the correct type, and save it as that.