[Feedback][WIP] Help with Character Sprite

[Noouhh]

Hi guys!

So I have been trying to create a top-down Zelda styled character. I drew the character first as I am trying to practice going from the original design to pixel art.

What I am currently working on:


I am somewhat happy with the front view (Although please still leave any feedback for me) but am overall unhappy with the side and back views. What can I do to improve these? I am fairly new to pixel art and any feed back is much appreciated!

Thanks!

Orignal Drawing:

[eishiya]

I think the problem with the side views is the head shape. The ear is too far back, and the character's neck seems to bulge out above their torso. They also seem a bit wall-eyed, too much of their eyes is visible. The hair also seems to end halfway down the head, whereas in the back view it goes down to the neck.

The back view just looks a bit flat because the hair line is horizontal and because there isn't any shading. Try shading the lower third of the head to show its roundness, and perhaps have the head cast a bit of a shadow onto the upper torso.

[Mekeninzo]

I would suggest making the nose a different colour. The current shade of pink is too similar to the hair and it makes the readability confusing for me.

I fixed it up a bit using a skin palette I like to use. Hopefully this helps a bit.

[Noouhh]

I think the problem with the side views is the head shape. The ear is too far back, and the character's neck seems to bulge out above their torso. They also seem a bit wall-eyed, too much of their eyes is visible. The hair also seems to end halfway down the head, whereas in the back view it goes down to the neck.

The back view just looks a bit flat because the hair line is horizontal and because there isn't any shading. Try shading the lower third of the head to show its roundness, and perhaps have the head cast a bit of a shadow onto the upper torso.

Thanks so much for the feedback! I took note of your suggestions and I made a few changes.

[eishiya]

I think overall these are an improvement! However, you've squished the sideview heads so the head seems flattened.

[MysteryMeat]

it might help to use a photo of a skull for reference here. The head's a lot longer than people realize starting out, it's less a sphere and more a weird flat bean shape with the sides shaved down


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wY_PjvYu6FI

keep that visual in mind as you redraw those side profiles

[Noouhh]

Making the head longer was a simple fix but I feel like it made a huge difference!

[dpixel]

Looks much better.  Nice fix!