Great edit, ptoing! You certainly know which tools to use (and how) in order to give expression and definition to an image. I can learn a lot from it, especially regarding colour choice.
I like a lot of the changes you did, so I tried to incorporate them in my own image. Yes, it's a very depressed and weighed down-looking Mario we're dealing with here, so the composition you suggested makes sense. I've added more open space above Mario, and I dropped his head about 2 pixels in an attempt to make him look even more compressed and weighed down.
I had completely forgotten about the sideburns! I didn't think I'd need to look at a reference to get Mario right, but apparently I should've
. Also, the ears should be visible as well.
And about that...
that... doesn't look like mario's hat...
No, I've taken some (actually conscious!) creative freedom with this piece. However, in some cases I've found Mario's hat to be quite plump, and that is an impression I try to display here.
I tried an alternate route in which Mario is also holding a fire flower (like he's out on another adventure, despite his sullen mood!). However, at the moment I'm not satisfied with the look of it. I'd like to make it hang more, as to reflect the overall mood instead of contradict it like I think it does now (what with Mario actually holding it up somewhat). Probably I'll just stick it in his aldready relaxed, drooping hand...
I did next to nothing with the pants in this update, but I'll probably work on that next (then I'll take your suggestions in consideration, Grimsane!). Anyway, that's why there's no detail and shading around those parts still. I also haven't decided on what to have in the background yet. I'll change it from being just a single colour though, for sure.
It's down to 10 colours right now. I'm gonna have to add a couple more ofc (brighter blues and reds for example).
Thanks for the support, everyone!
