AuthorTopic: [WIP] New to Pixel Art (Read 8191 times)

cpaw88 · **on:** October 19, 2006, 01:13:13 am

NEW (Oct 19, 2006 12:39am)

Reference Picture Used: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:PantherTankColor.jpg

NEW TANK (Oct 19, 2006 7:12am)

NEW TANK (Oct 19, 2006 7:08pm)

NEW Alien RPG Sprite (Oct 20, 2006 11:11pm)

NEW Alien RPG Sprite (Oct 21, 2006 1:51am)

NEW Alien RPG Sprite (Oct 21, 2006 2:16am)

I'm brand new to pixel art however I got into it so I could make Hobie Games since I spent years learning to program games. I have done a ton of tutorials on basic drawing and I've learned to use Real Images to make my art. I have worked pretty hard to make this first piece of pixel art, however I'm not done yet. I have a lot to learn and add as well, right now I'm making a Panzer V (Panther) German tank for a small 2D game.

I really need help on how to improve my art and how I can make the colors not look so dull. Please post helpful info for me and critic what I have done so far. I already no this is not a master piece or even close, however it's only my first pixel art project.

(NOTE: I'm no longer working on the above pixel arts, I have moved onto another project, thanks!)

rabidbaboy · **Reply #1 on:** October 19, 2006, 04:32:27 am

Next step: SHADING!
You can't just slap patterns on a lineart and then declare it done, you still have to shade it.

cpaw88 · **Reply #2 on:** October 19, 2006, 05:46:20 am

Thanks for the input, however I didn't state it as done.

"I have worked pretty hard to make this first piece of pixel art, however I'm not done yet."

cpaw88 · **Reply #3 on:** October 19, 2006, 06:41:35 am

Alright, I added some lighting and I don't think I went and overkilled the effect, now I need to make the wheels a bit shaded. How does the tank look so far? I will be making the tank barrel longer and smaller as well.

My only problem is I'm not sure on what colors to use for lighting so I have a feeling I used not so great ones because it doesn't appear to match fully with the tank.

MrNormS · **Reply #4 on:** October 19, 2006, 07:50:29 am

Your tank looks mad disproportionate too the real thing. These may have been intended... but you've also missed a few important things that make the Panther Tank a Panther tank. Check your reference pictures and have a look at the shape of the barrel and the shape of the base of the barrel. These things are mere tributes to my O.C.D. but also the pivoting part (I'm no tank expert) is also huge! I would like to add that this piece has no perspective so colouring what is basically a flat surface with lighting and such is a silly thing to be doing, especially as you start to dabble in pixel art. I suggest trying something with a little more 3D-ness (aka depth) and form. Good luck!

cpaw88 · **Reply #5 on:** October 19, 2006, 08:31:28 am

Thank you for you reply, there indeed is a light source at the Top Left for this game, however I'm not going for 100% of the look of the Panzer V, but to make a Tank and learn Pixel Art while trying to improve the overall look not including if it looks like a Panther or not.

cpaw88 · **Reply #6 on:** October 19, 2006, 01:15:20 pm

Now I just finished this little tank! I got help for ideas from a guy on another forum so heres my brand new tank!

It's only Grey and Black for now untell Im done with the full tank then I'll add colors!

I'm officially scrapping my Panzer V idea.

cpaw88 · **Reply #7 on:** October 20, 2006, 01:10:17 am

I just redid the whole tank and this is what I got so far!

I don't fully no how to make it look more angled with colors since I'm still new to Pixel Art, however I hope this is a start.

cpaw88 · **Reply #8 on:** October 20, 2006, 09:16:00 pm

Does anyone have any input or help they can give? It apears people don't really C&C unless the artist isn't new, I find that a bit unfair and its lacking with this community.

I remember coming here a while back and people were a lot more helpful.

Thanks to anyone willing to help me improve.

Cow · **Reply #9 on:** October 20, 2006, 09:20:40 pm

There's pretty much no AAing. I wouldn't dither it, either, tanks are usually steel or aluminum [so Wikipedia says], and you tend not to dither metals. Colors are boring because, well, they aren't colors. Try using a few, they're pretty neat.

cpaw88 · **Reply #10 on:** October 20, 2006, 10:04:37 pm

Ok, thank you. What should I dither in Pixel art and not dither? I know dithering is used also to make another color or an illusion of one anyhow, but I'm not sure when you should and shouldn't dither.

Tremulant · **Reply #11 on:** October 20, 2006, 10:29:21 pm

The thing to keep in mind about dithering is that is tends to create the illusion of a rough texture, and when pixelling things like metal and skin and other, similarly smooth surfaces, it generally something to avoid. That said, I think the dithering works quite well here for a few reasons. First, the contrast between shades isn't super harsh here, and as such, the image retains a pretty smooth, soft look. Second, I'm no tank expert, butfrom what I've seen they aren't generally made of super-slick, shiny, smooth metals; their surfaces usually appear rather matte, flat. Lastly, this is just personal oppinion, but... I mean, tanks'd take quite a beating in the field, don't they? Honestly, I don't they should have that "super shiny clean and new" look, anyway...

Apologies for rambling. I'm not thinking so great atm.

I think the new one is a pretty vast improvement over the previous, which was better than the first, so... good pattern there. Keep it up.

cpaw88 · **Reply #12 on:** October 20, 2006, 11:33:39 pm

Thanks for the tips it will greatly improve my work!

cpaw88 · **Reply #13 on:** October 21, 2006, 05:10:05 am

I tried doing a Alien RPG type sprite and this is what I came up with. I hope its not that bad for a first, any tips on making this better?

VictorR · **Reply #14 on:** October 21, 2006, 06:28:15 am

K, I cleaned up your pallete a bit. You used to many un-necessary colors that you cant really see. I made a light source from the top and that was pretty much it. Hope you learn something from this.

cpaw88 · **Reply #15 on:** October 21, 2006, 07:24:12 am

Thanks, it helped me a lot.

EDIT:

My New Alien!

EDIT 2:

Alright, I tried my best to get rid of some un-needed colors to my last version of my Alien and this is the new picture.

I hope I'm improving here.

Souly · **Reply #16 on:** October 21, 2006, 08:19:52 am

You probably saw this back at PJ.
Oh wells.

Just thought I'd show you what you can do with LESS colors.

cpaw88 · **Reply #17 on:** October 21, 2006, 08:21:53 am

Yep, I saw it at PJ!

Thanks again, I added a new version above your post on here and added a new post on PJ.

VictorR · **Reply #18 on:** October 21, 2006, 07:05:51 pm

You are improving, I see you added a nice light source. But your missing contrast, on paint move your color selections ot the top/middle to make small pixel art look nice.

cpaw88 · **Reply #19 on:** October 22, 2006, 05:07:00 am

Thanks, I'll work on that.

(NOTE: I'm no longer working on the above pixel arts, I have moved onto another project, thanks!)

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AuthorTopic: [WIP] New to Pixel Art (Read 8191 times)