Mystic Studio! Options

[MagitekElite]

Welcome to Mystic Studio! I've recently begun my long journey of learning how to sprite. I'm still picking through all the links I've gathered and the ones people shared with me.

As I sprited various objects, most off of templates, I think I've begun to understand how to sprite. Although, posting my achievements here, might prove otherwise. I have no idea if I'm biased -- when I began, I thought "I'll never be even good" and then as I went on I thought "Jeez, I suck!" But then, until this week, I think I feel....like I'm getting someplace. But I dunno, what do you guys think?

This is my attempt of my female character in my game under development called "Black Moon (Prophecy)". She's a main character, one of them, but I will also have more to work on

[Show/Hide] Sprite Workcase!

Updated! November 19th 2010:

Here is my attempt to make her look more "girly" as I've been told (thankfully! So thanks people!) that her front view wasn't very "girly" looking...
And here is my attempt at the back view again.

Please ignore the third sprite. Absolutely terrible!

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As one of the main characters in my game, concept off VX characters:
Update! Sept 5 2010


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[Show/Hide] Tileset edits Show Case!

Updated:
Updated! November 19th 2010

Update! Sunday, February 6th, 2011!

END NOTES:

This thread will be updated with this account but by three different peoples; The creator of Black Moon, her subhelp with grammar, game testing, video hosting and advertising (ME) and, by what we call her, Dany. Each of us will update this thread using this account. Please contact this account if you are looking for the creator of Black Moon or Dany, the software wielder of our team.

This post has been edited by MagitekElite: Dec 23 2012, 04:56 PM

[literarygoth]

The best way to determine where the shading goes, is by looking at clothing in real life. Where the creases are in fabric, is where there's likely to be shading. (Also you still need to fill in that one block on her hips). The only places you're going to see the darkest shade, are areas that are partially be blocked from the imaginary light source by a body part - like the inner thighs and the upper hips, where an arm will cast a shadow when it swings.

I know it's confusing, but trial an error is the best way to get better. Once you've changed something, zoom out on the picture so you can see it as a player would see it - then you can tell that your shading is off.

Again, look at yourself in a mirror with a light on overhead. Notice where the fabric of your clothes seems darker than the rest? It's all about creases and edges.
Like when you're wearing jeans, the fabric folds naturally to your shape, and in areas where there's excess material (like below your knees) it will fold again, creating an area of shaded fabric. Follow the contours of the body.

Here's a step by step example using your own sprite

[Show/Hide] Example

Ok image one, it's just the outline of the pants and nothing more. Looks very block but now you have an idea of what the pants look like, so now you can begin to shade it in.



Image two. You only want the darkest shade in minimal places - places where the fabric is likely to be the darkest. Like at the top of the hips, because her arms are casting a small shadow. Or at the bottom of the pants on the inner thighs and inner legs, and at the bottom outer edges.



Image three. Use the body's natural contours to direct your shading and highlighting.



In this image is the example of true black that I mentioned in previous posts. This is bad bad bad lol.



As you can see in this image, it's still on the black, but I've chosen a shade a couple degrees higher than true black. It's still black, but not true black. This is great for shading the areas of clothing that require a dark shade, but your darkest shade doesn't look quite right. Like her hips, they still look blocky don't they?



Here is the best place to drop that black, it keeps with the shading and adds depth to the image and her pants but doesn't take away from the rest of the image itself.

Glad to help out at anytime. I can't sprite hair very well so I usually frankensprite hairstyles and edit. But clothing I'm much better with.