12-16-2008, 08:56 PM
Echoing the general "sketch first" viewpoint.
Its not too much different from the process of a regular non-sprite drawing. Rough sketch > Line-art > flat color > finished product. And just like with regular art, it helps to have a general knowledge of proportions and especially lighting. The way you shade can make or break your image. On that note, its helpful to look at refs of real things. Look at how light falls on a face from different positions and study it so when you go to draw/pixel a face, you'll have an idea how to shade it.
Its not too much different from the process of a regular non-sprite drawing. Rough sketch > Line-art > flat color > finished product. And just like with regular art, it helps to have a general knowledge of proportions and especially lighting. The way you shade can make or break your image. On that note, its helpful to look at refs of real things. Look at how light falls on a face from different positions and study it so when you go to draw/pixel a face, you'll have an idea how to shade it.