[Feedback] Stone statue + moss

[Zanorin]

Hello !

I'm currently trying to learn how to convey different textures in pixel art. So basically I've got this statue here :


I'm not too dissatisfied with the result, but I feel it could be better. Does anyone have suggestions as to how to improve the stone and moss feel ?

[eishiya]

Try giving the moss some texture by putting the shadows at the lower edges instead of in the interior. It would look less realistic, but it'd read more like moss, I think. You could also give it more volume.

What sort of stone is the statue meant to be? "Stone" is a very broad category. For example, marble looks nothing like sandstone. If you can decide on something more specific, you can look up reference more effectively, too.

[questseeker]

I'm not convinced by the highlights; if the light comes from above, slightly to the front, some are too small or completely missing (e.g. top of the head and wings) and the others are very weak. They also conflict with the black outline; if you want the outline, highlights would look better if you moved the light source (lower front and to one side would be a traditional choice).

The wings are also too flat, they are thick slabs with only the silhouette of proper wings. Good if you want your angel to look like an amateurish statue, but a decent sculptor would make curved wings.

[Zanorin]

I tried "thickening" the moss and improving the highlights, is it better ?

@eishiya By stone I meant the opaque grey stone that is used for most of the old statues you can find by googling "stone statue" (I don't seem to have enough internet connection to download the images, sorry)

@questseeker What do you mean by black outline ? I used no black in my picture and I shaded the outline according to my light source (from above, which I'd like to keep that way for this piece) Also not sure of what you mean by curved ^^

[MysteryMeat]

A good start, but I think the moss on the left wing should extend along the top of the wing more.  As is, it just looks like someone dipped it in chunky green paint. Perhaps some grass/floral growth around the base to emphasize the arboreal theme.

[mixiekins]

Hm, I think varying the colors of the outlines, highlights, base, and shadow tones by staggering them if you added one additional color (you'd stagger by offsetting the colors one palette swatch when crossing a shadow boundary). Additionally, the extra color would allow you to make use of said color to add more texture, would work well if it's a very subtle blend of two existing colors. LMK if this doesn't make sense and I'll be happy to draw up an example to illustrate.  Keep up the great work, and hope that helps!

[Zanorin]

@MysteryMeat Is this better ? (I worked on camera-left wing)



@mixiekins Sorry, I don't think I get what you mean, it'd be great if you could show me

[Rydin]

Very gloomy, I like it.

The wing bothers me. It could show more depth. A wing has feathers, yet yours is shaped as a flat piece of stone: https://media.istockphoto.com/photos/bird-wings-isolated-on-white-picture-id539460054?k=6&m=539460054&s=612x612&w=0&h=fYOwTFVoabd5n3Xs-0LjPjxwUrqWd5HDNhz5F8qwliY=

You're sort of using the cloth to obscure any body shape. You don't have to be afraid of showing the body beneath the fabric. In fact, it's very tasteful to do so: https://twistedsifter.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/veiled-marble-sculptures-by-antonio-corradini-10.jpg?w=800&h=699

 

[Zanorin]

I absolutely agree with you on the wings. I actually tried several times to give the wings some volume and texture, but the result was horrible ^^ An edit from anyone would really help me with that part. I included my failed attempt at wing texture below, to show you where I'm stuck.



About the body showing through the fabric, I also agree with you (this example, although a bit creepy, is another masterpiece), but I don't know how I could reveal the body through the clothes at this relatively small resolution 

[Rydin]

Here is a quick messy example:


There's basically different layers of feathers overlapping feathers. You don't have to put each individual feather to capture this either. Just hint at it.