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NPA but please help (32px sprites)

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=5254
Printed Date: 15 June 2026 at 3:47am


Topic: NPA but please help (32px sprites)
Posted By: mikemayday
Subject: NPA but please help (32px sprites)
Date 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 - 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.



Replies:
Posted By: M.E.
Date 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 donīt 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.




-------------
http://www.kunststukken.nl - KunstStukken.nl M.E. Art


Posted By: surt
Date 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:


Posted By: mikemayday
Date 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 :/


Posted By: M.E.
Date 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.



-------------
http://www.kunststukken.nl - KunstStukken.nl M.E. Art



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