Animation is hard!

During last week’s live questions session on Podtoid, a bunch of you asked me to do a tutorial on how to make sprite artwork. What a bad idea! I’m flattered that people thoughtConstructoidandRunnerlooked OK, but if you want to learn right, you should learn from the professionals.

This how-to video onRiver City Ransom: Undergroundis a much better showcase, especially if you plan on sticking to more well-known art tools like Photoshop. That said, this kind art isn’t easy to make, no matter of how “retro” it may look and no matter what tools you use. It’s how you put each creative decision together with the last, making them work as a cohesive whole, that makes the difference between successful artists and those floundering in the shadows (like myself).

Article image

John and Molly sitting on the park bench

Close up shot of Marissa Marcel starring in Ambrosio

Kukrushka sitting in a meadow

Lightkeeper pointing his firearm overlapped against the lighthouse background

Overseer looking over the balcony in opening cutscene of Funeralopolis

Edited image of Super Imposter looking through window in No I’m not a Human demo cutscene with thin man and FEMA inside the house

Indie game collage of Blue Prince, KARMA, and The Midnight Walk

Close up shot of Jackie in the Box

Silhouette of a man getting shot as Mick Carter stands behind cover