[C&C] WH40K Carnifex battler (WIP)

[Mattastic]

This is kind of an experiment in a technique I read about. A while ago I found that someone had made units for Civilization II by taking photos of miniatures and pixelating them. I thought I'd give it a go myself, but found it's actually not that easy by far. I used the original image as a starting point (with each section reduced to up to six colours) and re-drew over that, using both the low-colour and photographic images as heavy guides. And then edged each part using the same technique used for Pokemon sprites. I'm also doing it in parts so I can try and include as many of the model's upgrades as possible if I get that far.

I'm curious as to whether this method is considered an acceptable form of sprite art, since a large amount of the work has been done for me by using the photo. On an artistic side, is the palette too limited for the larger areas? And I'm also not really sure about the quality of the edging, again perhaps due to the palette. Any other comments would also be appreciated.

EDIT 10/12: Added some details to the back and started working on the leg.

 

[Grathea]

I think it's acceptable as long as you make a note of the fact that you worked off of something else. As to the limited palette - since when has that ever really mattered? Some of my favorite pieces of spritework/pixel art use very limited palettes. For example, this one.

 

[LegACy]

Hey, that's cool!I'd like to see the full version!

On an artistic side, is the palette too limited for the larger areas?

some of the best sprite art actually has pretty limited palletes ^^

 

[Samboy]

Looks fantastic. Believe it or not, some of the best pixel art is done by this method. I've tried doing German trucks, planes - etc and it doesn't look too bad. Well, not as bad as my stuff done without a guide. :P

 

[Venetia]

I think it looks pretty cool! And yeah, it takes a lot of time no matter what way you do it :'P

 

[Mascarpone]

hold me i'm scared. it's gonna eat me.

regardless of technique, it's nicely done. and lots of professionals "cheat" so to speak so there's no shame in this.

 

[Evilupstart]

Got to admit, you're definatly doing the model justice. I'm a big fan of the 40k universe and a Tyranid sprite is no easy task.
Looks incredible. Can't wait to see it finished or better still, animated.

 

[Mattastic]

Thanks for the comments guys. I'm just sometimes paranoid about pixel art. I've known communities where so much as using the circle tool is considered bad practice, let alone relying on a reference photo so closely.

I'll keep upgrading the image every time I have something new to show. I fear this may take quite some time though. I just had to choose one of the biggest models in the game. :P

 

[Mascarpone]

In the world of marketing all that matters in the end is your final product and how it's presented. Anyone who's that anal about how you got there needs to remove the proverbial stick. Jackson Pollock was wrong, visual art is about the product not the process.

 

[Venetia]

In the world of marketing all that matters in the end is your final product and how it's presented. Anyone who's that anal about how you got there needs to remove the proverbial stick. Jackson Pollock was wrong, visual art is about the product not the process.

Weird ... I was just about to say pretty much the same thing ... o_o

 

[Gmanjudo]

Limited palettes in no way reduce the quality of a sprite my friend, in fact they occasionally greatly increase the end product.

It all depends on the style though in the end. I see no problems with how you are doing your work so far, unless I want to start up photoshop and take a detailed look around that is haha.

 

[Mascarpone]

In the world of marketing all that matters in the end is your final product and how it's presented. Anyone who's that anal about how you got there needs to remove the proverbial stick. Jackson Pollock was wrong, visual art is about the product not the process.

Weird ... I was just about to say pretty much the same thing ... o_o

its almost like we're finishing each other's sentences. lets marry shall we?

 

[Cypher]

I actually never thought of doin it that way. And it works beautifully. For some reason, the carapace on his head makes me fell a bit giddy, like bright colours and soft fabrics :D

 

[Bestone]

40k FTW

 

[Loofah]

Necro post - not FTW

 

[Bestone]

Necro post - not FTW

Ah sorry, did a search it wasnt that far back didnt realise the date, my bad

 

[$t3v0]

In the world of marketing all that matters in the end is your final product and how it's presented. Anyone who's that anal about how you got there needs to remove the proverbial stick. Jackson Pollock was wrong, visual art is about the product not the process.

You should write a book, I'd read it.
Honestly the best thing I've ever read on .org. Ever.

 

[Venetia]

Lockin' the necrolove before it becomes a necro-orgy.