First Sprite [For RMXP Horror RPG Project]

[blackhand]

Hey, everyone.  I've recently been immersed into the world of RPG Maker XP/VX.  I've been lurking for a bit, reading up on every tutorial I could get my eyes on.  This is my first sprite attempt for a proposed RMXP project I would like to get off the ground.

Spoiler: Completed Sprite - Updated 3.26.08

http://www.blackhand.com/rmxp/dotp_jared_final_b.png[/img]

http://www.blackhand.com/rmxp/dotp_jared_final_a.png[/img]

 

Spoiler: First Revision

http://www.blackhand.com/rmxp/aotp_character.gif[/img]

The sprite is based off the Half-Kaizer template.  I originally attempted to make my own template with more realistic proportions, but I felt my time would be better spent working with sprite "middleware" instead of starting from scratch.  I have a post detailing the RMXP project here:

Day of the Plague

I intend to release my assets to the HKCP.  I'm being very careful to create all articles of clothing on separate layers so they can be used on templates. C&C always appreciated.

 

[Britchik]

Wow, first sprite? I'm impressed. It's very good, and kudos to you for reading tutorials before starting!

I think you've done a really good job here, but there are a couple of things that don't seem quite right. I don't get the shape of the hair; what kind of style were you going for? The top half of the jacket seems unfinished, because you've shaded mostly the seams and edges rather than the whole thing. The same thing goes for the trousers as well.

One other thing, I suggest you make two versions of this sprite: one for the HKCP with everything shaded individually (as you have it here), and one for yourself which you could shade as a whole. If this is your complete sprite, you could shade the jeans and shirt under the edges of the jacket to get rid of the slightly flat look around the midsection. (Reading that back, I don't think I explained this very well, but hopefully you get the idea.)

I love the shoes, though, very nice. Good work overall, keep it up.

 

[rikuken]

Dude that's very good. Good job keep going!

 

[blackhand]

Thanks for the helpful suggestions, Britchik.  I made some edits per your recommendations.

http://www.blackhand.com/rmxp/aotp_character_b.gif[/img]

The hair is intended to be a messy, bedhead sort of hairdo, hence the asymmetrical highlights, etc.  I added more shadows to the areas where the jacket/shirt/jeans overlap.  You can note a difference in the 200% versions, but in 1:1 scale, it's hard for me to see much change.  I may stick with the less shaded version because I want the seams and articles of clothing to be distinct.  The additional shading seems to muddy the sprite up a bit at 1:1 scale.

 

[RavenTDA]

Can you give us an animated gif? I worry about how the animation of the folds in the pant legs would be. So far you're doing a pretty good job. I would up the contrast of your pallet a bit more especailly in the jacket. His hair seems like it could be a little lower or add in a bit more on where it's conntecting to his head. It looks like his hairline is too far up. Other than that, it's very nice. I love the detail on the sneakers.

 

[blackhand]

Raven, Britchik, I've been refining the sprite based on your recommendations.  Raven, the folds in the jeans have been made more consistent between frames.  I dropped the hair down a pixel, and it really did make a huge difference.  Lastly, I used a sixth color for the jacket color palette, and that really did help punch the contrast up more.  Thanks for all your helpful suggestions.

I also redid the highlights in the hair, so hopefully it's an improvement.

I have everything drawn on separate layers, and I may post different iterations with different articles of clothing, etc.  I'm very fond of the sneakers, as these are the ones I wear--yellow Puma Anjans. It'll also be very easy for me to release these assets to the HKCP.

 

[Hanzo Kimura]

wow... the last sprite i saw here was good enough but the coat was longer back then so it created an illusion effect
but your refining was better... keep going ^_^
keep it up

 

[Britchik]

That looks sooooo much better, that extra colour on the jacket really makes a difference. I love it, well done!

The only thing that could probably use a bit more touch-up is the hair; I think there could be more highlights around the ends of the "halo". Other than that, I think it's amazing. Don't be surprised if I'm snatching these pieces the minute they hit the HKCP... :thumb:

 

[blackhand]

I've just posted images of the completed sprite.  I say "complete" because all the clothes and accessories for all the views are in place, but knowing me, I'll be adjusting pixels on this thing forever.  This is mostly why it took so long to complete this first sprite.  Hopefully I can get future sprites done in less than a week or my game will be in the making for 12 years.  Thanks for everyone's suggestions, and please feel free to continue to critique and comment.  Artwork is never "done", per se, but there comes a time when you have to just let a piece go.

 

[Bridgeman]

Shit man, just how do you pull this off? I've been through a load of tutorials, but I just can't sprite for shit.

Well, he looks awesome to me. Love his outfit. Keep going man.

 

[SteelReserve]

I like how you did the jacket, and the hair is well shaded. Keep it up  :thumb: