Pokemon-Trainer Backsprite [WIP]

[EddyZ]

Hello folks 

I'm working on a Pokemon-Game (Fun/Fanproject)
But I am in Trouble with the backsprite(s) of the Trainers...
Every time I try to create some backsprite I get enraged, it looks very creepy...

I dont have much experience with anime/manga drawing
maybe this is the reason.

I try to flow in a little bit of my own Style.

This is the Frontsprite


And the Backsprite[WIP]  :
Update:


Old:


My reference:
http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb275/hawkfire42/hgss-trainers-back.png
It looks like, Game-Freak used a Template for a lot Trainerbacksprites. (same pose)
Thanks for Help
(sorry for my bad english) 

[Nmb910]

This is critique for the frontsprite. The backsprite is perfect. I would say the problem would be the pose, but there is a few little things that contribute. Mostly the variations in detail(His right hand looks amazing, btw) plus it not using the dither/pillow shading that was in most of the pokemon games makes it seem to not fit with the other sprite. Besides that I don't really know what to say. :p
Pokemon Front sheet for reference:

EDIT: Removed some of the stupid stuff I tend to say.

[Ymedron]

What pillow shading? None of the pokemon sprites are even remotely close to being pillowshaded.

Now, I think the problem here is 1. The sprite's size. The style changes quite a bit when you scale up the sprite. 2. The shading seems to be too high contrast compared to the pokemon sprites. They have one layer of shadow, and no highlight. (The hair sometimes has it, but even that seems to be commonly just two colors)
3. The light in all battle sprites comes from top left, to my experience. Your character has it come from top-front, which deviates from the style. 4. His pose is quite awkward - he seems flyswatted, as his arms are going in two directions without much reason behind them. An option: Extend the left arm, making it look like he is preparing to throw the ball like a pitcher.
However, you need to adjust the rest of his pose as well, as it seems powerless otherwise.
The main point here is to avoid 'mirroring' the pose without reason.


Some doodling since I can't really help with words that good.

[Seiseki]

I attempted an edit


Then I tried changing the palette to match the pokemon sprites.



I attempted to fix the hand, with all finger being equally long.
I toned down his arm muscles, most pokemon trainers are slim like that.
I move the head upwards and added a neck.
Added some seams to the pants and west, which most pokemon trainers seem to have.
Reduced a few colors to make the shading more flat.

Also, I noticed in your front view there highlights on the face are quite detailed, giving it lots of shape.
Yet in the side view the head looks very flat due to the lighting. I think the side view lighting looks much better.

plus it not using the dither/pillow shading that was in most of the pokemon games makes it seem to not fit with the other sprite.

There's neither pillow shading nor dithering in the sprites you linked.

[EddyZ]

Thanks, that will help me a lot.

I like the edit of his clothes very much , but in my opinion his face is too Childlike.
I am trying to create a pokemon-game that is more serious. 

3. The light in all battle sprites comes from top left, to my experience. Your character has it come from top-front, which deviates from the style. 4. His pose is quite awkward - he seems flyswatted, as his arms are going in two directions without much reason behind them. An option: Extend the left arm, making it look like he is preparing to throw the ball like a pitcher.
However, you need to adjust the rest of his pose as well, as it seems powerless otherwise.
The main point here is to avoid 'mirroring' the pose without reason.

Thats a good point! it also will help me.
I will try to correct the pose and some of the colors.