Pixelation

Critique => Pixel Art => Topic started by: Dastardly on December 02, 2009, 11:44:09 pm

Title: Getting back into pixel art
Post by: Dastardly on December 02, 2009, 11:44:09 pm
Hi all

I've been lurking here for a little while now and it seems like a really cool place with some very talented artists, so I thought I'd join up.

I started pixelling in the early 90s on Deluxe Paint 2 on the Amiga and really enjoyed it. I haven't produced anything for a long time as I've since moved on to Photoshop, Illustrator etc to pay the bills. I've recently decided to get back into it purely for my own pleasure and I have to say, I've missed it!

Here are a few examples of some of my recent, first attempts at isometric work. Any constructive critisism is appreciated, so let me know what you think and where I could improve.

Cheers.

(http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/170/firestation.png)

(http://img686.imageshack.us/img686/9652/taxi.png)

(http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/8932/hotelg.png)
Title: Re: Getting back into pixel art
Post by: WM on December 02, 2009, 11:57:31 pm
...

(http://img686.imageshack.us/img686/9652/taxi.png)

...

Very solid foundation, but a few things bug me:

The first thing that stands out to me are the tires -- they dont seem to be strongly defined within the isometric perspective. Unless you intend for them to bulge out a little, I suggest giving those hubcaps some horizontal symmetry.

If you look up pictures of cars (from front view), you will see that the sides of the body (e.g. the doors) actually round out a little and tuck back in at the bottom -- tires on a car are actually set inside cavities carved into these curves, and are slightly deeper than the doors (more or less; depends on the car  ;)).

The hood should start to dip starting from the bottom of the windshield and moving towards the headlights; this could be a straight line or a gradual curve, it's your call.

Maybe give that front bumper some more definition? Maybe let it jut out from the front a little more, just to clarify with the viewer that it is in fact "there".


I realize that some of the things I mentioned might be a byproduct of the style restrictions that you are working in.
Title: Re: Getting back into pixel art
Post by: Dastardly on December 03, 2009, 10:13:17 pm
Many thanks for the tips. Please bear in mind that this is my first attempt at an isometric car so I realise it's not perfect. Every isometric piece I attempt I try to tackle something new that will challenge me and help me learn a new technique. I am struggling with iso arches and curves at the minute so thats why the wheels aren't as good as they possibly could be.
Title: Re: Getting back into pixel art
Post by: Manupix on December 04, 2009, 01:39:03 am
I like the fire station best.
A few minor issues:
the flag can't hang like this without folds; the truck looks a little weird without a hint of a wheel; flag and truck don't have shadows.
You might introduce some little changes in the joints between bricks, esp on the right side, even erase them in places; as well as 'dirtying' the building a bit.

Car: what WM said.

Hotel: I don't think the green works well with the purple. Same thing as above for bricks and dirt.

All pieces: I'm not too sure about the large sidewalk tiles; it might also look better to have sidewalks go around the buildings, if you don't plan to draw adjacent ones.
Transparencify the white bg!