NES Toon-Link

[Serious Spriter]

I'm about to attempt to post a sprite sheet of Toon Link in The Legend of Zelda look. The result is good I would say but I do need some tips and feedback before I shape my final result. Feedback is always appreciated




   

[Ton]

All you've done is recolor the hair.

Here's how you can improve this;

-If you're shooting for NES style, make sure to stay within your color limits.
-Toon Link's expressive face is his most notable feature. This would require heavy editing to make this Link look like Toon Link.

[OS-PRIME]

All you've done is recolor the hair.

Here's how you can improve this;

-If you're shooting for NES style, make sure to stay within your color limits.
-Toon Link's expressive face is his most notable feature. This would require heavy editing to make this Link look like Toon Link.

I doubt a Toon Link could work at that size and be recognized as a Toon Link. Maybe if you double it up, it could work.

[Serious Spriter]

I might need to make Toon Link's sprite bigger to get the details to match (Which I'm slightly hesitant to do only because regular Link is supposed to be the bigger one) and maybe change up his clothes too. Thanks for the feedback, I'll give you an update when I get finished with changing it.

[DioShiba]

I already have a couple of thoughts.

Usually when I see edits or recolors from newbies, I usually tell them to stop doing that. It can be done but unless they sit down and deconstruct the sprite heavily which takes more critical thinking and tact, it is difficult.

Which I'm going to express here as well, not to be mean nessecarily but you could approach making a Toon Link styled sprite with NES restrictions in a better way. And while there is nothing wrong with the practice of editing and recoloring in of itself often times people will do what you are doing where they get a pre-made sprite that exists from another game and try minor tweaks. Which often times yield lacking results.

My opinion is that you're better off doing it from scratch as opposed to just making an edit. In this case because you're working with an an art style that is not initially affected by the same limitations for the console it was on, you will probably struggle way more than you should be trying to get the details at least somewhat accurate to what you are aiming for by restricting yourself to the limits of an NES console, let alone the first zelda. You could heavily edit it as Ton suggested as well but I've already stated my thoughts to why I would suggest doing something totally different.

I am also going to echo Ton's point about NES restrictions. Unless you have every intent of megamaning this spirte with two layers and using four colors, avoid doing more than three colors and stick with the NES palette. And thats where it could get challenging because you have to figure out a balance between detail and simplicity to sprite something small enough to be readable yet have that aesthetic you want for it.


As for suggestions on what I would do if you do wish to continue editing this, Get references from the internet of Toon Link, study the colors of his uniform, maybe reconsider heavily which colors you think would best suit what would work best. I would also maybe suggest looking at the Minnish Cap and Link's Awakening sprites to help give you a better idea of what you might want to do in order to tackle certain details of toon link since they're both the same perspective as the legend of zelda. However, unless you take the time to seriously edit these heavily, I am not certain how just editing it will turn out and if you end up finding yourself in a position where you'd get frustrated, start over entirely from square one.

[Serious Spriter]

Oh boy, I have a lot to type. 

First, here's the "new and improved sprite sheet".

   

Now for the changes:

• Toon Link's hair is even bigger to match his wind waker appearance.
  
• Toon Link is 1 pixel taller (amazing right?)
  
• Toon Link's eyes or more "toonish".
  
• Toon Link's Ears, Nose, and shoes are slightly smaller.
  
• Toon Link's hat is bigger...? Yeah, that's about right.
  
• Toon Link's er... buckle thingamajig is yellow and looks ever so slightly different.
  
• Last but not least: the bottom of Toon Link's shoe is yellow to match how it is in Wind Waker.
  

Here's an addition but I'll still call it a change cus I can. 

• New "3 colors" palette... cause you guys kept pointing it out and it makes since cus nes limitations so uhhh yee there you go whoop-de-doo (It's ugly  ).
  

Here are some errors I fixed:

• The Cross on the Big Shield (You're probably saying: "Yeah Serious The "Big Shield" IT'S CALLED THE MAGICAL SHIELD YOU DUNCE   " and I don't blame you for that) is now yellow on ALL sides.
  
• The space between the Boomerang and the... explosion bits after killing an enemy with the launched sword ("       ") is now 2 pixels instead of one.
  

Here's the "to-do list":

• Make the "3 colors" palette look actually decent.
  
• Make the "wooden sword" look like the Hero's Sword from Wind Waker (I HOPE I GOT IT RIGHT).
  
• Change the palette to match Link's original palette (No idea why I changed it) And also change the hair color into the yellow from the Triforce.
  
• Make the "explosion bits" look better.
  

That's a lot... AND THERE IS STILL MORE! 
I still have to tell and clarify some things.

"You will probably struggle way more than you should be trying to get the details at least somewhat accurate to what you are aiming for by restricting yourself to the limits of an NES console, let alone the first Zelda."
I like limiting myself because "Limitations breed creativity" and it's fun to find workarounds and make a sprite that cuts corners but still looks great. Oh yeah, for the "You're better off doing it from scratch as opposed to just making an edit." thing. All I can say is: creating TLoZ Styled sprites is NOT my thing.

"I doubt a Toon Link could work at that size and be recognized as a Toon Link. Maybe if you double it up, it could work." If you were making a fan game then maybe it would be fine but when trying to create an accurate representation of what Toon Link would look like if he were to be in the Original TLoZ... yeah you can see where that's going. Besides I kinda suck with a little spriting thing called "Resolution" Ton should know.

FINALLY, I (hopefully) got everything I wanted to get. Well then, once again feedback is always appreciated and now I'm going to do anything BUT type any more of this already super long post. Now, what should I do, Sleep? That's always good... I might sleep.

[AkumaTh]

"You will probably struggle way more than you should be trying to get the details at least somewhat accurate to what you are aiming for by restricting yourself to the limits of an NES console, let alone the first Zelda."
I like limiting myself because "Limitations breed creativity" and it's fun to find workarounds and make a sprite that cuts corners but still looks great. Oh yeah, for the "You're better off doing it from scratch as opposed to just making an edit." thing. All I can say is: creating TLoZ Styled sprites is NOT my thing.

Thing is, your sprites does not look like Toon Link. It still looks like an edit of the original Link sprite. If you want to make OG Link look Toon, you're picking the wrong areas to focus on.

"I doubt a Toon Link could work at that size and be recognized as a Toon Link. Maybe if you double it up, it could work." If you were making a fan game then maybe it would be fine but when trying to create an accurate representation of what Toon Link would look like if he were to be in the Original TLoZ... yeah you can see where that's going. Besides I kinda suck with a little spriting thing called "Resolution" Ton should know.

There is a square to let you know the size it should be compared to the original.

While custom making your own sprites would be a smarter deal, there could be more to the edit than your changes. You say you like to work with limitations, but so far your limitation is breaking it. So I decided to show an attempt at how it would look.



The first is the original. The second is your first attempt, which broke color limits and does not look like Toon Link. The Third is your second attempt (ignoring color limits for now). Again, it does not look like Toon Link. It looks more like an older version of the second sprite. The final is my attempt with what was the defining trait of Toon Link: his expressive face. What I did was increase the face area, which gave me more room to make big eyes to attempt to look more toon like. It is still in the same box but it is closer to Toon Link than before. It can definitely be improved upon and fixed, but this should show you the direction of how an NES Style Toon Link should look like.

[Serious Spriter]

Alright fine... I'll do it. It will be much harder to make it from scratch is because I've never tried making anything in TLoZ style or any TLoZ in that matter (Which was why I was avoiding doing it from scratch). I can't guarantee I will be quick in making it but I'll try giving a showcase as quick as I can.

[DioShiba]

Never avoid doing anything from scratch.

This is such a bad idea because you'll never be able to improve on anything you do by not making something from nothing. And I get that its daunting at first to do so but when you break out of that comfort zone and just do it, you'll allow yourself room to actually make sprites and pixel art that you will be more proud of in the long run.

EDIT: And believe me, it gets easier the more you put that into practice.

This applies with any form of art. Be it sprites, paintings or creative writing.

[Serious Spriter]

Thank you for the motivation as it encourages me to try harder. 

[Serious Spriter]

Sorry for not posting for a long time as I was just experimenting with designs. I got one I like however I still have to do some work on it.



Oh yeah: I'm not trying to sound impatient or anything (I'm not) but I've had a Sonic 3D Blast sheet submitted for almost a month now and I don't know If it normally takes this long or not. Just asking since I have no idea what goes on when reviewing sheets to see if they're good or if they have a problem.