It's not entirely too bad... the image quality has been reduced though, probably because of MKO. Can you post a PNG version so I can view the original image quality?

What art program do you use? If I were you, I'd try to get my hands PaintShop Pro, or some other decent graphic media software that has enough tools to make sprite editing easier.

I will try to create my own smoke sprite based off of UMK3 reptile's stance, and I will save progressions to show you how I go about sprite editing. Maybe it will help you. I probably won't get done with it until tonight or tomorrow. Be on the look-out.

Right now, I just use Paint, basic MS Paint.
I know it isn't perfect, I probably could put up a PNG my next chance, this week hopefully.

Thanks a ton!

Since our anonymous troll gave u 0DPs I gave u 5.

For only using paint, that's pretty damn good. I look forward to ur mini tutorial BS.

I agree that u should get paintshop pro. It makes sprite editing easier because u can tell ur pencil drawings to use a certain opacity and it gives things the appearance of shading.

I don't wanna spur a whole discussion regarding the unfairness of rewarding a submission with a high rating with the sole aim to raise the overall score, so I won't digress any further.

I gave the image a 0-out-of-5 because it's absolutely terrible. The poor cut-and-paste and subsequent resizing are two of many very noticeable and unsightly faults in this image. Copying and pasting is something that even the most unskilled artists should be able to implement with ease. In my honest opinion, there is nothing about this sprite that warrants praise.

MSPaint can be utilized well enough on its own if you work hard and are patient enough to learn how to properly exploit its available tools and have the eye to recognize faults as you progress toward the completion of your work. Though, artistic competence is also necessary for one to recognize his or her faults, but this too can be learned over time. It's a matter of listening to experienced artists and accepting their criticism with an open mind.

Hmm. A bit harsh...but well-said. Sometimes sugar-coating the truth can be a hindrance rather than helpful. Good effort, Legoslayer, but keep practicing. You still have much to learn, young grasshopper.

Alright, I don't have much time on my hands so here's what I whipped up for you:



The two tools I use the most are the:

1) Dropper Tool - this takes a color sample from my reference image
2) Paint Brush - The size obviously changes the number of pixels it overs and the opacity controls how "much" of the color is applied. Like saizero mentioned, this helps me control the appearance of different shades of that color.

The way I like to do sprite editing is drawing ontop of the existing sprite with a color and shaping out what i want. I keep things very basic until I have what I want. then I start using the dropper tool to grab colors from my reference image (the smoke render) and begin drawing in different shades of that color with my paint brush.

This process takes time and patients. Constant zooming in and zooming out to see if the pixels I just changed actually look good.

When tracing over your initial drawing, don't be afraid to "color out of the lines" because usually the first attempt is not always the correct one. As you keep drawing and making corrections, it's only natural to do so for the better.



I brightened the red color because that was my personal preference. Probably a bit too bright.

If I were going to do a fake with this sprite, I wouldn't bother drawing his "smokey skin" until it was on a background. This is so I could make sure the translucent nature of his skin looked correct.

I was going to finish the armor on his legs/shin but I just didn't get that far today. I hope this helped at least a little bit.

That helped amazingly, BS.
Venomark- well, I respect that you gave me your flat out, honest opinion. It's awful. I don't disagree.
So, comparison of my... "work"... to the other astounding pieces of art, well... I brutally suck.
Maybe eventuall I'll be up there, but that's ways away.

Those who know me are well aware that I don't mind speaking candidly, but I wouldn't have given this a goose egg in the score column if I didn't inspect it and fail to find any redeeming factors that would have warranted even half a point. I refrained from providing a critique because I knew that what I would have to say would involve nothing but negativity. However, I wouldn't be so harsh if I didn't want to see a vast improvement.

That said, I do think that you need to obtain the proper editing software, whether it be Paint Shop Pro or Photoshop, and spend some time trying to perfect the finer points, like highlighting and shading. Since you're a newcomer to this medium, I suggest that you go with simple character designs, like those from MK4.

It doesn't take long to improve to a level of respectability, but it does take months if not years of practice and patience to become one of the elite. Don't aim for the mountaintop from the outset; take it one chunk at a time and eventually you'll get there. Like I stated previously, soak up whatever criticism the experienced artists in this medium may direct toward your work and realize that the negativity is only there to drive you so that you may become one of a handful of respected artists in this medium. That is all.

Fan-fucking-tastic!!!