Gremlin Era Graphics

[Stern]

This is a thread for making base unit sprites for the Gremlin Faction and eventually full animation.

Gremlin Hacker


Gremlin Phaseblade


Gremlin Phasemaster


Gremlin Harbinger


Gremlin Herald


Gremlin Emissary


Gremlin Acolyte


Gremlin Adept


Gremlin Conjurer


Gremlin Sorcerer


Gremlin Immortal


Gremlin Hulk


Gremlin Behemoth


Gremlin Hunter


Gremlin Tracker



Willowhisp: By Melinath


Advancement Tree

Gremlin Hacker -> Gremlin Phaseblade -> Gremlin Phasemaster
Gremlin Hunter -> Gremlin Tracker
Gremlin Hulk -> Gremlin Behemoth
Willowhisp -> Greater Willowhisp
Gremlin Acolyte -> Gremlin Adept -> Gremlin Conjurer -> Gremlin Sorcerer -> ***Gremlin Immortal
Gremlin Harbinger -> Gremlin Herald -> Gremlin Emissary
***Gremlin Immortal is a campaign central unit

Gremlin Details

Gremlins are small and frail beings of impressive magical power. Having both corporeal and ethereal elements, the gremlins become more ethereal and magical as they age. With the ability to bend space and time, gremlins "float" more than they actually walk, allowing them to travel with great speed and agility. Trained Gremlin warriors slow time down for their enemy while speeding their own up, allowing them to attack with lightning force. Some of the curious adaptations of the gremlins are their vibrant blue color, small beaks, goggle eyes, ability to teleport, and long lifespans.

I am curious to know how I can make my higher level gremlins ethereal looking like the ghost line.
I welcome anyone to critique the gremlin units so that I can make them look better. I am also inviting volunteers to try their hand at spriting some gremlins as well.

Accomplished: Eliminate all Frankensteined sprites altogether!

Working on currently: Gremlin Emissary

[A-Red]

These are quite good for Frankensteins; I saw them as their own unique characters before I recognized the parts. The Hulk is by far the weakest; it looks too much like an ogre, doesn't have enough depth from lighting, and has too small a head. The robes could use a bit more of a clothy texture--mainline human mages are a particularly good example to study. The hunter probably wouldn't find those robes very useful--I think it would want leather armor and a hood, or something along those lines.

Lastly, could you put the wisp on a colored background? It's pretty difficult to read the sprite.

[Lord Ork]

Lastly, could you put the wisp on a colored background? It's pretty difficult to read the sprite.

Even better: a team-coloured background.

[Gambit]

Lastly, could you put the wisp on a colored background? It's pretty difficult to read the sprite.

Even better: a team-coloured background.

I think he just meant for the forum
In game the background would have lots of details that make the sprite stick out more.

[Stern]

Good idea! I will soon post some graphics with colored backgrounds..

[thespaceinvader]

For the willowhisp: someone (melinath?) made a very similar unit, which has tc and animations already done. You may want to simply borrow that one - the end result will be very similar anyway, and it will save you work.

[Stern]

Wow, Melinath's graphic is very good. I will include it in my faction and give him credit in the next release of the Gremlins Era.

[melinath]

I'm glad you like them + it'll be nice to see them being put to use by someone else as well!

[Stern]

Do you know what specific color/colors the Wesnoth Game engine translates into team colors? I am interested in coloring the gremlins so that you can tell which team they are on.

[Exasperation]

Here you go:

[thespaceinvader]

Team_Color_Shifting

[Stern]

Here is the Gremlin Hacker wearing a team color sash. What are some ways could I improve the sprite further?

[thespaceinvader]

In general, avoid dead straight lines.

And you shouldn't show the gaps you have between his legs and sash - it makes the former look disconnected. Otherwise, this looks good for an early scratch-drawn sprite =)

[Stern]

I eliminated the straight lines and filled in the gaps. Do you have any tips/tricks for improving the shading?

[thespaceinvader]

It's an improvement =)

In terms of shading, two major things are important: firstly, get your lighting direction sorted. To match the rest of Wesnoth, this is from upper right. Work with this in mind, and make sure that you keep to it. Second, don't be afraid to use a wide range of values. Make your light places bright, and your shaded areas dark. And don't shade simply by adding black - make the shaded areas slightly more blue/green, and the bright areas slightly more yellow - natural lighting tends towards the yellow.