Post by Stapler on Jun 19, 2008 20:26:59 GMT -4
Okay, sprite-makers, this section will give you tips on making your own fake sprites FROM SCRATCH.
NOTE: These are the techniques that I USE, but there are many different ways. READ THE INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY!! If you use them, you may some day grow up to be a successful sprite artist like myself ;D.
Part I: Outlining
1. Open up Paint (duh).
2. Click on the tab labeled Image--> Attributes. This is to adjust the size of the screen you can draw on. I like to give myself a lot of room, even though I don't use it. Choose anywhere from 500x500 to 1000x1000. HOWEVER! the size limit for a pokemon sprite is 80x80 pixels. I often check to make sure I am under the limit. If you are making a large pokemon, keep your dimensions at 80x80 at all times.
3(opt). If you are making an evolution or prevolution of an existing pokemon, you might want to copy a sprite from the internet and use it as a reference.
4. Click on the zoom button (magnifying glass) found on the left side. A box will appear below the buttons that says:
Click on the 6x. You may not notice, but this has temporarily enlarged the picture.
5. Start with something simple, like a circle. I am making a small ant/termite.
6. I never like to have a perfect circle in my sprites, because I'm not perfect, so I like to change it. For this pokemon, I want him slightly skewed to the right. You can do this by using the Select(dotted square) button to make a box around your circle, and clicking Image--> Stretch/Skew. In the third box (horizontal skew) type a small angle like 10 or 15, and hit ok. If you use this method, you will have to reconnect the circle using the Brush button or Pencil button (I prefer brush). While using the brush, there is a small box on the side where you can select the size of your tip. Use the smallest dot. Left click will be a black pixel, right click will erase a pixel. If you do not want to skew the circle, you can also do this manually with your brush.
7. Continue to work on your sprite until you have a basic outline.
8. Now add some details: the eye, mouth, legs, and antennae. Don't worry! This will become easier with practice!
Part II: Coloring and Shading
9. It's time to add color. You should probably have some idea of what the color is going to be. Choose one of the colors at the bottom that is similar to your color. Now click Color--> Edit Colors. I like to customize my colors. To do this, click on the Define Custom Colors>> button. Changing the amounts of red, green, and blue will change what color you have. Get used to choosing your colors this way.
10. Apply the color to the appropriate places. Your sprite should probably have many different colors... mine doesn't.
11. Click Colors--> Edit Colors, and Define Custom Colors>> again. Now look at the scale on the right that goes from very light at the top to very dark at the bottom. Move the arrow down a little. Now use this color to apply shadows. Remember that the light is usually coming from the left. Also, do the same thing but move the arrow up. Use this color to add lighter shading. Depending on the pokemon, it may require more layers of shading. I added a small white spot because his head is smooth and round.
12. Now take the darkest shade of the color, and make it darker, but not too close to black. Use this color as the outline on the parts where there is a lighter shade.
Now zoom out and look at your work. You might want to do this a few times while you are working on it. If it looks good, change the Attributes back to 100x100 and put your sprite in the center. Save it. It is now ready to be uploaded.
The only really hard part is...THINKING OF A NAME!!!! ....help me!
NOTE: These are the techniques that I USE, but there are many different ways. READ THE INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY!! If you use them, you may some day grow up to be a successful sprite artist like myself ;D.
Part I: Outlining
1. Open up Paint (duh).
2. Click on the tab labeled Image--> Attributes. This is to adjust the size of the screen you can draw on. I like to give myself a lot of room, even though I don't use it. Choose anywhere from 500x500 to 1000x1000. HOWEVER! the size limit for a pokemon sprite is 80x80 pixels. I often check to make sure I am under the limit. If you are making a large pokemon, keep your dimensions at 80x80 at all times.
3(opt). If you are making an evolution or prevolution of an existing pokemon, you might want to copy a sprite from the internet and use it as a reference.
4. Click on the zoom button (magnifying glass) found on the left side. A box will appear below the buttons that says:
Click on the 6x. You may not notice, but this has temporarily enlarged the picture.5. Start with something simple, like a circle. I am making a small ant/termite.
6. I never like to have a perfect circle in my sprites, because I'm not perfect, so I like to change it. For this pokemon, I want him slightly skewed to the right. You can do this by using the Select(dotted square) button to make a box around your circle, and clicking Image--> Stretch/Skew. In the third box (horizontal skew) type a small angle like 10 or 15, and hit ok. If you use this method, you will have to reconnect the circle using the Brush button or Pencil button (I prefer brush). While using the brush, there is a small box on the side where you can select the size of your tip. Use the smallest dot. Left click will be a black pixel, right click will erase a pixel. If you do not want to skew the circle, you can also do this manually with your brush.
7. Continue to work on your sprite until you have a basic outline.
8. Now add some details: the eye, mouth, legs, and antennae. Don't worry! This will become easier with practice!
Part II: Coloring and Shading
9. It's time to add color. You should probably have some idea of what the color is going to be. Choose one of the colors at the bottom that is similar to your color. Now click Color--> Edit Colors. I like to customize my colors. To do this, click on the Define Custom Colors>> button. Changing the amounts of red, green, and blue will change what color you have. Get used to choosing your colors this way.
10. Apply the color to the appropriate places. Your sprite should probably have many different colors... mine doesn't.
11. Click Colors--> Edit Colors, and Define Custom Colors>> again. Now look at the scale on the right that goes from very light at the top to very dark at the bottom. Move the arrow down a little. Now use this color to apply shadows. Remember that the light is usually coming from the left. Also, do the same thing but move the arrow up. Use this color to add lighter shading. Depending on the pokemon, it may require more layers of shading. I added a small white spot because his head is smooth and round.
12. Now take the darkest shade of the color, and make it darker, but not too close to black. Use this color as the outline on the parts where there is a lighter shade.
Now zoom out and look at your work. You might want to do this a few times while you are working on it. If it looks good, change the Attributes back to 100x100 and put your sprite in the center. Save it. It is now ready to be uploaded.
The only really hard part is...THINKING OF A NAME!!!! ....help me!
EVIL GENGAR 
