Metools!

[Keand64]

So I decided to try and do a couple variations of a metool, using this as a reference:



I made three "concept art" style pics at the same size as the reference:



The first one was just a cleaner version of the reference, the second is the same as the first except with colored outlines, and the third was me experimenting with black shadows.

and one sixteen by sixteen pic:



C&C is welcome for all of the pixel art.

Most Current Metool:



EDIT:  Desaturated the shadows a bit more, did an attempt at AA, and shrunk the image down to 64 by 64.

[FRAWG]

Well, black shadows aren't really a good way to go. they look to plain and bland. Many people experiment with color and saturation when they shade.
Also, the shading could be better and more smooth, the reference wasn't good for that purpose, anyways.
The form looka nice, but some AA could be helpful on the edges.
Banding is very evident in the middle one, for sure.

Basically it could use more shading and refining here and there.

[Keand64]

I played desaturated the shadows a little, when I get a bit more free time I'll try adding AA and possibly making it a more sensible size like 64 by 64.



Also, could clarify on what you mean by making the shadows smoother?

[MicKo]

I tried to make an edit here. I might have overdone it with the AA though.

[Keand64]

Tried to take into account your edit, especially regarding palette choices (something I have a lot of trouble with).  I also got rid of the shadows' outlines, and thickened the outer one.

[MicKo]

Here's another edit.

Again, I might have overdone it with the AA. :p
What disturbs me the most with your most recent one is the fact that you didn't AA every spot that needed some.
Here's the comparison:

[Keand64]

I made a couple new edits:


For this one I just added some more AA, plus an edit of the outline, which feels too jagged in my previous one.


In this I was just trying out a glowish outline.


And  in this I was experimenting with a dark metool thing.

[adcrusher524]

I think throwing in some backlighting might help

also you had some colors just for aa'ing but I think if you used those colors to shade it would look better.

[Keand64]

I added some extra levels of shading and backlighting per adcrusher's edit, and also did a first attempt at dithering.  The cross on his helmet seems a little off, possibly because it's one of the only areas without shading, but I'm at a loss as to how to fix it.  (Every time I try to shade it, it just seems to conflict with the lighting on the rest of the body).

[McClaneGames]

The newest version is a great improvement.  What I would work on is your lines - they seem a bit jagged, especially on the eyes and the 45-degree line at the top left.