artisticdude's Art

[Mirion147]

I think the lack of definition between his back and his side make him look very skinny, and flat.

[artisticdude]

I think the lack of definition between his back and his side make him look very skinny, and flat.

Hmm, maybe that's what I've been trying to figure out. I gave the front of his armor a brighter highlight to define it from his back. There are still a couple shading issues with his sword hand, and his motion blur is messed up. I'd fix them, but Photoshop keeps crashing. I hate photoshop 4, but shelling out the big bucks for a higher version is hard (though it'd probably be worth it). And I don't have enough internet time to download GIMP. It's a sad world. Anyway, here's the edited frame. Do I need to give the back some brighter highlights on the right side?

EDIT: Got Photoshop working again and corrected some things, but the motion blur still needs fixing.

[Zarel]

It doesn't look as fluid as Melinath's blocking... I think we'll need to see a few more intervening frames to tell.

[artisticdude]

Hmm, well, I'll sleep on this. For now, let me leave you with an attack animation I did for the imp (just for practice, nothing serious). It obviously needs a lot more movement, and maybe it should raise its arm higher when it attacks.

[Telaron]

One problem. Several of his attack frames have no shadow. Just though I'd mention it. Also, it looks kinda like he's trying to march. I know it's difficult but, just as an idea, howabout a lunge? Other than that it's great!

[artisticdude]

I know about the shadow, actually (this is still very rough). And like I said before, he needs a lot more movement. A lunge is a possibility, but he'll already be sliding towards his enemy no matter what, because that's how the attacks are programmed. The 'marching' will actually look like he's launching off his left foot in the game (I hope). Anyway, this is the first lefty sprite I've ever attempted to animate, so it's perhaps a bit less polished than if the imp were right-handed.

[melinath]

Right now, only the imp's arm and leg move - you need to use the whole body.

In terms of the swordsman: his body looks a bit smooshed; depending on how I read his shoulders and the twist of his body, one or the other of his arms it at an awkward angle. The floppy things hanging below his belt are missing. His head is not between his shoulders. His legs aren't beneath his shoulders. Keep it up Don't stress too much, though - they only see the frae for a certain number of milliseconds.

[artisticdude]

Well, I tried to fix the flatness in the back by giving his armor more highlights. Made some other minor adjustments, too. Any better?

[Stern]

The style of this sprite is well done, but I would make a few adjustments.
His back appears to be a single flat line with no roundness. In your earlier sprite his back was a more curved line that looked a bit more comfortable for him. There is also something peculiar about the rear leg that might need some adjusting. It seems that you would see more of it attaching to his body from this angle.

[artisticdude]

Thanks for the advice, Stern. I decided to try stronger highlights on his back and ease up on the shadows. As for the leg, I can't get any other posture working right now. But I'll keep experimenting.

[artisticdude]

Here's a blocking I made for the monster's attack. Comments on this?

[thespaceinvader]

Good, but needs to be bigger. Take a look at the Drake Burner melee, that's a good example. This type of claw animation can be hard to get right, you're making good progress.

[artisticdude]

Bigger is better, right? Thanks, tci!

BTW, do you have any thoughts on the latest attack frame for the master swordsman? I'm worried mainly about the back leg position, but the back of his armor also still looks too flat for me.

[thespaceinvader]

I think you're trying too hard to perfect a single frame. I've been in your situation, and let me assure you - you're FAR better off blocking and getting the motion down solidly, than doing tiny changes to a frame which will be in view for maybe .5 of a second.

As a frame, it looks pretty fine. HOwever, I have no idea how the animation will look.

[melinath]

I think you're trying too hard to perfect a single frame.

Hmm... yeah. TSI is right. And I've probably been too nitpicky on this.
The latest version looks great, though! I'd say go on to the next frame.
(Also, nice blocking.)