I'd like to learn

[water dog]

I haven't read any of the thread other than your most recent post. I'd also like to say that I've been out of the spriting game for a loooong time so I am probably not the best person to be coaching you here, but below are some sequential edits I whipped up really quick.



The first is yours. In the second, I cleaned up your lines a little and "properly" shaded it. In the 3rd, I made some more major edits that stray a bit further from your initial line work. Lastly, I attempted to add more depth and shape without ruining the integrity of the original sprite.

I hope these edits can help you see where your weak points are. Try to strengthen your shapes and frames. A little tip: when making a shape inside of another, avoid using black lines to identify it as a separate shape. Instead, use your colors to define the shape as a separate entity. For example, the arm and leg of the yoshi in your original sprite is identified by the presence of a black line indicating that that arm and leg as independent shapes. In my first edit, I use your darker pink shade to show the shape instead. Additionally this little rule can be applied to shifts in colors. In your sprite, you show the transition of the pink backside to the white belly using a black line. This is unnecessary. I believe in my second edit I abolish the black line. If your are going to make a shift in color, just do it. Don't bridge it with a black line.

Again, I'm very VERY rusty, but I hope this can help you.

EDIT: I noticed on the last page, you are being dissuaded to use lines that touch anywhere other than on the corners. This is a terrible habit to get into and I'd like to correct the behavior. I realize this wasn't the intention of the members pushing you in this direction, but I fear it's the message you received from it. Notice how on the tail of my edit that I make a sharp corner on the tip to represent it coming to a point? Perfectly ok.

I hate to promote my own work here and I realize this piece in particular has been showcased to death by me before, but it's the most recent example I have to share.



Notice how on the blue dog, I thicken and even sometimes double up on the outline? It is perfectly fine practice, and in my opinion a better approach. Outlines should vary depending on the shape you are trying to portray. In some instances on this piece I do not use an outline all together. I don't expect you to try and jump into using these sort of techniques right off the bat--these are things you have to get a feel for in time. But for right now, I'd like you to work on making your lines more concise and deliberate.