[C+C] [WIP] help with rpg outdoor spriting

[CelioHogane]

did you try to use the characters with no outlines?

[Decroded]

[CelioHogane]

I think the idea was making that part higher.

[Seiseki]

You should try more contrast between the walls and floor. Right now it's kinda hard to tell the shapes.

A quick and dirty mockup. I tried black outlines around the walls first, but it looked kinda distracting..

[Decroded]

I think the idea was making that part higher.

not sure what u mean but it makes no geometrical sense unless there's a ramp involved which I doubt.
u cant just put stairs up half the height of a platform and expect it to connect.

had to run last night but contrast is the big thing needing addressing as Seiseki pointed out.
The problem is that the reference artwork suffers the same problem which it might be able to get away with on the premise that its supposed to look rushed and crappy (I don't know I don't read it) but definitely needs more depth and stonger use of highlights.
a professional might take it further with large dark sections such as the wall behind the curtains with textured golden features that pop out.

[Kazuya Mochu]

I know people sugested you remove the black outline on the tiles, but I think, considering how yellow everything looks, you could really help distingish what is wall and what is floor by having a black line as a good separation.
just my 2 cents though (if we still use that expression)

[Decroded]

Yeah but it doesn't need to be pure black

[Kazuya Mochu]

No, thats true. The outline could be a darker tone of the wall color or even a bounced light color, if there's any.

[CelioHogane]

not sure what u mean

This:

[Seiseki]

not sure what u mean

This:

You need four steps or it's going to be too short.. As the 16px measurement shows.