Newbie here: Critique my Draw, helpme to improve !
Printed From: Pixel Joint
Category: Pixel Art
Forum Name: WIP (Work In Progress)
Forum Discription: Get crits and comments on your pixel WIPs and other art too!
URL: https://pixeljoint.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=26716
Printed Date: 11 September 2025 at 8:44am
Topic: Newbie here: Critique my Draw, helpme to improve !
Posted By: Sociopath
Subject: Newbie here: Critique my Draw, helpme to improve !
Date Posted: 15 September 2019 at 2:09pm
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Hi, I'm starting to draw pixel art and i'm a bit newbie, trying to
improbe, would be great if you guys can give me some advice about
colors, forms about my draw, its supposed to be gray fox from metal gear 
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Replies:
Posted By: StoneStephenT
Date Posted: 15 September 2019 at 7:28pm
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The legs have a readability issue because of the way they’re shaded—that is, the left leg (right leg from the viewer’s perspective) looks as if it is completely behind the other. In a standing pose such as the one in your pic, even the leg furthest away from the light source will still have some light reflected onto it. The left arm (right arm from viewer’s perspective) has the same issue. I'd also suggest thinking about where exactly the light source is in relation to the character. If it's coming from the upper-left of the image, more of the front of his body (including his left arm and leg) should have highlights to express that. Beyond that, the only change I can think of that would improve the piece is to match the mask's look on both sides. As it is, the mask looks curved on the right side of the piece, but not on the left side. (The straight line all the way down that side to the bottom of the mask creates that look.) See if you can find a way to make both sides match, possibly by changing the shading on the left side. The overall design of the sprite is good, though. I like the colors and the pose as they are. Make those few tweaks I mentioned and it’ll look even better.
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Posted By: Sociopath
Date Posted: 16 September 2019 at 11:27am
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Originally posted by StoneStephenT The legs have a readability issue because of the way they’re shaded—that is, the left leg (right leg from the viewer’s perspective) looks as if it is completely behind the other. In a standing pose such as the one in your pic, even the leg furthest away from the light source will still have some light reflected onto it. The left arm (right arm from viewer’s perspective) has the same issue. I'd also suggest thinking about where exactly the light source is in relation to the character. If it's coming from the upper-left of the image, more of the front of his body (including his left arm and leg) should have highlights to express that. Beyond that, the only change I can think of that would improve the piece is to match the mask's look on both sides. As it is, the mask looks curved on the right side of the piece, but not on the left side. (The straight line all the way down that side to the bottom of the mask creates that look.) See if you can find a way to make both sides match, possibly by changing the shading on the left side. The overall design of the sprite is good, though. I like the colors and the pose as they are. Make those few tweaks I mentioned and it’ll look even better. Thanks for the detailed feedback I apreciate it. I have been looking some human forms with a similar light and I tryed to reproduce it, also changed bit the foot and the mask  |
Posted By: StoneStephenT
Date Posted: 16 September 2019 at 3:01pm
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The leg and arm no longer have the readability issue I mentioned, the mask looks consistent all around, and the shading is much more consistent all around. Excellent work with those changes!
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Posted By: Sociopath
Date Posted: 29 September 2019 at 3:07pm
I'm working on another sprite, it is supposed to be a beholder, my main problem here is the color choice for lighting colors (using DB32 palette), and what about the draw? any imporvements? thanks |
Posted By: dhaimadoshi
Date Posted: 29 September 2019 at 8:22pm
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heres my two cents :
you should be careful with the silhouette and tangeants. Here you two tentacles touch each other my the tip making it hard to read what they are, two tentacles close to each other? Two connected cables ? if you color your entire sprite in black, can you still make out what it is ? |
Posted By: Sociopath
Date Posted: 30 September 2019 at 1:36am
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Originally posted by dhaimadoshi heres my two cents : you should be careful with the silhouette and tangeants. Here you two tentacles touch each other my the tip making it hard to read what they are, two tentacles close to each other? Two connected cables ? if you color your entire sprite in black, can you still make out what it is ? Thank you for your feedback you were right, overvall I placed more space and also did the shape better, don't know if it's better but looks ok to me.  |
Posted By: dhaimadoshi
Date Posted: 30 September 2019 at 3:33am
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Its better.
Now its quite dark and could use more bright colors ^^ if youre interested theres a very good book available here https://gumroad.com/l/pixel-logic |
Posted By: Sociopath
Date Posted: 30 September 2019 at 4:48am
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Thanks! I just changed a bit the colors and added some brightness, but not to much my goal is that it feels like its a darken creature with less saturated colors  |
Posted By: dhaimadoshi
Date Posted: 30 September 2019 at 7:38am
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The blueish shadow is a nice addition, but the brightness is WAY too strong compared to the color
Let me quickly edit to show you what I had in mind when I say more bright colors. Also, keep in mind the position of your light when you do shading, dont apply the light randomly. 
hope it helps |
Posted By: Sociopath
Date Posted: 30 September 2019 at 8:34am
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Originally posted by dhaimadoshi
The blueish shadow is a nice addition, but the brightness is WAY too strong compared to the color Let me quickly edit to show you what I had in mind when I say more bright colors. Also, keep in mind the position of your light when you do shading, dont apply the light randomly.
hope it helps Wow amazing coloring, its impresive how a sprite can change so much with a good control of shadows and lights, I apreciate so much your tips, thanks again will keep improving |
Posted By: Sociopath
Date Posted: 02 October 2019 at 11:22am
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Here I'm again, trying to practice with shadow, lights and shapes, drawed a simple mutant worm with fatty shape, any tips on how to improve this one?  |
Posted By: Sociopath
Date Posted: 08 October 2019 at 3:53pm
I drawed a soldier but I dont like to much the colors using DB32 palette, any tips on how to improve colors on this draw? |
Posted By: Iscalio
Date Posted: 09 October 2019 at 9:35pm
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Maybe try drawing some life drawing for anatomy or draw animal anatomy? it will help in the long run. And you can make creatures from blending these anatomies. |