Character Shading Perspective

[Grizzy]

So the game I'm working on is a cartoon style game and mainly for the past few months I've been working on my gfx. I've noticed that a lot of my chars looks awkward and when I try to shade them I really don't like how they turn out. Here is my latest example…


I know all about how shading works as I've read almost all the tuts so its not that. I know perspective point and going from that angle. The prob I have is I think it just looks really weird and I wanted some tips on how to add some depth without looking the cartoon looking style I'm going for. But any advice given to make it look better will be much appreciated (:

[Roxanna]

Well, I'm not good at pixeling nor am I good at critiques. ._. But I do know a few tutorials you could glance at.
In my opinion, your ogre looks pillow shaded with no actual light source. Unless of course, the light is directly infront of him. And even if that was the case, the shading would be different.
Tutorials I found include;

[Shading with a light source](http://doanminhman.deviantart.com/art/Tips-Cell-shading-light-source-112646038)
[Shading different materials](http://nai-xain.deviantart.com/art/Shading-for-beginners-192843586)
[Basic pixel-ing](http://kitted.deviantart.com/art/Pixel-Shading-Tutorial-47269811)
[The process of pixeling a body, not necessarily a sprite.](http://pyrochan-dolls.deviantart.com/art/Pixel-Digital-doll-basemaking-90167696)

I also tried a quick basic reshade. Similar to how I would do it (,without dithering).
[](http://www.freemmorpgmaker.com/files/imagehost/#57743febe14127f4c36bd37534c915aa.png)
Can you tell that the lighting source is the top right?
You don't need a wide palette. I only used half of the colours you used. I considered where shadows would appear, and where the light would stop shadows from appearing. (For example; his stomach, I'm pretty sure flab would leave shadows.) Highlights aren't needed excessively. It's a sprite/person not your new shiny ball. (I prefer coloured lines, sorry.)

I'm actually not sure what type of style you wanted, but don't be afraid to experiment in shading styles. Basic and creative dithering etc. ^^; Though, it's not always needed.
Changes I made, that I can remember:

>! [](http://www.freemmorpgmaker.com/files/imagehost/#6a00795a34bf067450eee7b9063837e4.png)

Like I said, I'm bad at pixels, I'm even worse with crits. But I hope those tuts help as a reference of some sort.

~Regards
Rox

[Grizzy]

Wow thanks.. You helped tons. I needed a visual I think and you gave me exactly that. Kudos :)

[Roxanna]

Well, x.x I'm glad I could be of some use.
Wasn't sure if you would mind me reshading ur work. >:

[Grizzy]

Hope you don't mind but I used your shading to go off of by example. But I made the walking ones. How do you think they look?

[Roxanna]

I don't mind at all. I actually think you did a good job , the shading isn't too bad either.
However, when shading, try to be consistent. It should be smooth.
I'm bad at explaining, so once again. I'll show images.
Take notice of the shading and how it varies. Especially around the neck. It adds depth to the parts that stick out more, and it's smooth. They link together and the shading doesn't look disjointed. (That the right word?) I'd recommend zooming in on some pixel pictures. To see how shading varies. Colours aren't always in block lines. Sometimes they're separated for more affect, or even a little anti-aliasing. An example of creative dithering and colour choice would be [Mariiii](http://www.mariiii.de/)
Base Credit: Wish04 on  deviantart.

Let's say your work is split into 3 images. The first one being the reshade I did.
**The second one:**
Shading on the right shoulder should touch to the ends. By not doing so you make it seem as if, well, right now I'm not even sure of the word. But it doesn't look like it's attached to the body the way it should be. The shading in the area between the left shoulder, head and pectoral muscle is odd. It's too 'square', it should be rounded to fit the shape of the body. By shape, I don't mean the lines. That just pushes you back to pillow shading.
What you should do however, its picture how it would be 3D. Probs explaining it wrong. But if you wer to take a picture of your arm. Then draw an outline of your arm, the outline is obviously flat. However, the shades on the picture of your arm don't follow the outline. The follow the texture, the structure underneath and it all depends on the light source. When shading, you should always think carefully about how it should look. Not just add darker and lighter areas.
Also, when walking. Arms and legs are not the only thing that moves. Flab moves? Another note; the ogre's sides/hips or whatever are too sharp. They should be rounded and not a straight line.
The highlight on the right side, should be either a think highlight following the side of the outline carefully. Or, as you can see in the first image, a shape that fits.

**The Third one:**
You flipped it. If you're going to flip a picture, horizontally or not. Be sure to check it. I can see highlights on the wrong side. For example, arm and stomach.
The 'square' shading under the head here too. It should join up with the darker parts of the arm.
The line on the side of the right arm is not needed. If you were trying to make it seem as if his body turned to the side slightly, what you should be doing is shifting the highlights and base colours. Or even better, changing the shape of them.
Underwear and legs- Seems like you just dragged the underwear down a little bit. It doesn't look very effective that way. Honestly, I thought the underwear should have more shading. Which I did edit slightly. The hand hovers over the underwear, so a very small shadow should be casted. Same for the second image. As for the leg, when it comes to shading and your not sure, look for real life references. It helps. I don't see why the part covered the most, (top part of the leg) is lighter than the bottom.

Below are links to 'bases'. Nude pixel bodies used for dolling. They are however, a very good example of shading different parts of the body. If for some reason, pixels on your computer screen offend you. Don't be an idiot. Don't click.

>! [http://lithriel.deviantart.com/art/Epic-Portrait-Base-166073291](http://lithriel.deviantart.com/art/Epic-Portrait-Base-166073291)
[http://wish04.deviantart.com/art/Nyaaa-base-193103597](http://wish04.deviantart.com/art/Nyaaa-base-193103597)
[http://leviathen.deviantart.com/art/Iroki-base-114723841](http://leviathen.deviantart.com/art/Iroki-base-114723841)
[http://leviathen.deviantart.com/art/Chibi-Ni-chan-129076026](http://leviathen.deviantart.com/art/Chibi-Ni-chan-129076026)
[http://lithriel.deviantart.com/art/Sassy-Base-143118907](http://lithriel.deviantart.com/art/Sassy-Base-143118907)
[http://Aerieyena.deviantart.com/art/oopsie-daisie-177219644](http://Aerieyena.deviantart.com/art/oopsie-daisie-177219644)
[http://lithriel.deviantart.com/art/Stardust-Base-Set-129626564](http://lithriel.deviantart.com/art/Stardust-Base-Set-129626564)

Grizzy, please take notice of how the shading varies.  :P

I don't know If I sound harsh or not, must be because I'm a tad sleepy. But I like how constructive criticism helps people improve. Apologies if it seems like I'm just picking out all the flaws. ._. I'm not a pro pixel-er and there's alot about art I have yet to learn. ^^; Goodluck =3