Hand-drawn Sprites? Should I Try It?

[JLaCroix]

Well, I decided to make another RPG. However, I am the worst pixel artist on the planet and I've been trying to get better.

I have been considering for the past few games I've made to try hand drawn sprites. I'm thinking I may actually give this a shot for my next game, but I just don't know.

I can hand draw okay, so I was thinking of finding a sprite template (like an outline of a blank character) and just draw over top of it, then scan it, and color it in photoshop.

Have any of you ever done this? I'm wondering if it's worth it and what I may have in store for me if I try this. I want to have cool looking characters in my game and I think this is the only way I'd be able to do it.

Anyone have any thoughts/advice?

[Jamos]

Re: Hand-drawn Sprites? Should I Try It?

Yep, sprites via pixels can be a pain to make. I've spent hours upon hours doing just one... and without any of the motions (walking, side to side, etc.) Hell, the guy in my avatar took quite some time to make. Camo was a challenge. So if you want to do the hand drawn thing I say go for it. Would hive an artsy feeling to the game. Besides, I would really like to see how it would turn out that way. Thought about doing something like that myself, but my scanner doesn't work.

[JLaCroix]

Re: Hand-drawn Sprites? Should I Try It?

Yep, sprites via pixels can be a pain to make. I've spent hours upon hours doing just one... and without any of the motions (walking, side to side, etc.) Hell, the guy in my avatar took quite some time to make. Camo was a challenge. So if you want to do the hand drawn thing I say go for it. Would hive an artsy feeling to the game. Besides, I would really like to see how it would turn out that way. Thought about doing something like that myself, but my scanner doesn't work.

I'll probably go for it. I just tried to search for good sprite templates, and I failed miserably. Good sprite templates must be hard to find.

[d2king10]

Re: Hand-drawn Sprites? Should I Try It?

Most of the 'hand drawn' sprites are scanned in then RETRACED in pixel to clean it up. Having a good understanding of pixel work and spriting will help hand drawn sprites A LOT.

My suggestion, learn to pixel, and by learn I mean really learn. Learning to sprite is the same as learning to draw, you have to keep at it to get good. Making one failed sprite and giving up won't get you anywhere.

Also, hand drawing sprites will possibly take even longer to make them look good enough to use.

[Translucid]

Re: Hand-drawn Sprites? Should I Try It?

your dude's tattoo has switched sides.

and art is all PRAAAAAAAACTICE

[JLaCroix]

Re: Hand-drawn Sprites? Should I Try It?

Most of the 'hand drawn' sprites are scanned in then RETRACED in pixel to clean it up. Having a good understanding of pixel work and spriting will help hand drawn sprites A LOT.

My suggestion, learn to pixel, and by learn I mean really learn. Learning to sprite is the same as learning to draw, you have to keep at it to get good. Making one failed sprite and giving up won't get you anywhere.

Also, hand drawing sprites will possibly take even longer to make them look good enough to use.

The problem is that drawing a single sprite can take four times as long to do than a hand drawn sprite. And believe me, I've been trying hard to do sprites for years, I've never given up. I continue to practice, I haven't stopped. It's just not where my talents are.

Not only that, I want to do something very different than everyone else.

[d2king10]

Re: Hand-drawn Sprites? Should I Try It?

The problem is that drawing a single sprite can take four times as long to do than a hand drawn sprite. And believe me, I've been trying hard to do sprites for years, I've never given up. I continue to practice, I haven't stopped. It's just not where my talents are.

Not only that, I want to do something very different than everyone else.

Well you are going to run into problems with transparency because of the AA around the hand drawn image. There are ways around that, but it is a pain to fix.

[Dusk Raven]

Re: Hand-drawn Sprites? Should I Try It?

I can't really give any good advice.

But I know that depending on how you do, I may want to try doing the same thing.

No pressure.

Also, I'd have to take into account my D in beginning drawing....

[Kefka Jr.]

Re: Hand-drawn Sprites? Should I Try It?

I think you'd get mucho respect for making your sprites hand-drawn.

Whether it's worth the work, though, I dunno.

[JLaCroix]

Re: Hand-drawn Sprites? Should I Try It?

I like to sprite.

My game is always open for spriters.