My Artwork and Looking for Suggestions

[Turuk]

Not bad at all, though I might try using different colors for his sleeves, hands, and maybe even his sword so that the parts of the figure stand out from each other a little bit better. This might be offset some with shading though.

[potatomanjack]

Not bad at all, though I might try using different colors for his sleeves, hands, and maybe even his sword so that the parts of the figure stand out from each other a little bit better. This might be offset some with shading though.

Thanks for the feedback. I've worked a little on this and think it's looking a little bit better. I've attached the most recent version. Big change was the sword, which I think makes a pretty big difference with the switch of colours. Only thing is I don't find it looks quite as 'evil' as before, but does match the amulet now which is nice

The bend in his right arm is still a little off, so may try and fix that next. Other suggestions are very welcome as usual.

Cheers,

PMJ

[potatomanjack]

This is my first attempt at the runeblade. It needs a ton of work right now.

I was trying for the partial plate armour look (helm, gauntlets, boots, breastplate) with a sword in one hand, and holding fire in the other (mix of magic and sword) but I find both the fire and the sword look like afterthoughts as opposed to the main focus of the image. I'm thinking that the choice of green colouring for the armour was a mistake as well...

I might do a rework of the head with a hood and cape instead of the current look, which might help the mage side of things. Maybe beefing up the sword could help as well...

Anyway, could use a lot of advice here.

Cheers,

PMJ

[stimj]

Try comparing your image with in-game ones. I agree about the sword looking a bit like an afterthought, and I think it's because 1) he's holding it out at a bit of an awkward angle, 2) the sword is a bit skinny which might be fixed by 3) outlining the sword. Part of the reason that the art guys want dark outlines is because it makes the sprites look larger. Try comparing your image with say the royal guard and see if that helps you. One think you might change is the pose to put the sword in a more powerful and prominent position.

[potatomanjack]

Try comparing your image with in-game ones. I agree about the sword looking a bit like an afterthought, and I think it's because 1) he's holding it out at a bit of an awkward angle, 2) the sword is a bit skinny which might be fixed by 3) outlining the sword. Part of the reason that the art guys want dark outlines is because it makes the sprites look larger. Try comparing your image with say the royal guard and see if that helps you. One think you might change is the pose to put the sword in a more powerful and prominent position.

Thanks for the advice. I've taken another run at this guy with a pretty big overhaul. He looks better, but still has a lot of work. I'm much happier with his sword now, and its position.

Also think the fire looks more magical now, which is good.

I still need to work on his legs, as he's looking a little bow-legged now...

Cheers,

PMJ

e: I think I might fully plate his right arm, as that might make him look more warrior-ish...

[Huston]

looks like you are really getting the hang of this. if you want to, we could use a helping hand for the Era of the Future's Sea Dwarves Faction. Pm me or Mirion147 if you want to help.

[potatomanjack]

looks like you are really getting the hang of this. if you want to, we could use a helping hand for the Era of the Future's Sea Dwarves Faction. Pm me or Mirion147 if you want to help.

Cool, thanks for the offer. I'll send through a PM later on.


Just taken another stab at the Runeblade. Think he's looking better but isn't quite there yet. I could use some advice on this guy on what he's missing.

Cheers,

Sean

[stimj]

Here are a couple things I noticed:
I think the sword is a bit too horizontal now, but it's much better.
the flame looks pretty good, but shouldn't his shiny armor reflect it? I think that making the highlights reflect the flame would make it more believable.
For the bowleggedness, I think that adding a pixel to the back of his left boot might make it less obvious. However, I don't think bowleggedness is a huge problem since a lot of the loyalist units have it.
One other thing I noticed was that he doesn't really have a crotch. seems like his legs just disappear into his sword.
Hope this helps, this unit is loads better than your first one!

[potatomanjack]

One more try at the Runeblade.

Am happiest with this version... although still not exactly what I was looking for.

Cheers,

PMJ

[potatomanjack]

Here are a couple things I noticed:
I think the sword is a bit too horizontal now, but it's much better.
the flame looks pretty good, but shouldn't his shiny armor reflect it? I think that making the highlights reflect the flame would make it more believable.
For the bowleggedness, I think that adding a pixel to the back of his left boot might make it less obvious. However, I don't think bowleggedness is a huge problem since a lot of the loyalist units have it.
One other thing I noticed was that he doesn't really have a crotch. seems like his legs just disappear into his sword.
Hope this helps, this unit is loads better than your first one!

Crap posted, before seeing this. Thanks very much for the feedback.

I'll work them into the sprite and then post again.

Cheers,

PMJ

[potatomanjack]

Just updated him per your suggestions, and am thinking he's looking a lot better. I re-shaded his face as well, and coloured his eyes differently to make them stand out.

Am actually pretty happy with the results now

Thanks for your help with him.

Cheers,

PMJ

[thespaceinvader]

Just wanted to pop in and say that you're progressing extremely fast. This latest sprite is excellent.

[potatomanjack]

Just wanted to pop in and say that you're progressing extremely fast. This latest sprite is excellent.

Thanks for the nice words of encouragement. It's really good to hear that I'm making progress. I'm absolutely loving doing these sprites and seeing them improve.

My goal is to eventually get to the stage where my work is good enough for mainline entry into the game.

This will probably be my last post before the weekend, and if I don't have time to come on here over the weekend, I hope everyone has a great one!

Cheers,

PMJ

[thespaceinvader]

If your goal is mainline, you'd do well to start looking into animations as well - it's rare that we add brand-new units to mainline, but we always need animations...

[A-Red]

The new sprite is looking quite good, but I think you still need to watch your size/proportions if you want to match Wesnoth unit standards. I always find a mainline unit that's roughly the size I want, and use it to make a grid of lines to work off of (head size, length from hips to toes, and torso girth are generally the dimensions I use--with those basic measurements, everything else falls into place pretty easily).