Help with char design for beatemup

[yeo]

Hello.

I'm working on beatemup game and i have backgrounds like this:


and chars like this:


I'm not happy with chars, especially heads (mouth poorly readable, maybe need shadows on face and so on).

Could you guys give me some tips how i can improve character's design overall and to compliment background better.

Thanks.

[PartyFish]

I would like to say that your background looks absolutley amazing, it looks very pure and beautiful!

There's just one thing that kinda bugs me with the background and that is the shadow of the trees on the walls infront of them. The shadows of the other objects streches away from the camera as does the shadows from the trees to the houses, but the shadows from the trees to the walls looks like its coming kinda towads the camera. To me, those shadows look a bit unatural. Other than that I think it's amazing piece of art 

[Mathias]

I WORRY ABOUT YOUR BGS' CONTRAST FIGHTING IMPORTANT FG ELEMENTS FOR FOCUS CONSIDER A LESS NOISY RENDERING STYLE EMPLOYING PIXEL CLUSTURAL FORM EXPRESSION INSTEAD IT IS A NICE PALETTE I RECOMMEND POSING THE CHARACTERS ACTUALLY IN THE BG ARTWORK SO A TRUER APPRAISAL CAN BE REACHED BY YOUR VIEWERS YES

[yeo]

Thanks, guys, but i need help with the character not the background.

[Rosier]

I'd recommending either axing or enhancing the small features, like removing the mouth or making it bigger and more expressive.  The hair, for example, doesn't really need all those colors in it because they wouldn't pass at a small scale.  Make it bigger and bouncier, or scratch the complications. 

Otherwise, I'd recommend changing the design a bit to add more color.  Everything save the head is white, and making stuff like the arms for example a different color would help a viewer understand when it would move better.

[MysteryMeat]

I actually thought it was a nose. Don't worry too much about fitting mouths in there, you primarily want to focus on body language when working in these limitations. For example, right now his body languages in order read as "Ugh, school is for losers, you lamehole" and the second reads "I'm gonna kick your ass, methodically"

Gives me a very notable River City Ransom vibe, which is something good for a beatemup.

[yeo]

Gives me a very notable River City Ransom vibe, which is something good for a beatemup.

You're exactly right. So i have one body and many different heads and so i need readable faces. And that's why "I actually thought it was a nose" is a problem here )

[MysteryMeat]

Square the jaw out some then, it'll change the design slightly but it should work to better define it

[PixelPiledriver]

This ain't quite right, so keep pushing.
You need to explore some variations.

[yeo]

PixelPiledriver, thank you! It's much better now.