First WIP (sword)
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=9139
Printed Date: 19 December 2025 at 11:21am
Topic: First WIP (sword)
Posted By: Kephix
Subject: First WIP (sword)
Date Posted: 20 September 2009 at 1:34pm
First of all, hello, I'm new here! This seems like a helpful community from what I've seen, so I'm glad I found it 
I'm new to pixel art and really, art in general, but I'm willing to learn. I've read some tutorials and other such things around the forums and the internet, just so I have a general idea of what I'm even doing. I decided to try making a random sword today, to see what people think of what I can do so far, and hopefully find out what I need to improve. Anyway, all (helpful) comments/criticisms are appreciated, so thank you to anyone that helps me. 
I didn't really have a reference, I just started drawing a sword that I thought looked nice, although I did look at http://www.swordsoftheeast.com/ProductImages/musashi/japanese-swords-samurai-swords-musashi-maou-kaze-katana.jpg - this for some help on how the tip of the blade should look. |
Replies:
Posted By: Hapiel
Date Posted: 20 September 2009 at 2:14pm
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Hello Kephix, Welcome to Pixeljoint! Nice sword you have there! That is really good for a first pixel art attempt, and also the handle design is not so boring, which proofs your creativity! However, of course (especially as a beginner) everything can be improved, and therefor I have a few tips :). At first, because you put it on a white background, and a lot of the 'outline' is quite bright too, it is a bit hard to see. Why not outline it with black? The handle gives the impression of a majestic sword. The shape of the top does not. I gave the top a regular medieval triangle point to match the style of the handle. At last, I played a bit with the colors, higher contrast on the handle, and a bit difference in the shine on the blade to make it more interesting. If you check out your reference picture you will notice the blade has darker and brighter areas too.  Good luck! ------------- |
Posted By: Kephix
Date Posted: 20 September 2009 at 3:55pm
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Thanks for the fast reply Lollige, and for the tips. I agree that the shape doesn't really make sense, the triangular tip makes more sense here. Also, I changed some of the hilt colors to make them contrast more, and it really looks better that way. I made the background a bit darker, but I don't think the outline really helps once I do that. I put it on to compare the two though. I made the end of the hilt a bit smaller too, it looked strange when it was so big. Finally, I changed the colors around on the blade a bit, so it has different colored areas.
Here's what I have so far  
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Posted By: Hatch
Date Posted: 20 September 2009 at 5:37pm
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That's a great update! Only thing is, I think your proportions are still a bit off. I'd make the spiky things on each side of the handguard a good deal smaller and then I'd extend the grip several pixels. It'll give it a more realistic look. ------------- |
Posted By: Kephix
Date Posted: 22 September 2009 at 3:20pm
Well, thanks for the input, I lengthened the grip a bit and added some more decoration in the extra length. I also made those spiky things on the handguard thinner, and moved them down so it looks like they're protecting the hand more.
I appreciate the help with this, I see I was right about the community :) I'm probably going to try thinking of something to do for the weekly challenge, I hear that's a good way to practice! |
Posted By: Manupix
Date Posted: 22 September 2009 at 11:57pm
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Protecting the hand? You'd break your wrist in no time with those things! Otherwise, good pixels! |
Posted By: Kephix
Date Posted: 23 September 2009 at 5:01pm
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Heh, didn't really think about that o.O
What was "defensive" can now become offensive (kind of), though. 
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