Alien night scene

[jefequeso]

Using this as a reference:

http://riskofraingame.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/screenshot163.png

I made this:


I wanted to get some practice effectively using pixel clusters to communicate details with a limited color palette.  I'm still quite new to pixel art (and art in general), and doing things without references is a little difficult still. 

So... feedback?

[cauli]

I was going to say I liked the style, but then I saw your reference, hehe

Well, I would say: You need a reference.

Even in traditional art, it is pretty common to do master copies, that way you can understand some of the subtleties of each artist, and get a little piece of what makes his/her art great. Just like Mega-Man.

But as you get better, try to start avoiding literal translations. That way you can maybe put the image you created into your portfolio.
Look at a real cloud, see if you can translate something that is not pixel art into pixels.

Compared to the reference, I would say you did highlights in the mountains that are far too repetitive (in angle and form) and that the mountains' colors are a bit too contrasty with the background. Maybe it also lacks some understanding of form for proper shading.

The contour of the mountains aren't too pleasing, and this is:
Partially because the lines are jagged (http://www.minddesk.com/wiki/index.php?title=Classic_Pixel-Art_Basics_Tutorial)
Partially because of tangents (it seems like the top of the rightmost mountain is exactly at the corner of the page, for instance)
Partially because the countour looks undecided in one point (first valley from right to left)

But these tips apply to other things in the image that aren't as unpleasing as the mountains, like jagged lines in the clouds.

I hope that helps!

[jefequeso]

I was going to say I liked the style, but then I saw your reference, hehe

Well, I would say: You need a reference.

Even in traditional art, it is pretty common to do master copies, that way you can understand some of the subtleties of each artist, and get a little piece of what makes his/her art great. Just like Mega-Man.

But as you get better, try to start avoiding literal translations. That way you can maybe put the image you created into your portfolio.
Look at a real cloud, see if you can translate something that is not pixel art into pixels.

Compared to the reference, I would say you did highlights in the mountains that are far too repetitive (in angle and form) and that the mountains' colors are a bit too contrasty with the background. Maybe it also lacks some understanding of form for proper shading.

The contour of the mountains aren't too pleasing, and this is:
Partially because the lines are jagged (http://www.minddesk.com/wiki/index.php?title=Classic_Pixel-Art_Basics_Tutorial)
Partially because of tangents (it seems like the top of the rightmost mountain is exactly at the corner of the page, for instance)
Partially because the countour looks undecided in one point (first valley from right to left)

But these tips apply to other things in the image that aren't as unpleasing as the mountains, like jagged lines in the clouds.

I hope that helps!

Is there  good tutorial you can suggest that would help me with shading?  I've read a few, and do struggle with shading a lot.

I'll work on eliminating the jagged edges.  Thanks for your feedback.  Is there any way to get rid of the edges without making the mountains look too "even?"

[cauli]

I think it is more about seeing your 2d drawing as a 3d shape than merely shading, and because of that it is best to let go the mouse and go back to the pencil when studying shading, just for a while.

Take a look at ctrlpaint tutorials.

http://ctrlpaint.com/videos/form-not-shape
http://ctrlpaint.com/videos/constructive-form-pt-1

And proko videos

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3WmrWUEIJo

Maybe someone here has more resources to share!