artisticdude's Art

[thespaceinvader]

There should be perspective on the blade - it is angled to the southwest, striking downwards, but we see it from precisely side-on. It should be foreshortened both horizontally and vertically, slightly.

HOwever, as has been previously suggested, you would be better making a block of the animation first, rather than working frame by frame. It is most annoying to perfect each frame, then realise that the animation as a whole simply doesn't work properly.

[melinath]

I agree with cloud: more of the back should be visible and the step should be bigger. (Though if you show the back of the shield and put the sword higher, this could also work as an intermediate frame to the big step and swing frame.)

One thing that might help with making the motion look bigger (along with showing more of the back) is giving the impression of space between his legs - by moving his right leg forward, moving his left leg back, or swiveling his right foot to go along the axis. Right now the sprite looks a bit cramped... He needs to commit to the movement.

Here's an attempt to show what I mean.

suggested_correction.gif (1.99 KiB) Viewed 3108 times

Oh, and a motion blur should be added.

Keep up the good work!

[artisticdude]

Thanks for all your critique. Here's a rough version of the improved frame (I don't want to carry through to completion until the form and shape is acceptable). No shadow or motion blur yet, I'll add those in later. Any comments on the form and posture?

Edit: Ah, what the heck, I gave him a rough shadow and motion blur and a reworked the shading a bit (the reworked one is named reworked ).

[artisticdude]

Argh, double posting again! I just couldn't help myself, I just made a 100% freehand unit and wanted to see if anyone has any comments. I'm also working on the last frame for the master swordsman's attack, but that's still a WIP.

[melinath]

@artisticdude: if you edit a post, try deleting it and then reposting the edited version - that way, people will notice that you added something.

In terms of the animation: I feel like his body could be moved left a pixel or two, and/or twisted so more of his back is visible. Also, the right arm is kinda getting lost in the rest of his armor. Other than that, nice work! esp. nice motion blur. You'll need another frame with the motion blur fading out.

Monster: looks decent. I feel like the highlights could be sharper and the feet could be a bit better defined.

[artisticdude]

if you edit a post, try deleting it and then reposting the edited version - that way, people will notice that you added something.

Ahh, I knew that. Sorry, I was half asleep when I edited that last post. Working on the master swordsman's last two frames (thanks for the critique, mel!). On the side I've been working on the monster, and, well...

[stimj]

There's something very unbalanced about the way his tail and legs are. Methinks that his feet should be flat on the ground instead of at a 45° angle with it, no? And wouldn't the tail also come to rest on the ground? It looks a little strange sticking out almost straight.

[Zerovirus]

More highlights. Go take a look at the mainline trolls.

[artisticdude]

More highlights. Go take a look at the mainline trolls.

OK, took a shot at that, and I erased the old tail and am in the process of creating another (it has a funny shape right now, and I have to get those outlines going, but fear not, for all shall be rectified soon ). Do the highlights look okay, or am I still missing something?

@melinath:almost done revision of sword master's attack frame, will post it (yawn) tomorrow.

[Captain_Wrathbow]

Well, since you have time to mess around with monsters, does that mean you might have time to join another project?
If not that's perfectly fine, I was just wondering. I know I'm also new to this thread (even though I've been watching it for a bit) so sorry for the sudden butting in as well.

By the way, the monster thing has progressed pretty well, and I think the highlights look fine. (but don't listen to me, I'm no artist- the best sprite I ever did was a recolored Elder Mage. ) Those feet still look funny, but I know you already know that though.

[Frogger5]

Niiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiice. Really good. I would like to hear more info about it. Also once its finished will it be up for UMC? I'm taking interest.

[artisticdude]

Well, since you have time to mess around with monsters, does that mean you might have time to join another project?

Definitely. I did a monster just to take a break from the sword master for a while so I could come back with a fresh perspective.

Those feet still look funny, but I know you already know that though

Yeah, that's still an issue. I'm studying carnivorous dinosaur feet for reference, so we'll see how that goes...

I would like to hear more info about it. Also once its finished will it be up for UMC? I'm taking interest.

Sure. Whatever you feel like doing with it.

EDIT: After several unsuccessful attempts, I think I've got something going with the master swordman's attack frame. There's something off about this frame, but I'm not really sure what.

[melinath]

Looks pretty good. I tweaked the frame a bit to add some volume to the body. Also, flipped his right leg around and darkened it - the light was making it look odd. Shortened the sword a bit. Tried to add some definition to the hanging thingies. Could probably still use some work. Is this helpful?

[artisticdude]

Very helpful. Thanks. I feel he needs stronger highlights on his sword arm, and something about his back still bugs me, though I can't figure out what. I like the animation you posted (I've never actually seen played out before- I hate making GIFs). I forgot to darken that back leg, thanks a million for doing that.

[JackBarber]

For some reason melinath, that looks like it's turning a bit so much... like it would cause the guy great pain to do it.