Cat and Yuna

slightly-caustic · Posted: Sun Jul 25, 2010 12:16 am Post subject: Cat and Yuna

Ok, where do you want to start?

(yeah, I gave myself first billing XP)

-If you are having trouble shortening my username, you can call me Cat-

Av base by me

Yuna · Posted: Sun Jul 25, 2010 6:52 pm Post subject:

First billing's fine, you are the mentor after all xD

I'm not sure exactly where to start...I really like the way you do patterns, maybe we could start with how on earth you do those so nicely??

PS2 by Filthy Gorguz ; Sprite base by Lorelei.
Av Base by SweetPIX.

slightly-caustic · Posted: Sun Jul 25, 2010 8:44 pm Post subject:

Ok, this is how I make patterns:
1. Decide what you want to pixel, and what type of pattern
2. Draw and shade the article of clothing. Generally, I will add more contrast to something that I am going to pattern than to something that I am not going to pattern. But, this does not really matter, because you can always change it later if there is not enough contrast.
3. Make up the pattern, or at least come up with an idea for the pattern. I find that unless you have a set pattern in mind, the most random patterns work. Generally, I just scribble a bit and then make a copy and overlay it to make new patterns.

Examples:

After part 3, it diverges based on what type of clothing that you want to make.

Homework: Pick a piece of clothing, you can either take an old doll and add a pattern to it, or make a new one. Post it along with a potential pattern or two, and any questions. We will go from there (=

Do you like this style of explanation?

-If you are having trouble shortening my username, you can call me Cat-

Av base by me

Yuna · Posted: Sun Jul 25, 2010 11:34 pm Post subject:

Edit:
I'm having trouble coming up with what pattern to make >< I've only ever used pre-made ones so I don't really know how to make my own, and I'm not even sure what shape would look good...how do you get ideas for your patterns?

PS2 by Filthy Gorguz ; Sprite base by Lorelei.
Av Base by SweetPIX.

slightly-caustic · Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2010 3:17 pm Post subject:

Mostly I just doodle XP Like this:

You can make all kinds of new patterns by over laying the pattern on itself.

I have lots of patterns that I have made here if you want some examples of what my patterns usually look like (=

After I make it I assess whether I like it or not and if it will work for what I want to do. Most of my patterns just get pushed aside because I either don't like the result or they just wont work for the doll I am working on.

If you don't like the doodle method, then you can find a pattern on the internet (look up patterns or look up clothes) and try to make a smaller version. If you want to do something with stripes or plaid or anything of that type draw the pattern directly onto onto it (without shading), I'll give you advice if it looks funky. Maybe tell me what you are trying to make and I can offer up some ideas.

-If you are having trouble shortening my username, you can call me Cat-

Av base by me

Yuna · Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 8:31 pm Post subject:

OK, I would have posted this earlier but my computer decided to lose my tablet driver D:

I found this girl half-finished and played with some patterns...

I can't say I'm really happy with any of them. The last one is imitating those tiny black flower skirts I saw all the time in Japan, which I of course now can't find any pictures of but it kind of looks like this. I almost like the second from the left, but... I think I chose bad colors and bad patterns and that's why I'm not happy with them.

Any advice?? ><

PS2 by Filthy Gorguz ; Sprite base by Lorelei.
Av Base by SweetPIX.

slightly-caustic · Posted: Mon Aug 09, 2010 12:11 am Post subject:

I think the doll looks good! I really like the shading on the shirt. I do think that the hair could probably use a little more contrast. I think that depending on the pattern you pick the skirt might need a little more contrast. I think that the part where the shirt goes from the shirt to the skirt is a bit abrupt. I think removing the outline might help a little or adding a a waist band or a belt. Just some suggestions.

So, all of the patterns have merit, but there are some general things that can be improved to make them look better. I will refer to them as A-D, left to right

The main issue with A and B are the lines in the patterns do not go with the flow of the dress. [(1) in image] The lines of the pattern make the dress look flat. Another issue is that pallets that you are using in the patterns seem to have less contrast than the base skirt color, it is making them stand out a lot. If you increase the contrast of the patterns then the folds will be more visible and the pattern will blend into the skirt better.

I think in the case of C the pattern is good as it is (you don't need to make the pattern bend with the fabric because it does not have an obvious repeat) but I think that it would work better in the color of the pattern and the color of the skirt were closer together, also more contrast.

Tips:

1. Sectioning the article of clothing [(2) in image]

An easy way to make a pattern look more like it is flowing with the fabric is to section the article of clothing based on the folds. Then you put the pattern differently into the two sections so that it does not match up perfectly, this gives the illusion that the pattern changes with the dress (but you don't have to work hard and draw it by hand). With your skirt it is pretty simple, but it can get more complex with more folds.

2. The easy way to shade patterns [(3) in image]

I noticed that the shading in your patterns does not follow the shading of your skirt. The easiest way I know to shade a pattern is to take the skirt and re-shade it with the color of the pattern, then use that to put the pattern onto the skirt. This both makes it easier and makes the pattern blend in better.

3.Pallets

Keep the contrast/ change in luminosity (? Lum) in your pallets the same for your pattern and your article of clothing. This will help it blend in better. An exception is with metallic stuff. Also, if you are using a very bright color on a not so bright color then AAing it helps some.

Hope that helps/ makes sense, we will address D at a later point in time ...

H/W: try to apply some of that (assuming you made it to the end XP)

-If you are having trouble shortening my username, you can call me Cat-

Av base by me

Yuna · Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2010 8:12 pm Post subject:

OK, here's what I've got!

I followed your tips and split the skirt into different sections, then put the pattern in accordingly. I changed the skirt color because I wasn't happy with the white, but I used the white skirt palette to shade the pattern so it matched up better. I wasn't happy with pattern B so I swapped it out for another one. I'm not sure how it turned out... This is really great practice and great advice!

Oh and I ignored the hair for now, I decided I'm gonna completely redo it once I'm set on the skirt ><

PS2 by Filthy Gorguz ; Sprite base by Lorelei.
Av Base by SweetPIX.

slightly-caustic · Posted: Mon Aug 30, 2010 5:38 pm Post subject:

Oh man, I am a horrible "talent agent"! I will work on some c/c in the next couple of days and get that to you (I don't have time right now). Sorry!

-If you are having trouble shortening my username, you can call me Cat-

Av base by me