Sorry for all the questions, but I need a bit of advice on the makings of a back sprite. Am I limited to the color pallette I used on the front sprite, or is there some leeway on extra colors for back sprite shading? By the way, this back sprite of mine currently sucks, so don't expect to see it for a while.
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CAP 4 CAP 4 - Sprite Submissions
- Thread starter Sunday
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You use the same colors.
And take your time on the backsprite, there are still plenty of discussions and polls before the sprite poll. It's hard enough to do without rushing it, let alone doing it in a few hours.
And take your time on the backsprite, there are still plenty of discussions and polls before the sprite poll. It's hard enough to do without rushing it, let alone doing it in a few hours.
I dont how to describe it, but some of sprites lacks the pokemonish apect. Just like in Pyroak spriting poll. Im not an artist, so its only a comment. Icebug, your sprites looks 2D, it lacks the pokemonish aspect. I know its a 2D game, but look at DJD, Wiverii or Flygon sprite. They are both 2D and 3D, somehow. I dont know if thats the secret, or if the correct shading is, or anything else. WWhen i see your and many others sprites i cant say: "Pokemon" I say: "Good Draw". In the other extreme is CyzirVeeshin. dont know why, but your sprite is TOO 3D, TOO realistic, lost the draw aspect. Both are VERY COOL DRAWS, but, in my opinion, none looks pokemonish.
So far, only DJD, Wiverii, Flygon and maybe EM is good. Very Good.
So far, only DJD, Wiverii, Flygon and maybe EM is good. Very Good.
So what would bump my sprite up from a "maybe good" to a "definitely good" or "outstanding"?
Sprite critique time!
Atyroki - The main "problem" that I have with your sprite is the head, which is way too small. Proportional to the original drawing, it's correct, but the whole sprite looks... shrunk? Also, I'd like to see a little more color variation in the shiny sprite. The back sprites look really good, though; the shiny color difference is a lot more noticeable.
Flygon493 - A minor nitpick I have is that the front two legs sticking into the ground seem thicker than all the other limbs. Also, I really dislike the head in general. it seems a little bloated, and generally too big. It's also really hard to see the half-smile on it's face, which adds to the "weird" feeling. I do like your backsprite though; the neon-green color is a tad bright, but that's just my opinion.
Wyverii - I really, really like your front sprite. I can't really see anything that I would change; it's definitely one of my favorites. Your back sprite's hand, however, looks... awkward. It would be a little odd for the creature to be holding it's hand like that, I think. Also, there's a small discrepancy between your front and back sprites: the front sprite's hands have "straight" fingers, while the back sprite hands have fingers in a "fan" shape.
Elevator Music - Another one of my current favorite sprites. The front sprite looks near perfect; I really like the poison sludge as an added touch. The back sprite's "arm band" looks a tad frail, though, as the balls of the ball-and-socket joints are showing (which would make for an incredibly weak joint with limbs easily popped out of socket). Also, I can only see 6 arms fitting on the band...
Nasty Pass - To be honest, I don't like your sprites at all. Your first set's hands lack proper perspective and proportion, and the shiny's colors are an eyesore in my opinion. Your second set's head is waaaaay too big, as you said yourself. The hands also look very small, and lack perspective\proportion (the size of the hands in the front is very similar to the size of the hands in the back).
I'm refraining from commenting on the recoloration, as it doesn't look like it'll be allowed anyway.
Raverist - I think your sprite has potential, but the bug-eyes have got to go. I picture this think smirking and throwing sludge in your face, not gaping with huge eyes. I'd be able to give a better opinion it you went ahead and colored it ;)
Zantimonius - I really like the pose. The purple eyes seem a tad strange, though. Not much else to say really... overall, one of the better sprites.
Lawman - The first thing I though when I saw that sprite was "It's fat" :P The arms are a little thick compared to the hands, which could stand to be bigger. I'm not sure I like the way the body's tilted, either, it seems a little too spider-like.
DougJustDoug - I really like your sprite's hands, which are easily the best ones submitted. However, your sprite's head really kills it for me. It just doesn't look... right. I'm not sure what exactly I don't like... I think it's a combination of the eye color, eye shape, and the ears. I really like your shiny colors though, I've always been a sucker for black shinies ;)
Dragonzrule - Seems decent, color please.
the_artic_one - I think your sprite has potential. The eyes, however, have got to go (see my comment's on Raverist's sprite). Also, it needs shading.
legacy_raider - I'm torn on your sprite. On one hand, I like the pose, and I definitely like the sludge ball. On the other hand, the whole thing looks a little spindly, as the body is too big in proportion to the legs and arms. I definitely think that it has potential, though.
CyzirVisheen - Your sprite is another one of my favorites. If I had to nitpick, I'd say that your drill is a little small. Other than that, it's easily one of the best sprites submitted.
IceBug - Your sprite looks... cartoony, and not in a good way. I do like your pose though. I strongly suggest taking a close look at some of the other sprite submissions for examples of how to color.
Oh, and one last nitpick. The following people's sprites do not have transparency: Nasty Pass, Raverist, Lawman, Dragonzrule, the_artic_one, legacy_raider, and IceBug.
Atyroki - The main "problem" that I have with your sprite is the head, which is way too small. Proportional to the original drawing, it's correct, but the whole sprite looks... shrunk? Also, I'd like to see a little more color variation in the shiny sprite. The back sprites look really good, though; the shiny color difference is a lot more noticeable.
Flygon493 - A minor nitpick I have is that the front two legs sticking into the ground seem thicker than all the other limbs. Also, I really dislike the head in general. it seems a little bloated, and generally too big. It's also really hard to see the half-smile on it's face, which adds to the "weird" feeling. I do like your backsprite though; the neon-green color is a tad bright, but that's just my opinion.
Wyverii - I really, really like your front sprite. I can't really see anything that I would change; it's definitely one of my favorites. Your back sprite's hand, however, looks... awkward. It would be a little odd for the creature to be holding it's hand like that, I think. Also, there's a small discrepancy between your front and back sprites: the front sprite's hands have "straight" fingers, while the back sprite hands have fingers in a "fan" shape.
Elevator Music - Another one of my current favorite sprites. The front sprite looks near perfect; I really like the poison sludge as an added touch. The back sprite's "arm band" looks a tad frail, though, as the balls of the ball-and-socket joints are showing (which would make for an incredibly weak joint with limbs easily popped out of socket). Also, I can only see 6 arms fitting on the band...
Nasty Pass - To be honest, I don't like your sprites at all. Your first set's hands lack proper perspective and proportion, and the shiny's colors are an eyesore in my opinion. Your second set's head is waaaaay too big, as you said yourself. The hands also look very small, and lack perspective\proportion (the size of the hands in the front is very similar to the size of the hands in the back).
I'm refraining from commenting on the recoloration, as it doesn't look like it'll be allowed anyway.
Raverist - I think your sprite has potential, but the bug-eyes have got to go. I picture this think smirking and throwing sludge in your face, not gaping with huge eyes. I'd be able to give a better opinion it you went ahead and colored it ;)
Zantimonius - I really like the pose. The purple eyes seem a tad strange, though. Not much else to say really... overall, one of the better sprites.
Lawman - The first thing I though when I saw that sprite was "It's fat" :P The arms are a little thick compared to the hands, which could stand to be bigger. I'm not sure I like the way the body's tilted, either, it seems a little too spider-like.
DougJustDoug - I really like your sprite's hands, which are easily the best ones submitted. However, your sprite's head really kills it for me. It just doesn't look... right. I'm not sure what exactly I don't like... I think it's a combination of the eye color, eye shape, and the ears. I really like your shiny colors though, I've always been a sucker for black shinies ;)
Dragonzrule - Seems decent, color please.
the_artic_one - I think your sprite has potential. The eyes, however, have got to go (see my comment's on Raverist's sprite). Also, it needs shading.
legacy_raider - I'm torn on your sprite. On one hand, I like the pose, and I definitely like the sludge ball. On the other hand, the whole thing looks a little spindly, as the body is too big in proportion to the legs and arms. I definitely think that it has potential, though.
CyzirVisheen - Your sprite is another one of my favorites. If I had to nitpick, I'd say that your drill is a little small. Other than that, it's easily one of the best sprites submitted.
IceBug - Your sprite looks... cartoony, and not in a good way. I do like your pose though. I strongly suggest taking a close look at some of the other sprite submissions for examples of how to color.
Oh, and one last nitpick. The following people's sprites do not have transparency: Nasty Pass, Raverist, Lawman, Dragonzrule, the_artic_one, legacy_raider, and IceBug.
Uhh, following up on your commentary (thank you for doing it, I love critiques), only 6 arms are showing on the back because the other two kinda go more on the front. Though I didn't show them because it made the bottom area even more cluttered.
Which ball and socket joints are you referring to? The ones where it is connected to the body, or the elbow?
Which ball and socket joints are you referring to? The ones where it is connected to the body, or the elbow?
Yeah, I don't really like mine either tbh, I'm redoing it again soon.
also
@ not allowing EM/NP combo
I've heard many people criticize the face of my sprite, and no one has really said they liked it. To be honest, I've never been crazy about it myself. Here's a new version of my sprite with a completely new face and head.
I decided to go back to the drawing board on the head. Actually, I went back to Cartoons' design. His design has totally emotionless eyes. In my old sprite, I decided to stylize his design and make it a full face, complete with very expressive eyes. In retrospect, that was a mistake. I also made the old head too big. The new version is very close to Cartoons original design, and is sized more appropriately.
Just for comparison purposes, here's the old sprite and a cutout from Cartoons original design (easier than scrolling up...)
....
Please let me know if you think the new face looks better than the old one. Now that I've done it, I really like it. So, unless I hear a strong outpouring of support for the old face (I doubt it), I'm inclined to stick with the new one.
BTW, darkie and tennis, I fixed the "dislocated" finger that seems to keep creeping back into the sprite. Maybe this thing should get Klutz after all....
I decided to go back to the drawing board on the head. Actually, I went back to Cartoons' design. His design has totally emotionless eyes. In my old sprite, I decided to stylize his design and make it a full face, complete with very expressive eyes. In retrospect, that was a mistake. I also made the old head too big. The new version is very close to Cartoons original design, and is sized more appropriately.
Just for comparison purposes, here's the old sprite and a cutout from Cartoons original design (easier than scrolling up...)
Please let me know if you think the new face looks better than the old one. Now that I've done it, I really like it. So, unless I hear a strong outpouring of support for the old face (I doubt it), I'm inclined to stick with the new one.
BTW, darkie and tennis, I fixed the "dislocated" finger that seems to keep creeping back into the sprite. Maybe this thing should get Klutz after all....
Wow, Doug, that looks REALLY different. It's a bit of a shock that may need some adjusting but I think I like it better than the old head.
You might want to make it a touch bigger though, it gives off the impression that it's getting strangled by the collar thing. :/
I think you might also want to desaturate it just a tad. It looks REAAAALLY bold amongst all the dullness of the arms and such.
Also, I know I nitpicked you about this before and I know you tried to fix it, but I think you may have misunderstood me, resulting in some of it being missed. This is regarding the top-left hand ( its right ) again. When you look at the top of your palm where your pointer finger connects to your palm, while putting your hand in that position, your finger makes a "bump"
like this:
But what you did was more like this:
( the pictures are kind of sucky but you get the idea )
Sorry if I seem really patronizing with the pictoral examples, but I really don't mean to be. It's hard to talk about hands, as complex as I'm sure you know they are, with mere words. I thought pictures would make much clearer examples.
Despite those small things though, you've made a LOT of progress. I was originally all for Wyverii but now with this latest rendition you've made me have to seriously consider who I'll vote for in the upcoming polls. I think I'll need a kajillion of them before I can make up my mind now!
You might want to make it a touch bigger though, it gives off the impression that it's getting strangled by the collar thing. :/
I think you might also want to desaturate it just a tad. It looks REAAAALLY bold amongst all the dullness of the arms and such.
Also, I know I nitpicked you about this before and I know you tried to fix it, but I think you may have misunderstood me, resulting in some of it being missed. This is regarding the top-left hand ( its right ) again. When you look at the top of your palm where your pointer finger connects to your palm, while putting your hand in that position, your finger makes a "bump"
like this:
But what you did was more like this:
( the pictures are kind of sucky but you get the idea )
Sorry if I seem really patronizing with the pictoral examples, but I really don't mean to be. It's hard to talk about hands, as complex as I'm sure you know they are, with mere words. I thought pictures would make much clearer examples.
Despite those small things though, you've made a LOT of progress. I was originally all for Wyverii but now with this latest rendition you've made me have to seriously consider who I'll vote for in the upcoming polls. I think I'll need a kajillion of them before I can make up my mind now!
Oh wow, that's awesome. Those vacant-looking eyes... They're staring into my soul...
It's much better than my monstrosity.
I've heard many people criticize the face of my sprite, and no one has really said they liked it. To be honest, I've never been crazy about it myself. Here's a new version of my sprite with a completely new face and head.
Oh man, so much better! I know who I'm voting for.
I've heard many people criticize the face of my sprite, and no one has really said they liked it. To be honest, I've never been crazy about it myself. Here's a new version of my sprite with a completely new face and head.
WOW. Such a great change. Now, in my opinion, it is a contender along with Wiiveri's and Elevator Music's. I didn't say anything about it before because I didn't like it but at the same time I couldn't identify why, and of course a critique without giving some kind of advice is stupid. But now, everything comes together perfectly.
Well, now that I think of it, I'd prefer more vivid colors, but just that.
Congrats Doug on becoming, IMO, the third contender behind Elevator Music and Wyverii.
Doug, that's awesome! That alone really lost all the Gen I vibes it was giving off.I've heard many people criticize the face of my sprite, and no one has really said they liked it. To be honest, I've never been crazy about it myself. Here's a new version of my sprite with a completely new face and head.
I decided to go back to the drawing board on the head. Actually, I went back to Cartoons' design. His design has totally emotionless eyes. In my old sprite, I decided to stylize his design and make it a full face, complete with very expressive eyes. In retrospect, that was a mistake. I also made the old head too big. The new version is very close to Cartoons original design, and is sized more appropriately.
Please let me know if you think the new face looks better than the old one. Now that I've done it, I really like it. So, unless I hear a strong outpouring of support for the old face (I doubt it), I'm inclined to stick with the new one.
The eyessssss.... That looks a lot more like the original. Great job!
It still looks a wee bit off due to the shading, but its not. Trick of the screen.
The eyes are much closer to the original, but I'm not sure it should have such a robotic piercing stare. I've experimented with darkening a couple of eye pixels to soften the stare a little bit. Do you think this is better or worse? Here's the two side-by-side:
I also tweaked the drill to better fit the forward lean of the body. I may use the longer drill for a male/female difference. I'm not sure. I'm not going to mess with ear/horn length this time. I was considering differing the spike length between the male and female versions. I want the male/female differences to be very subtle.
@X-Presumptuous - Thanks for the pictures. Now I know what you were talking about originally. You are referring the the ridge formed in the hand due to the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints and tissues of the fingers (at least I THINK that's the anatomical reason, I'm not sure). Because that line of the sprite is vertical, it's very difficult to alter the outline to make the "bump" you illustrated. However, I might be able to indicate the ridge by putting a few more pixels of shading in the upper palm. I tried it on the second sprite shown above. Tell me if you think that helps or not.
Okay, response time:
EM: Thank you for answering my question, as well as your advice. I was under the assumption the back spriting would be the quicker portion, not realising that with a back sprite the shapes have to be flawless to look good...great sprite BTW.
Pombo: That's actually been something that's been bothering me. I does look too flat, but hopefully today I can get the colors and some more sprite definition done to make it pop a bit.
Lusantian: First off, thanks for the full critque. I think it would be interesting to see what others who aren't spriting think of all of the works presented, as you have done. Second, I'll be trying to recolor again today, probably going to darken the sprite up in some areas and get some more colors involved (currently I have about 10...). Finally, my backround transparency problem is due to the lack of the option on Paint. If anyone knows how/where I can fix this, please fill me in.
Thanks to all who commented, I'll bring up v.3 today.
EM: Thank you for answering my question, as well as your advice. I was under the assumption the back spriting would be the quicker portion, not realising that with a back sprite the shapes have to be flawless to look good...great sprite BTW.
Pombo: That's actually been something that's been bothering me. I does look too flat, but hopefully today I can get the colors and some more sprite definition done to make it pop a bit.
Lusantian: First off, thanks for the full critque. I think it would be interesting to see what others who aren't spriting think of all of the works presented, as you have done. Second, I'll be trying to recolor again today, probably going to darken the sprite up in some areas and get some more colors involved (currently I have about 10...). Finally, my backround transparency problem is due to the lack of the option on Paint. If anyone knows how/where I can fix this, please fill me in.
Thanks to all who commented, I'll bring up v.3 today.
Not the elbows, they look fine. I was referring to the point where the limbs connect to the band (on the backsprite).
Wow, that looks so much better. As for the stare, I think I like the round eyes better. I actually can't tell much difference at all, so I wouldn't really care which one is decided on.
OMG DOUG I LOVE YOUR SPRITE NOW!
I've had a problem with the face from the beginning if you noticed.
Now I love your sprite.
Yours, Wyverii's and Elevator Music's are probably my favorites.
I've had a problem with the face from the beginning if you noticed.
Now I love your sprite.
Yours, Wyverii's and Elevator Music's are probably my favorites.
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