Custom shop menu

[tekmansam]

Since I discovered how to make custom shops and menus I have begun creating my own backdrops for my shops.  Here is a rough draft of my first shop.  A weapon shop.  Still needs a bit of work but let me know what you guys think.  My art could use a little work.

[spoiler="Weapon Shop"][/spoiler]

[spoiler="Weapon Shop v.2"][/spoiler]
My first real attempt at shading and basic texturing.  Still needs a lot of work I'm learning as I go.  Any criticism, advice, or suggestions are more than welcome.
[spoiler="Weapon Shop v.3"][/spoiler]
With additional shading and light effects.
[spoiler="Weapon Shop v.4"][/spoiler]
With additional shading and light effects.

[spoiler="Weapon Shop v1.o"][/spoiler]
Finished product.

[fruckert]

I think you emphasized his neck muscles a little too much, they're kind of scary.
Other than that it looks...MSPaint.
As you said, your art could use a little work.

[tekmansam]

I think you emphasized his neck muscles a little too much, they're kind of scary.
Other than that it looks...MSPaint.
As you said, your art could use a little work.

Ya, the neck wasn't really an attempt at emphasizing the neck muscles so much as it was an attempt at emphasizing shading and contouring.  As for the MSPaint look to it, it is for a retro 8bit NES styled game.  I'm trying to overcome that plain slap-dash look whilst still maintaining a limited palette.  It's difficult to shade without using gradients.  Thanks for the criticism though, any and all is welcome.

[tekmansam]

NES games can only have 4 colors on each sprite. You have more colors, yet you cant even see them. Bring your contrast up.

Ya, I know I've expanded my palette just a tad.  4 colors is in no way enough but I am trying to avoid gradient scaling, dithering, and other more advanced techniques.  Trying to find a comfortable medium.  I have done a bit more work on it.  Fixed the neck line a bit and have begun experimenting with some different shading styles.  It's a work in progress.  I'll repost it as soon as I like what I see. 

Btw lucas here is a sneak peak of my most recent work.  Enjoy.
[spoiler="Preview"][/spoiler]

[fruckert]

NO!

[Zerlina]

It's not bad. You could use more shading, though. Also, the hair seems to be squashing the scalp rather than sitting on top of it. When you draw your hair, draw the head first, and then the hair (leaving a bit of room for the volume).

Have you tried drawing it first by hand, and then tracing it in paint?

[tekmansam]

It's not bad. You could use more shading, though. Also, the hair seems to be squashing the scalp rather than sitting on top of it. When you draw your hair, draw the head first, and then the hair (leaving a bit of room for the volume).

Have you tried drawing it first by hand, and then tracing it in paint?

Ya know, that is something that never occurred to me.  I don't see how it would make it easier, but it is definitely a different approach.

[Zerlina]

It makes it a lot easier. Think of how much more control you have over your free hand, than over a mouse.

[tekmansam]

It makes it a lot easier. Think of how much more control you have over your free hand, than over a mouse.

Yes, this is true but you only have so many pixels to work with so you're right back where you began.  You'll never get a pixelated drawing to look like a hand drawn one without dithering.  I'm thinking about doubling the image size so I can get more detail then using 50% magnification when I set the pic in game.  Anyone know the max size pic you can import?

[tekmansam]

Finally finished the picture, took me several days.  I'm mostly happy with it and it's nice getting to see it evolve placed right beside it's previous versions.  If anyone sees anything wrong with it or has any tips or suggestions, they are welcome, as always.

[fruckert]

The ground looks kind of odd, but you said you were having troubles shading it, correct?

And didn't you say that this was going to be an NES project?

Also again, his neck/upper chest.
You're emphasizing things a bit too much.

I like the sword though.