LMS Helicopter

[Luthur]

OK, so I need help and some critisism with some spriting I'm working on. For one of the begining cutscenes of my game, I need a helicopter to fly over a city, and promptly crash into a building. So for that I need a helicopter, but I'm stuck on where to go with the shading next. So I thought I'd post and get some comments on not only the shading but the line art and whatever as well, so:

*UPDATED* - Changed the design slightly (last image)


The front wheel is temporarily copied from a wagon made by 006 thats in the game, so ignore that. But comments about everything else please, and what do I do next? I admit I don't know where to start in smoothing that rough shading out and making it look metalic. So C&C welcome.

Oh, and please don't use this. Not that theres much to use :P.

 

[Perihelion]

It's too rough to really crit right now, so I think I'm gonna post some art by other people. Hope it gives you some ideas!

http://www.pixeljoint.com/pixelart/33897.htm#


http://www.pixeljoint.com/pixelart/23918.htm#


http://www.pixeljoint.com/pixelart/50199.htm


http://www.pixeljoint.com/pixelart/24819.htm

 

[Luthur]

OK, thanks, just updated with an edit to the design. Thanks for the examples.

 

[Luthur]

Ok, now I'm really stuck. I have no idea how to even start shading the front. Ever way I've tried has looked awful. I've tried dithering, just leaving it blank with little bits of detail, shading in big blocks, shading while antialiasing the edges. But they all look really unprofessional and scruffy. I just don't know where to srart. Can someone please help?

 

[MicKo]

I can't assure you this is good or anything, but I tried to change a little the shape and put some green into the colors (not sure they're good though :x), hope this can help

Spoiler

 

[Luthur]

Not sure about the colour or the back bit (I used a refrence picture that had the back exactl how I drew it) but I love the front. Thanks a lot, that's really helped.

 

[Luthur]

OK, so I've started the shading. How does this look?

I'll probably end up darkening the pallete.

 

[coyotecraft]

The shading looks good so far.
But before you go any further are you going for a side-view or a top-down perspective?
It looks sideview to me but if you want to animate the blades in a circler mostion you might want to show more of the top.
Like this:

 

[Luthur]

Love the rotors there. And I see what you mean (it is meant to be 3/4 view). I'll edit it a bit. But until then, I've got a lot more of the shading done:

Is it still looking ok?