First sprite... Which shows why I don't really sprite...

[altgexx]

Deciding that I wanted a cloud sprite that showed off how buff cloud was, I made this. It doesn't really accomplish my original goal, but I had fun making it and I guess in the end that's all that really matters. (At least that's what I'm gonna tell myself.)

Any questions, comments, or harsh tear-inducing criticisms are welcome.

[LastingDawn]

Hmm, aside from the hair... it really doesn't look anything like Cloud, . It's an interesting design, but wings? That's very strange for Cloud (though from here it kind of looks more like a MAG from PSO) Other then that it actually looks pretty good is it 16 colors?

[altgexx]

Yeah it's 16 colors, I only changed 2 of the colors from the original palette. I don't really know why I added the wings to be honest. It's a real pain altering them for the different poses.

[Cheetah]

Well it is interesting...and not bad. I would recommend trying something a bit less ambitious and see how it turns out. Stick with it.

[altgexx]

Thanks, I guess I'll keep working on it. I'm keeping it fairly simple so it shouldn't take me too long to finish it. Maybe 2-3 days should be enough.

[Xifanie]

1) You should post in an acceptable format
normal size .png and .gif works
for zooms .png

2) Gravity
Clothes are attracted by gravity and shouldn't keep their shape in midair like that. The cape for example should close itself on the leg

3) Shading
Your sprite gives the feeling you used global light and the red leggings have a gray border? Use the same color range.

[altgexx]

Thanks for the great advice Zodiac, but about the gray border... I think it looks cool and I wanna keep it. So yeah... And the whole applying gravity thing isn't working out too well for me. I guess we'll just have to imagine that it's a cape that holds its shape through sheer willpower.

[mav]

Well, thinking something looks cool is fine, but having a sprite that makes sense is more important, right? You can still retain a very unique-looking sprite, while simultaneously making it aesthetically-proper. That being said, the concept is nice, but it still needs work.

[altgexx]

Yeah youre right, maybe I should try bluish colors instead of the gray.

How about this?



Still far from perfect, but I think I'm doing a bit better in the gravity department.

Edit: Here's some revised ones, I think I'm gonna get rid of the wings though. They're such a pain even though they look nice.

[Asmo X]

No, it sucks. Theres no depth because it isnt shaded properly, it looks like his outfit is made of cardboard and the red is far too saturated. Get rid of those stupid wings. They are cliche and terrible. Don't start off by trying to make your own parts from scratch. Cut and paste from other sprites to get as close as possible to what you want and then make small changes. This will also help you learn how to shade and make clothing.

Cheetah you are a mod of this forum. Can you please start offering proper critiques? There is almost nothing you won't praise. This sprite sucks total ass and you should call it like it is. It's the only way people are going to get better man.

Edit: You got rid of the wings. Good start.

[Smash]

I pretty much agree.

Apart form Asmo's crits, I should mention that the shading tones on the pants are pretty much inverted, and that you should have left the shoes how they were. Also, long straight lines always suck on the FFT style, even more the ones that stand out, like the white ones on the red coat.

Everything else is covered above.

[altgexx]

Wow thanks guys, your critiques have helped to point me in the right direction. Although, if you don't mind me asking, how should I change the coat to make it fit the FFT style better?

[Asmo X]

You need to look at other sprites to see how they handle clothing. See if you can put one together from parts of other sprites or find a coat that is closest to what you want and then make small adjustments to it. But whatever you do, don't try to make it from scratch right now. Use the copy/paste method

[altgexx]

Ok I'll try to and throw something together with copy/paste. Thanks Asmo, you're ever so helpful. =)

[Vanya]

I suggest using the Mediator/Orator as the base for the coat.

[altgexx]

Ok I'll try that and see, but I'm gonna get off now to take a bath and change. I'm gonna go see Transformers 2 in a bit.

Edit: My lazy buddies don't want to see the movie until 2:10 so it looks like I've got time. I'm gonna go eat then keep working on the sprite. I tried the orator's coat on Cloud, it's a perfect match. Thanks a bunch Vanya. Although, there will have to be more changes to the coat.

[mav]

Better, better. His head looks like it may be a pixel or two too low, giving him a hunched look. Also, why do the pictures look so blurry? Use something like MS Paint and just select the image and increase size by 300%, cause right now it seems like a blurry mess...what program are you using to make these?

You're getting into a respectable territory, but for the best criticism, we need to see the best image, right?

[Archael]

MUCH, MUCH better!!!

whoever said harsh constructive criticism is a waste of time is a dumb fuck carebear

[altgexx]

I use Neopaint and then I just enlarge it with Irfanview. Should I use MSPaint to enlarge it instead?

[mav]

For enlarging purposes, yes. But MS Paint can occasionally be weird about it, so make sure to box around the image with "Select" tool, otherwise it may pull off the same blurry effect as before.

But like Voldemort just mentioned, you've improved quite a bit, so keep workin' at it.