Need help with shading this sprite...

[Landith]

Okay, I made a new sprite but I need help with shading it.
I tried shading the head but it looks weird... Also, I'm redoing the head so don't say how it's bad and stuff because I know...

Can anyone help me?

Also, please don't direct me to links, I've been to a ton of tutorials but I'm not sure how to shade this particular sprite.

Ps. This is the image I used for the base Here

[DeathLock]

That's where I come in. =D

Shading is shading, what kind of texture are you going for? Scales, smooth, hard? This is the first thing you need to know.

Here's a quick example about a palette, shading, and a head rework. The shading is incomplete, just to show you the basics.

Normal View:


Zoomed:


As you can see, I define more in the head. Yours look rather boring, it doesn't stand out or anything. Currently, your palette is too desaturated, play around with the colors you'll eventually get the hang of it.

Finally, the way you sprited the body. Its really bothering me, look in the image, how the arms are raised up like a mantis, do something like that to give it more life.

Example:

(This is one of my early works when I got into spriting. Don't take shading tips from this example, its was a dumped WIP. This is only for anatomy for your sprite.)

[Tazero]

Okay, I made a new sprite but I need help with shading it.
I tried shading the head but it looks weird... Also, I'm redoing the head so don't say how it's bad and stuff because I know...

Can anyone help me?

Also, please don't direct me to links, I've been to a ton of tutorials but I'm not sure how to shade this particular sprite.

Ps. This is the image I used for the base Here

I tried by outlining and recoloring...Reshading

[Landith]

Shading is shading, what kind of texture are you going for? Scales, smooth, hard? This is the first thing you need to know.

Texture - Smooth

Here's a quick example about a palette, shading, and a head rework. The shading is incomplete, just to show you the basics.

Normal View:


Zoomed:


As you can see, I define more in the head. Yours look rather boring, it doesn't stand out or anything. Currently, your palette is too desaturated, play around with the colors you'll eventually get the hang of it.

Finally, the way you sprited the body. Its really bothering me, look in the image, how the arms are raised up like a mantis, do something like that to give it more life.

That's a nice head, and teaches me how to shade it, the palette is nice too, do you mind if I use the head?

Example:

(This is one of my early works when I got into spriting. Don't take shading tips from this example, its was a dumped WIP. This is only for anatomy for your sprite.)

I will use this for the arms when I redo this. Thanks

I tried by outlining and recoloring...Reshading

I was asking how to shade it, not for someone to shade it for me, although thanks anyways.


EDIT:


Before I continue, I want to know if that's what you meant.



I went ahead and shaded it, is that what you had in mind?
I haven't done the wings or scythe's like things yet though.

[DeathLock]

Texture - Smooth

Okay, that's basically how I shaded it.

That's a nice head, and teaches me how to shade it, the palette is nice too, do you mind if I use the head?

I don't mind at all, but I'd prefer if you use it as a base, so you could learn how to do.

I will use this for the arms when I redo this. Thanks

No problem. ^^

1. The head is pillow-shaded, meaning it is shading from edges in. If you spot how I shaded it, you'd see I shaded it on the levels of the head, giving in-depth shading to define figure in the nose and mouth.

2. The wings outline is terribly blurry. I'll cover up the rest when you're done with the wings.

3. What's with these white parts in the sprite? (Excluding scythe-like hands, and wings.)

4. In the shoulders, you'll have to give the shading sort of a curve if you know what I mean.
Example:


5. Do not outline everything, there has to be a light source.

6. Do not use the skin palette, to outline the scythe and wings. You'll need a separate palette for that.

7. Legs are pillow shaded, the upper parts.

8. The feet are pillow shaded as well.

9. Do not make it stiff. Give it a natural pose.

So far, the dark outline is ruining the sprite. Use it only for in-depth shading to define figure.

[Landith]

1. Alright, I'll see if I can fix that
2. Yeah, I accidentally had it on anti-aliased when I made it >.>
3. It's part of the Scyther sprite it's just hard to tell where they are. I haven't shaded those yet though
4. Alright, I'll work on that
5. I haven't got to the point in shading the outline, I had to hurry up because my dad told me to go to bed
6. Yeah, I'm using a really really light blue for the scythe-like things and a really really light tan for the wings, I just need to decide what the palette should be
7. Yeah, I was in a hurry on that part.
8. Same as above ^^
9. Hmm... I think I might make it look as if it's leaning forward, make it more natural, although it would be hard to show in a 2-D sprite...

I really appreciate it Deathlock, you are really helping me get into spriting

[DeathLock]

9. Hmm... I think I might make it look as if it's leaning forward, make it more natural, although it would be hard to show in a 2-D sprite...

Actually, its quite easy to do so. It won't really matter in the front view, though.

I noticed the feet are floating. Make it a natural stand, not like he's balancing on his toes. XD

[Landith]

I haven't got around to doing a different anatomy process just yet, still trying to decide on how I'm going to do it.

Is the shading good or no?

By the way, I went for a smooth scale type shading instead of a smooth because I decided it was too hard.
Also, the wings and the scythe like things aren't done yet, I still haven't decided on the outline for it or the palette I wanna use for it.
I just noticed that the legs look weird too 

[DeathLock]

Excellent work on the skin shading.

All you have to do is give it a more natural stand, since the legs are stiff. The shading done on the scythe hands and wings still needs a lot of work.

The bug sprite in the RTP provides a good wing shading example.

Any weapon would do for a scythe shading.

The outline is only a guide, you'll shade over it eventually.

[Landith]

For the stance, I was thinking I should put the upper legs in an outward position then make them come inward for the feet and make the legs shorter.

Would that fix the anatomy problem?

I will look into the RTP sprites and see how they shaded the weapon and the bug wings, as that's the main problem I have.

[DeathLock]

Better to see an actual product, to be more sure.

Use the RTP as a shading guide, but do not use them as a palette source. ^_^

[Landith]

I was thinking about doing the remaster like how his legs are here.

Would that be a good or no?

[Calintz]

Who made that devil??

[Landith]

Sithjester <3

I was on her site looking for Blizz's sprite and saw that one and thought his legs would be good for my sprite (like the anatomy part)

[DeathLock]

Your sprite, your choice. Its all on how you envision it. ^_^

[Calintz]

I hHATE THOSE LEGS!!...
Lol, I was just making positive that you didn't make it, LMAO!! She didn't do a very good job on them.

[DeathLock]

The side looks a lot better than the front that's for sure. XD

[Landith]

I originally tried that but as you can see, it turned out horribly :/

These legs would kinda go with it better though

[Calintz]

I agree, and that sprite is the SHIT!!

[DeathLock]

Looks like he's trying to shit.... XD