[C+C] A walking cow (8 frames animation)

[washk]

Hey guys. so I have been working for two years now on my game (link in signature if you want to see more) and started pixel art for as long.

So there were some progress made since this but ...

I read a lot about pixel art techniques, read a lot of topics here, and practiced as much as I can. Several times I restrained myself to post feedback, as it was obvious how I could work more and improve. But now I begin to really need this feedback to improve, even tho I know some of the areas I'm struggling with (pixel noise, clean AA). I'm not able anymore to identify all the flaws only by myself. So I will expose my work a bit more. All feedback welcome, you can be harsh, I need critic, I can take it and I want to improve badly. Thanks for your time.

The animated cow is 4 frames, I know I can't have miracles with that. I try do get the best I can have with that for now, as I want to keep control on the number of assets I need to make for my game. If I get somewhere with it, it will always be time to redo them.





A simple question I have, is how to make my sprites less flat. It's "easy" when you follow a tutorial of a 3D ball lightning. I have a hard time with my own sprites.

[DracoDragon42]

To make something have depth, make sure you shade from a light source of some kind, and/or increase the contrast of the colors, making them easier to see.

[washk]

So I had another go at it. Tried to lower the color count. Legs are still bad.

[Glak]

Watch some videos of cows walking.

[washk]

Well I did ... guess I best go back to it then ^^

[washk]

So I had another go at it, I think I can't do better for now. Any comment appreciated, any tips to take it to the "next level" ?



In game context gif http://i.imgur.com/YVrZDgd.gifv (a bit choppy)

[japie81]

The contrast is definitely better. I think the front legs seem to miss a key frame or something, hind legs look a lot more fluid.
I cant give you much advice as I have never tried animal walk cycles before but since I'm planning on making animal mounts for my game this topic might come in handy later. I'm interested to see how this piece will improve 

[washk]

Yeah I think 1 or 2 frames would help. I will wait a bit, if I have a bit more feedback or anyway I will come back to it later. Thanks for your input

[BatElite]

You currently only have half of a walk cycle. The legs jump from one extreme to another.

[washk]

You currently only have half of a walk cycle. The legs jump from one extreme to another.

Yeah I knew it, but once you said that, I couldn't ignore it So that's my final take for now.