re: Pokemon White Sprite Contest [New Thread in Black 2/White 2 Forum!]
Alright. To be honest, I've never actually known what the rule is, but I seem to recall a few months ago some forums posting "Threads should no longer be made at 30 pages" and it threw me for a loop. So... unless anyone objects, I'll keep this going for a few more pages. Have some time to finish the second tourney ladder and post them on the new front page at once.
Please continue. And judging is supposed to be tomorrow but I'll probably enter as well.
re: Pokemon White Sprite Contest [New Thread in Black 2/White 2 Forum!]
MODERATOR INTERVENTION!
That rule has now been abolished. Threads can last longer than 30 pages, but it's up to the forum moderator how long they would want to keep it going for.
New Theme: Username Fusion. Create a fusion with a Pokemon that begins with the same letter as the first letter in your username, and a Pokemon that begins with the same letter as the last letter in your username. For instance, in my username, I could create a fusion of a Pikachu and Xatu.
Well I I couldn't, but you get the gist. This is such a fun, and an instant classic round. Sprites have the potential to be as creative and cunning as the users who create them. Without further ado, let the judging begin!
[B-] Don't get me wrong, I love the direction you went with this sprite. Now that I look back, there are quite a few water types among your choices, and I find it quite clever that you chose to incorporate that into your idea, without actually using any water types. Isn't it funny how vicious intentions turn out to be quite docile. Creating ferocity is actually quite a tricky business, and usually needs a good use of the eyes and pose. Now onto the technical side. Your main problem with this sprite is in your shading and outlining, but you are on the right track. You've done good with avoiding a solid black outline, and your shading is improving from what I can see. I'll start with the outline. When you're deciding how to shade an outline (because it is very important) you must consider two main things, where is your light source, and what color is the body that this part of the outline covers. In your case, you've done well on the second, but had a few slip-ups with the first. When adding the colored pixels to a black outline, make sure that there is more color facing the light source, and as you get further away, the lighter pixels are closer to the light source than the black ones. Now for the shading. You want to try to be consistent with the number of shades you use for each color, relative to the amount of each color used. Smaller areas may only require two shades, while larger areas will more than likely use three. Your main problem with this concept comes in the spike in your shark/dolphin's head. It makes that area stand out from the rest of the sprite. All right, I'll finish up now, I know it is a lot to take in, especially for a new spriter, but you have a ton of potential. You are a creative and intuitive spriter, and I wish you the best of luck in the upcoming tournament.
[C] I apologize in advance for being so blunt, but this is a very basic fusion, and fairly crudely made. In a theme as open as this, you are open to so many possibilities. It is such a great opportunity to stretch yourself and your skills. Without delving out of your comfort zone, you cannot hope to improve more than a few thirds of a grade. When I look at this, I see no real fusing, I just see copy-and-paste. While the recolor suits the sprite, I want you to take a look at the shine on Voltorb. See how the outer ring looks grey? I would recommend changing that into a light green, or else scrapping the shine all together. I want you to really try to stretch yourself in this next theme, don't stick to your comfort zone.
[A-] This is effing adorable! There are so many choices to choose with "S", so I'm glad you decided to choose two Pokemon with really similar body types. It makes your job so much easier. I don't really have any complaints, your outlines and shading are nice and clean, a nice balance of light and dark. If I were to nitpick, I would harp on you about that tail, it needs a touch of either shadow or shine. You've also got a touch of brown outline on the top of that pink belly of yours. One final question, when did you get to be such an awesome spriter? I'm kinda sad I vanished for quite a few months, I had to miss out on some cool spriters growing into skilled artists.
[B-] Welcome to Neoseeker, and welcome to spriting! This is a pretty good sprite, but there are a few fusing blips in here. On your torso, the armor has some outline problems (you can read into Wombat's critique for my rant about how to make a nice outline). You basically want to make sure everything looks clean, and flows together without too much eye-stress. This usually means nice rounded outlines, (check the jagged point on the head). Finally, a fusion of this type (a fusion involving two Pokemon) should be what we call 50-50. Basically, you want 50% of your fusion to represent one Pokemon, and 50% of your fusion to represent the other. In yours, I'm seeing mostly Tyranitar, with a few accents from Haxy.
[ B ] I know you've already heard this from Pheo, but it will be in your best interest to recolor your fusion when you're finished. I know you've had fun with strategy to choose parts to make a clean fusion without recoloring. However, if you let yourself recolor afterwards, you open yourself up to a whole new array of parts and pieces that you can use to create whatever you can imagine. Another bonus to recoloring is it makes your sprites look cleaner. While you have been doing an excellent job, a sprite with pieces that don't match the colors of your sprite, it makes the sprite look more like a copy-and-paste than a good fusion.
[A] This is so creative, I just love it. There is such an incredible balance of the two Pokemon, almost a true 50-50. As far as your sprite goes, I think my two biggest gripes are the fire, and the shading on the mask. The mask looks a tad overshaded in its current state. To change that into more of a shine effect I would suggest brightening your highlight, and don't be afraid to move it closer to the edge. Shines rarely happen in the center of an angled piece of metal. The fire, in my opinion, looks too much like fur. Take a look at Rapidash, and try to emulate its style. Start with the darkest red, then add the brightest yellow. Use the two middle colors to ease the transition, and you'll have some wonderfully wild fire. Everything else looks amazing. Don't worry too much about the tournament round, fierce competition usually brings out the best spriting you've got in you.
[C+] There's really no need to post your sprite pre-recolor, we just want to see the polished finished product. The sprite looks kinda cute. I love that you decided to put a pattern on its back, its a good way to break up a plain Pokemon hide. You want to be careful with your scratching though, to make sure your body shape is still natural, and not ... squished in any way. Pay attention to how Denio's body wraps around its neck, that it doesn't just stop when it reaches its neck. It allows the body to look round. Be sure to be careful that when you recolor, you don't lose important details such as the claws on your little beastie's feet. All in all, it's not too bad, but you still need a little bit of polishing. Studying the anatomy of official sprites is really a big help. First: Katteyla (A) Second: Shmexie_x_Deoxys (A-) Third: Dragon Arbock (B)
New Theme: GBA ReVamp I really want all of you to learn how to shade on your own, so I want you to revamp a sprite from Ruby, Saphire, FireRed, LeafGreen, or Emerald. Please don't just recolor the sprite! Judge: Whoever Pheo wants it to be. Date: Probably July 30
re: Pokemon White Sprite Contest [New Thread in Black 2/White 2 Forum!]
Ah, thanks Lizz. This last week has been really hectic.
quote Lizz
[B+] I think I remember this sprite from the last time you entered it. I believe I said that the ears were a little off. The front ear is attached a few pixels too far from the head, and the other is bent down a bit awkwardly. (I'm trying to be a bit more descriptive but I just got up...) I'd be more okay with it if the two ears were at least consistent. Lastly, the front wing clutters up the sprite a bit. ...I still really like the feet.
Just a reminder that the tournament round ends tomorrow at midnight (-7 GMT) and I'm still missing a few entries. I did have one contestant ask for an extension, so judging could take place a few days later.
re: Pokemon White Sprite Contest [Username Fusion - July 18th :: Tournament Update! Pg 28]
I had to do Shedinja because its Ruby/Sapphire sprite is so ... weird. I wasn't sure whether I should shade it in its official style in Black and White, or if I should shade it in the fifth gen Pokémon's style, so I tried both, and this turned out to look better, I think.
re: Pokemon White Sprite Contest [New Thread in Black 2/White 2 Forum!]
Wow, thanks for that critique! I'm actually not a new spriter, but I haven't worked with the Gen V style very much so I'm still getting the hang of it. This is a lot of fantastic advice, and I'll be sure to make good use of it!
And a quick question for the current round: By 'revamp' you mean to completely recolor and re-shade the pokemon in the Gen V style, right? Hoo boy, this could be tough xD;
One final question, when did you get to be such an awesome spriter?
i'm not consistently awesome, a lot of my spriting is still hit and miss. but thanks for the self-esteem boost! i think i'm going to take on the emerald version aerodactyl, it has an interesting pose