First attempt at Atari 7800 pixel art

[SlidellMan]

So, which program do you use for your graphics? (I use Paint.net)

[R_Leo_1]

So, which program do you use for your graphics? (I use Paint.net)

 

I used paint.net for the 7800 pixel art, but the others was either MS Paint (Believe it or not lol) or a program called PIROPaint for the MSX pixel art.

[NostAlgae37]

 

I used paint.net for the 7800 pixel art, but the others was either MS Paint (Believe it or not lol) or a program called PIROPaint for the MSX pixel art.

 

I never understood the snobbery about MS Paint, but you do encounter it a lot out in the wild. Funny story, I was active awhile back on a homebrew game development forum where all of the posters and contributors were constantly slamming MS Paint, and doing PR for their application of choice. Well, there was this one (I think French/European) guy who was making sprite art for the game and he was far and away the best artist of the group, his pixel skills were so good that his sprites looked like a professional game developer made them. So the numbnuts there proceeded to ask him what program he used to make his sprite art, and when he matter-of-factly stated that it was MS Paint, you could imagine that you suddenly heard crickets chirping, they were so dumbfounded with egg all over their faces. It just goes to show, it's the skill of the artist that matters, not what program or tool he uses.

[R_Leo_1]

 

I never understood the snobbery about MS Paint, but you do encounter it a lot out in the wild. Funny story, I was active awhile back on a homebrew game development forum where all of the posters and contributors were constantly slamming MS Paint, and doing PR for their application of choice. Well, there was this one (I think French/European) guy who was making sprite art for the game and he was far and away the best artist of the group, his pixel skills were so good that his sprites looked like a professional game developer made them. So the numbnuts there proceeded to ask him what program he used to make his sprite art, and when he matter-of-factly stated that it was MS Paint, you could imagine that you suddenly heard crickets chirping, they were so dumbfounded with egg all over their faces. It just goes to show, it's the skill of the artist that matters, not what program or tool he uses.

 

Wow! That is hilarious! I'm honestly a huge fan of using MSpaint, and have been using it ever since I started doing pixel art. I've also never really understood the bashing of the program either, it's perfectly serviceable and simple to understand; I'd say I'm a fan

[John Stamos Mullet]

I appreciate the feedback on the sprites, but I would have to respectfully disagree when it comes to my portrayal of the female characters. There are many people who enjoy this kind of art, and I'm not exactly sure what aspects of the design make it distasteful, whether it's the lack of clothing, or the figure of the women in general.There are many artists who specialize specifically in drawing curvy, voluptuous or scantily clad women (Think pinup art, japanese art, etc.). I can understand more about it not appealing to as large of an audience as most of the sprites I have done would only be suitable for adults. I don't really see it being an issue, however, when none of the drawings I've posted have been specifically aimed towards children or something of that sort. Thank you for the feedback regardless, and I'm always open to more of it.

 

 

This post made me laugh! Thank you very much!

I also agree with Shawn. Your depictions of the female characters is distasteful. The artwork clearly shows talent for composition and perspective in the character design - but the overly sexualized nature of the characters would indeed only appeal to a very narrow audience, in that the female characters are overly sexualized and in some cases questionable. I find this seems to be the case a lot of the time within the anime/hentai/futa fandom circles on the internet, that there seems to be a distinct lack of self awareness in how non-fans of this kind of material might view it. Edited November 3, 2018 by John Stamos Mullet

[+Defender_2600]

Great artwork, R_Leo_1! You're welcome!

And I'm another crazy person who uses MS Paint.

[R_Leo_1]

I also agree with Shawn. Your depictions of the female characters is distasteful. The artwork clearly shows talent for composition and perspective in the character design - but the overly sexualized nature of the characters would indeed only appeal to a very narrow audience, in that the female characters are overly sexualized and in some cases questionable. I find this seems to be the case a lot of the time within the anime/hentai/futa fandom circles on the internet, that there seems to be a distinct lack of self awareness in how non-fans of this kind of material might view it.

 

I respect your perspective, and while I don't 100% agree, I've seen enough negative feedback to make some alterations. I have some questions though:

 

1) Is it all the female characters that are the issue, or just some specifically?

2) Would clothes assist with the issue, or is it predominantly the anatomy?

 

Also, I'm mostly into adult entertainment i.e. Family guy, Ralph Bakshi films etc. so that's the main reason I draw these types of things, not trying to push anyone's buttons or nothing.

But, I'll do a few redesigns to make it a bit more modest.

[John Stamos Mullet]

 

I respect your perspective, and while I don't 100% agree, I've seen enough negative feedback to make some alterations. I have some questions though:

 

1) Is it all the female characters that are the issue, or just some specifically?

2) Would clothes assist with the issue, or is it predominantly the anatomy?

 

Also, I'm mostly into adult entertainment i.e. Family guy, Ralph Bakshi films etc. so that's the main reason I draw these types of things, not trying to push anyone's buttons or nothing.

But, I'll do a few redesigns to make it a bit more modest.

im not asking you to correct or edit them. You can enjoy what you like.

 

But this is a video game forum, and specifically a sub forum for a 1980's game console whose primary fan base is middle aged guys, not teenaged anime/futa/cosplay fans. I think where there is a disconnect here is that this stuff might be popular in your circle of friends, because it's what you're into, and that's fine - but it's not nearly as popular with general audiences as you might think.

 

Also - as you seem to be aware, there's a pretty notorious crossover all over the internet where mostly innocent anime material and really bad/creepy stuff are commonly shared, and many anime fans seem to go for both. I can't speak for anyone else, but if anything that resembles the hardcore porn/beastialiy/worse stuff that seems to be extremely popular in most anime forums started showing up here, it probably wouldn't last too long.

[R_Leo_1]

im not asking you to correct or edit them. You can enjoy what you like.

 

But this is a video game forum, and specifically a sub forum for a 1980's game console whose primary fan base is middle aged guys, not teenaged anime/futa/cosplay fans. I think where there is a disconnect here is that this stuff might be popular in your circle of friends, because it's what you're into, and that's fine - but it's not nearly as popular with general audiences as you might think.

 

Also - as you seem to be aware, there's a pretty notorious crossover all over the internet where mostly innocent anime material and really bad/creepy stuff are commonly shared, and many anime fans seem to go for both. I can't speak for anyone else, but if anything that resembles the hardcore porn/beastialiy/worse stuff that seems to be extremely popular in most anime forums started showing up here, it probably wouldn't last too long.

 

I don't watch anime, hentai, or am interested in futa or anything like that, and I never implied that I was or any of my friends were, nothing has suggested that. I have my doubts that anyone, especially me, would post explicit material like that. What I had posted to begin with, was about pixel art for the 7800, this subject may have gone a bit off topic, but I think it's not in any way that would bring in inappropriate pictures, videos, etc. I am offering to alter the material if it truly is offensive to a large amount of the demographic I'm trying to appeal to, so I don't mind making changes if it really is an issue. I'm simply trying to get into development and pixel art for the 7800 and I don't understand how it's derailed into the freaky junk, anime fans are, apparently into.

Edited November 3, 2018 by R_Leo_1

[Trinity]

[NostAlgae37]

Your depictions of the female characters is distasteful.

 

I find it ironic that someone who idolizes John Stamos (whose ex-wife Rebecca Romijn made her living and fame as a bikini model and being nearly naked in blue body paint as Mystique in the X-Men movies) has such prudish views about displays of female pulchritude... If I were you R_Leo_1, I wouldn't feel obligated to pander to every politically correct individual who gets self-actualization from giving someone they don't really know and never met in person grief on a public internet forum about what a terrible person they are. I say tune out the noise.

Edited November 3, 2018 by NostAlgae37

[R_Leo_1]

 

I find it ironic that someone who idolizes John Stamos (whose ex-wife Rebecca Romijn made her living and fame as a bikini model and being nearly naked in blue body paint as Mystique in the X-Men movies) has such prudish views about displays of female pulchritude... If I were you R_Leo_1, I wouldn't feel obligated to pander to every politically correct individual who gets self-actualization from giving someone they don't really know and never met in person grief on a public internet forum about what a terrible person they are. I say tune out the noise.

Thank you, I usually tune this kind of stuff out or try to rationalize my position, but I'm new on this site and didn't want to go around stepping on toes or anything. However, when he insinuated that me or my friends were weird and that's why I draw this stuff, is just uncalled for. I already stated clearly why I draw that kind of stuff, idk why he felt the need to go on a rant about anime nerds.

[VintageGamer74]

Your art is awesome and impressive! Totally takes me back to my childhood. Give me 8 bit and 16 bit pixel art any day of the week over "samey" renders the that have saturated today's gaming scene. Just my two cents. Keep up the great work!

[R_Leo_1]

Your art is awesome and impressive! Totally takes me back to my childhood. Give me 8 bit and 16 bit pixel art any day of the week over "samey" renders the that have saturated today's gaming scene. Just my two cents. Keep up the great work!

 

Wow, that's really kind of you to say! Thanks for enjoying my art, and I will definitely keep working on them

[imstarryeyed]

@R_Leo_1

 

I think your artwork is quite tasteful in relation to the females you draw. I think they are just super cute, my comment about putting a Sailor Fuku on her was just a gag as I thought she would be cold and not necessarily a comment of her being lewd.. ha ha..

 

As usual all artwork will get some folks who feel one way and others who feel the other, but I hope as an artist you are proud, as you have accomplished one of the most important things for an artist.. to move people. Moving to comment one way or another, moving to feel joy, sadness, disgust, etc.. As a non artist I admire that most in talented artists in music and the graphical arts.

 

I totally respect anyone else's opinion as well, as they are just a valid.

[R_Leo_1]

@R_Leo_1

 

I think your artwork is quite tasteful in relation to the females you draw. I think they are just super cute, my comment about putting a Sailor Fuku on her was just a gag as I thought she would be cold and not necessarily a comment of her being lewd.. ha ha..

 

As usual all artwork will get some folks who feel one way and others who feel the other, but I hope as an artist you are proud, as you have accomplished one of the most important things for an artist.. to move people. Moving to comment one way or another, moving to feel joy, sadness, disgust, etc.. As a non artist I admire that most in talented artists in music and the graphical arts.

 

I totally respect anyone else's opinion as well, as they are just a valid.

Thank you, this is so kind of you to say. I also appreciate the fact that you think the characters are cute I try to be proud of my art, I can handle criticism, I honestly prefer it to a lot of responses, but I really didn't want to get this reputation of being a stubborn jerk who can't take any criticism, ya know lol. I went ahead and did a redesign of one of the female characters, and if enough people like it, I'll implement it in the next piece I'm working on. I'm doing this because I legitimately want to see what people think, not to appease anyone or be "politically correct." As you do, I respect anyone who wants to express their opinion, that is 100% okay with me, always. Thanks for backing me up and sharing your thoughts on the matter, same goes for everyone else

 

Here's the redesign:

 

Edited November 3, 2018 by R_Leo_1

[Shawn]

Here's the redesign:

 

 

I believe that redesign is much more palatable. You should be able reach to a much wider, welcoming audience with characters like that.

[R_Leo_1]

 

I believe that redesign is much more palatable. You should be able reach to a much wider, welcoming audience with characters like that.

 

Thanks for the feedback! I'm hoping this will reach further if possible lol.

[+SmittyB]

These are some top quality graphics, and I like your style.

What's your technique, do you scan in your drawings and edit them or do you draw directly in your chosen paint program?

 

Regarding the apparent controversy, without commenting on whether any of the depictions are right or wrong, they certainly look like they'd fit in with other games of the era.

[R_Leo_1]

These are some top quality graphics, and I like your style.

What's your technique, do you scan in your drawings and edit them or do you draw directly in your chosen paint program?

 

Regarding the apparent controversy, without commenting on whether any of the depictions are right or wrong, they certainly look like they'd fit in with other games of the era.

 

Thanks a ton for the feedback, I always appreciate it! With regards to my technique, sometimes I will scan a drawing, usually just the characters that I edit, and then I add in the background afterwards. However, sometimes I will just start drawing directly into the program, most times that I do this are with consoles with really limited graphics capabilities (i.e 2600, ZX Spectrum, Colecovision.)

 

Also, I'm glad the characters appear to fit with the era, I usually try to do that

[philipj]

Hi... R_Leo_1

 

First off, congrats on your artwork... I think it would be very cool to see your stuff on real 7800 hardware; I think it would be a breath a fresh air from the retro style I'm use to seeing. 21 years ago at about age 20 I was an MS paint user... Before then I started out using "Mario Paint" for the SNES in my teen years until I got my hands on an old IBM 386 that had "Windows 3.1" installed on it when I was 19. I found that "MS Paintbrush" tool set wasn't as good as the ones on Mario Paint, but I didn't let that stop me... I was determined to make the best of out of what I had at the time. There was only 28 colors to work with versus Mario Paint, which had more colors so it was tricky at first. Over time I found that MS paintbrush had a blending tool where you can blend different colors together, but the trick was that art piece had to be at a decent resolution. Up close you can clearly see the blending, almost dithering effect, but looking afar, the blended colors looked like one color, very similar to how a dot-matrix printer blend various shades of three or four colors on a white sheet of paper in various hues and shades, but looking at it afar it looks like one single color. MS Paint wasn't the best program in the world, but you can pull off some very decent art works so just keep doing what you're doing. Don't let the nay-sayers discourage you.

 

Edited November 4, 2018 by philipj

[R_Leo_1]

Hi... R_Leo_1

 

First off, congrats on your artwork... I think it would be very cool to see your stuff on real 7800 hardware; I think it would be a breath a fresh air from the retro style I'm use to seeing. 21 years ago at about age 20 I was an MS paint user... Before then I started out using "Mario Paint" for the SNES in my teen years until I got my hands on an old IBM 386 that had "Windows 3.1" installed on it when I was 19. I found that "MS Paintbrush" tool set wasn't as good as the ones on Mario Paint, but I didn't let that stop me... I was determined to make the best of out of what I had at the time. There was only 28 colors to work with versus Mario Paint, which had more colors so it was tricky at first. Over time I found that MS paintbrush had a blending tool where you can blend different colors together, but the trick was that art piece had to be at a decent resolution. Up close you can clearly see the blending, almost dithering effect, but looking afar, the blended colors looked like one color, very similar to how a dot-matrix printer blend various shades of three or four colors on a white sheet of paper in various hues and shades, but looking at it afar it looks like one single color. MS Paint wasn't the best program in the world, but you can pull off some very decent art works so just keep doing what you're doing. Don't let the nay-sayers discourage you.

 

 

Wow, these are wild man! I'm impressed by all these works, considering the color limitations, it's amazing! I'm hoping that I can possibly use 7800 basic or ASM programming to create either a demo or even a game for the 7800, using the graphics I've made

[philipj]

 

Wow, these are wild man! I'm impressed by all these works, considering the color limitations, it's amazing! I'm hoping that I can possibly use 7800 basic or ASM programming to create either a demo or even a game for the 7800, using the graphics I've made

 

Thanks man... That was a while back I did all of that, but I've been a fan of the 7800 for awhile. Never did get into the programming aspect of things, but maybe one day I'll get a chance to do something for the old system. Good luck with your project dude.

[R_Leo_1]

 

Thanks man... That was a while back I did all of that, but I've been a fan of the 7800 for awhile. Never did get into the programming aspect of things, but maybe one day I'll get a chance to do something for the old system. Good luck with your project dude.

 

Thanks a ton, bro! Also, keep making art, if you're still doing it lol

[R_Leo_1]

Apologies for the double post, I just thought I'd share this. I just finished up another 7800 pixel art image this morning, I'd love to hear what you guys think!

 

 

Had a lot of fun with this one, all done by hand, no scanned drawings