For starters, I am having a dark background, and I need the blocks to pop out [almost 3D] and I need help with getting more information into my character. [The green guy]



This is a cut from an ingame screenshot. For starters, I am more then willing to add colors and shades to the character, and I am open to suggestions of the block. Although, if I may request it, I'd like to keep that perspective, since I've already built the engine. But if it's absolutely needed, I'll change the perspective. The graphics are base 42x42.

I want to thank you for your help on my other topic, the maggot boss has actually gone quite well [I'd upload the picture, but I'm at work].
These are clearly not the final graphics but merely placeholder graphics. I've given myself until the end of August to perfect these graphics [most of that time will go towards level design].

If any of you have any images of runestones, or any old carved rocks, I'd like to see if you can get me something more exotic then the google/wikipedia fare. As for the character, he's just wearing puffy pants, a la Prince of Persia/Aladdin 16-bit style. And yes, I know this is a gunstar edit [I did make the editing myself, I'd know] and it's only temporary until I finish my good quality versions.

So, edits, suggestions, improvements, all that jazz. I'd like to see where I should start making this guy anew.

Drawing

Basic Shading/Color Blotting


I really need some references on a good way to shade this beast. Somebody got thing I can sorta study to apply to this thing, it's for that game I'm making.

I've been making a computer game called Abyss for a long time. And right now, I'm just trying to nail down a particular style.
I am going for a darker them, but I'm having trouble with readability in darker shades, so if somebody could help me improve. I'm going for a bit of macabre or horror style.
This beast is the 'Goomba' of my game. The common enemy. He is something of a horizontal Thwomp, ergo the spikes. Touching him kills you.
The size can not be bigger then 48x48, as that's the tile size of my game.


Keep in mind this is for a computer game, tell me which one is better, why and what I'd need to improve.

I'll be frank: the only parts I like are the clothes, but I realize I could improve them. So folks, give me some crits.

I was actually very unhappy with the old one, and made a better one paying closer attention to anatomy and body structure. I hope it turned out better.

Alright, I need a bit of advice on these sprites, in terms of styles and methods. I'm going for a simple Sonic style character, makes on Chaos.



The last one is her running [minus shading], pay no mind to her shoulders and head, but I need attention on the legs, does it look like she's running?

Crits & Comments?