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[swordpond]

I'm currently working on an action platformer, with light RPG features (GM8.1). I'm no graphical artist in any way, and thus when I create something I try to keep graphics simple. This results in "lovely" pixelated sprites, but in most cases it still looks odd and like something I wouldn't want to play.

So I'm turning to you talented TIG artists to perhaps, if I'm lucky, get me some feedback and tips on how to improve the visuals to get a better game in the end.









Feel free to point out anything, no matter how it stings. And if this is the wrong forum, I'm very sorry!

[John Sandoval]

Looks alright to me.

[swordpond]

How about the background buildings? What do I do to separate the background from the rest? I've tried to make the background buildings lighter and darker, but it still looks odd, and like a graphical anamoly

[antybaner]

Those also look ok. But If you want tomake them look further away, make their contrast less visible. But really, I think its ok. Its not AAA or perfect but it looks really fun.

[swordpond]

How do you mean make the contrast less visible? Contrast on the actual building sprite, or contrast to the rest of the sprites?

[increpare]

How do you mean make the contrast less visible? Contrast on the actual building sprite, or contrast to the rest of the sprites?

fade them a bit towards the colour of the background, maybe.  I think the player blends a little too much into the grey buildings right now.

[keo]

there's a ton of things you can work on.  I always give this advice to people wanting to improve their pixel art.  This is what worked for me.

I spent a couple of weeks doing warm ups, mostly to get use to working with my mouse, and with the program.  Warm ups are great because you don't have to worry so much about the outcome but just focus and experiment with technique colors shapes.  My first pieces were crap but being diligent I quickly improved.

"Getting comfortable" [this is key] pixelling through lots and lots of warms up I think helps tremendously in building skill and moving forward.

I started by focusing 1-2 hour sessions just on one aspect of pixel art, outlines, colors, shadows highlights.  Pick one - I happened to work in that order.

Get to know your programs interface, remove dialogs you don't use, keep it minimal at first.

I still begin a session of pixel work with warm ups, it helps conceive new character designs.  My puny brain is pretty poor at conceiving an image, so I try to experiment with different nose shapes, arms, bodies.  I think if you do this you'll build a solid foundation for future work.  It takes diligence and a willingness to experiment, like with learning anything.

[Gabriel Verdon]

Yup, increpare and antybaner are definitely right. Blending your background objects both keeps the focus on your important gameplay elements, but it also gives the scene a sense of atmosphere.

Another thing I did was I desaturated the building completely before tinting them with orange, because the green was clashing with the warm reddish sky - green and red are opposites, so you generally don't want to use them together on the same object.

I also bumped up the yellows and oranges even further on the whole scene. It looks like you wanted a very vibrant colour palette, so you might as well go all the way with it.

[handCraftedRadio]

There is something that I love about these graphics. Something strikes me about them, I think it's a mix between the colors and character designs.

It definitely does look like something that I would want to play.

[antybaner]

There is something that I love about these graphics. Something strikes me about them, I think it's a mix between the colors and character designs.

It definitely does look like something that I would want to play.

I know right. Its like those first graphics I used to make when i didnt know crap about drawing and making games/music. That brings back memories.

[handCraftedRadio]

There is something that I love about these graphics. Something strikes me about them, I think it's a mix between the colors and character designs.

It definitely does look like something that I would want to play.

I know right. Its like those first graphics I used to make when i didnt know crap about drawing and making games/music. That brings back memories.

I'm not sure what you are talking about. I honestly really like these pixels.

[antybaner]

There is something that I love about these graphics. Something strikes me about them, I think it's a mix between the colors and character designs.

It definitely does look like something that I would want to play.

I know right. Its like those first graphics I used to make when i didnt know crap about drawing and making games/music. That brings back memories.

Nevermind.


I hope you make this game to the end. It looks really spot on to be honest. IT has a sort of quasi simplistic/retro style that you don't see that often these days. 
I'm not sure what you are talking about. I honestly really like these pixels.

[CEDE]

Another thing I would suggest is maybe changing the color of your character's outfit. In many of these screens he seems to match too closely to the ground he is walking on.

Changing his coloring will help him 'pop' more and aid in visibility.

[swordpond]

Thanks a bunch everyone. Not sure if antybaner is sarcastic or not, but nevermind that.

@Gabriel Verdon
I took your advice, and yes, it looks much better now. Just what I was looking for it turned out.

@Cede
The character is up for redesign (Already redone him twice, but he doesn't look the way I want him yet. Any suggestions for color palette for his clothes?

@handCraftedRadio
Thank you for your encouraging words!

[kyn]

What strikes me as odd is that Sunset-like background color. Usually in those circumstances the foreground tends to look a little more darker because of the direct sunlight in our faces, so either go with a darker foreground or change the background altogether.







Whipped this up quickly.