Pixel Joint Forum: NPA but please help (32px sprites)

Message

   Hello. 
I'm working on a tileset for the game Dwarf Fortress (http://www.bay12games.com/dwarves/index.html).
Since I've never done any pixel art, I've decided not to constrain myself to a colour palette (even though I do see the beauty of that solution). Not to mention there are tons of sprites to be made.

Anyway, here's what I've got so far:

I'm having trouble receiving valuable crits on a regular art forum, so I was wondering if maybe you guys could share some specific tips with how I could use the 32x32px space more effectively (and maybe some colour tips too).

If it's absolutely off limits here, please accept my apologies.

Edited by mikemayday - 26 October 2007 at 5:02am

Author	Message
mikemayday Midshipman Joined: 05 October 2024 Online Status: Offline Posts: 51	Topic: NPA but please help (32px sprites) Posted: 26 October 2007 at 5:00am
	Hello. I'm working on a tileset for the game Dwarf Fortress (http://www.bay12games.com/dwarves/index.html). Since I've never done any pixel art, I've decided not to constrain myself to a colour palette (even though I do see the beauty of that solution). Not to mention there are tons of sprites to be made. Anyway, here's what I've got so far: I'm having trouble receiving valuable crits on a regular art forum, so I was wondering if maybe you guys could share some specific tips with how I could use the 32x32px space more effectively (and maybe some colour tips too). If it's absolutely off limits here, please accept my apologies. Edited by mikemayday - 26 October 2007 at 5:02am
	IP Logged

M.E. Commander Joined: 26 February 2007 Online Status: Offline Posts: 430	Posted: 26 October 2007 at 5:44am
	Hi Mikemayday, Welcome to PJ. WOW that is a big difference from the screenshots that I found using your link! I like these. I like them all. Indeed they are NPA but I kind of like what is going on. And to be honest it would not take you too much time to clean up to become true PA. Most of the lineart is good! There are however some things that can make them even more uniform. For instance the dog with his head down has fully shaded back legs, while the cats have none. There are different contrast levels. I think you should try to match the contrast of the elephants. It gives the figures more depth. Especially the faces can be pronounced with some darkish thing here and there. I don´t understand the dollar signed people..... Where are those lovely (bearded) female dwarfs? That baby is awesome! Looking forward of actually playing this! Best regards from M.E.
	KunstStukken.nl M.E. Art
	IP Logged

surt Commander Joined: 30 December 2015 Online Status: Offline Posts: 413	Posted: 26 October 2007 at 2:12pm
	These are great little sprites. Generally the NPA level isn't too high. Only the animals look grossly soft-bushed. I don't think you'll get chased with torches and pitchforks. I've got to agree with everything me says, and add: Lighting: Lighting is inconsistent. Dwarves are all lit from the way they're facing (and that varies), animals from in front of the screen. If you are going the horizontally flip the sprites to face the direction they're moving, I'd suggest lighting them pretty-much directly from above, so there is no horizontal inconsistency. Heads: All the dwarves' heads look unnaturally octagonal. This may well be a design decision, and if so fair enough, but otherwise I'd suggest rounding them off some. To repeat me, push them that little bit further to make them PA proper. EDIT: Here's a quick PA edit: Edited by surt - 26 October 2007 at 4:39pm
	IP Logged

mikemayday Midshipman Joined: 05 October 2024 Online Status: Offline Posts: 51	Posted: 27 October 2007 at 2:58am
	Whoa. That looks so much better. And it's just 12 colours o_O Ok, so if I'm about to PA it, that still means a separate palette for every sprite, I just have to remember to keep the contrast similar, right? Damn, I don't know how I'm gonna stop myself from just using your solution :/
	IP Logged

M.E. Commander Joined: 26 February 2007 Online Status: Offline Posts: 430	Posted: 27 October 2007 at 3:23am
	Hi Mikemayday, Indeed surt made a beautifull edit. And almost exactly how I would see them in true PA. You don't need a separate palette for every sprite. The ones next to the original edited piece are having the same palette. Of course it will take you a bit of time during the first sprites. After that you will notice that it will go much faster. This will be good! Best regards from M.E.
	KunstStukken.nl M.E. Art
	IP Logged

WIP (Work In Progress)
Pixel Joint Forum : Pixel Art : WIP (Work In Progress)