Belly dancer - 8 Color Music Challenge

[khorin]

Hello everyone!

Boy, it's been awhile since I posted a pixels for critique (there weren't much to begin with). I recently picked up pixel art again because it's just so cool and I want to do it for sure - for fun!  

What better way than to take part in a challenge - the 8 Color Music challenge to be exact. The theme of this piece is belly dance music. I love it and belly dancing itself. When I'm not walking, I'm belly dancing.  

So, here's a rough draft. The lines in the background need to be cleaned up:



Reference for the pose: Shadow Dance by Matt Abraxas

I'd really like tips on color. That's one of the elements I struggle with in pixel art. However, any insight is very much appreciated!

[khorin]

No crits? Oh well! I'll keep posting updates regardless:



Decided to try a new palette and add simple shading. Not quite sure if I like what I did with the background, though.

[TheOne]

A girl asking for help drawing a belly dancer and no crits! That is strange.

Must've been a good episode of Star Trek on last night.

I think the top one is better. Here is an edit with a smaller body:

[JJ Naas]

I think the top one is better. Here is an edit with a smaller body:

I disagree. The round spotlight on the second pic works very well, helps bring the composition together. Also, the shadow on her back on the second pic is definitely an improvement, although the exact source and dierction of the light is a bit unclear.

[lollige]

I believe the spot light is ok, as long as there stays high contrast between the BG and the curls.

But do watch the girl in TheOnes version, that is a big improvement!

[TheOne]

I think you're right about the spotlight helping composition. However khorin should be careful not to lose the hand gesture in a mess.

[khorin]

Thanks for the comments JJ Naas & llolige.

TheOne - Excellent edits! She looks a lot slimmer. I like the addition of a darker purple along with the original palette. Thanks so much!



I'm not quite sure what to do with the background. I think I should add some dithering but it may make the background too busy. It couldn't hurt to try. I've still get plenty of time.

[Tourist]

This is a nice piece.

I think there is a minor problem that the designs on the right are somewhat disconnected from the dancer on the left.  The designs were a good backdrop in the original but the spotlight/window  kind of breaks them apart.  Not a major problem, but maybe something to brainstorm on.

I think the lighting on the extended arm isn't consistent with the lighting from elsewhere, but you might get away with it.  Showing that this is an arm is more important than perfect lighting.

I did a quick edit.

1) I adjusted the left line of the torso to give her a waist and hips. 

2) I tweaked the hair to give it a little texture.  Not a great edit but I hope it gets the idea across.  I think the hair could something like this.  Maybe you can connect the hair (by style or directly extending it) to the designs on the right?



Hope this helps,
Tourist

[CrazyMLC]

I'm much better at show than tell, so here you go.

I made the spotlight brighter, and changed the hair a bit. Its a little sloppy, but I think you get the idea.

[khorin]

Update! Thanks Tourist & CrazyMLC for the suggestions.

Here's my take:



I loved the fullness of the girls hair in Crazy's edit but took Tourist's advice about incorporating the flourishes from the right side. I also love the addition of the hips. I edited the background a little but I may revert to the original. I do like the flourishes coming from the hand.