Byzantine Soldier

[Flameslash]

So, I tried to sprite a Byzantine Soldier from scratch.

Byz sold frr frum.png (2.2 KiB) Viewed 5191 times

Did I do well? I'm not too happy with the shield or head, but are there any other issues?

EDIT: 64 views and no replies? You guys are mean!

[beetlenaut]

There is very little shading, so he looks flat--you need a lot more contrast. I think his weapon is supposed to be an ax, but it looks like a hoe instead. Also, he is facing straight into the screen. That makes it easier to draw, but makes it less interesting, and it won't match other Wesnoth sprites if that's what you are going for. I did comment, but I still feel a little mean.

[Blarumyrran]

EDIT: 64 views and no replies? You guys are mean!

In my private IRC channel, I linked it to my 63 friends. Together we laughed at it and discussed how it is ugly, and how its creator is likely also ugly and has no friends

[8680]

EDIT: 64 views and no replies? You guys are mean!

In my private IRC channel, I linked it to my 63 friends. Together we laughed at it and discussed how it is ugly, and how its creator is likely also ugly and has no friends

edit: (do not bother searching for the channel. It is very secret, and its name is made of military-grade UTF characters not available to the general public)

I find this reply unacceptably, deliberately unkind. Please pay more respect to Posting Guidelines point 1b, and be nicer in future.

[Flameslash]

I actually found Blarumyrran's post amusing.

Here's my attempt at improving the shading. I also replaced the axe with a spear:

Byz sold frr frum 2.png (2.45 KiB) Viewed 5037 times

[Gambit]

Here is a guide on doing shadows in Wesnoth's style.

[Flameslash]

I added a shadow based on the guide (Thanks Gambit) and also reduced the darkness on the chestplate.

[Crow_T]

You should look at the heavy infantry or death knight sprite to get a sense of the aforementioned contrast, even use the colors off of them in your dude.

[Flameslash]

I chose not to do that because they have too much blue in them for my tastes, and because I want to make this more uniquely my own work. Although, I do see what you mean about it needing more contrast. I tried to make some adjustments and added a more coluorful shield, which should hopefully add contrast to the rest of the unit.

[Dugi]

He's holding the spear in a totally weird position. It should be like the spear on your forum avatar. The hand that is visible is in a weird position. The skirt is too long, IMO. Your sprite also badly lacks shading.

I chose not to do that because they have too much blue in them for my tastes, and because I want to make this more uniquely my own work.

Telling this is almost a perfect example of a way that leads to failure.

[Flameslash]

Byz sold frr frum 3.png (2.65 KiB) Viewed 4939 times

I switched the spear position to the one from my avatar, and tried to rework the shading. I also gave in and gave it a more blue tint. The skirt is the correct historical length.

[Ruglud]

I like him so far! I would modify the shadow again. IMO its a little bit to dark on left side. The face is a bit to dark, too. otherwise I like him!

[ancestral]

Much better. Huge improvement over the last one. Good work.

The unit is still a bit dark. You may need to experiment with changing the gray point and white point levels down a little, or simply increasing the brightness.

[Flameslash]

Byz sold frr frum 3.png (2.84 KiB) Viewed 4904 times

Better?

[Ruglud]

Last one was better. Dont use the Brightening-tool in this dimension. Try to use brigther colors for the main points.