Suggestions Qvalador's Gazillionth Spriting Thread

[kyeugh]

Hello, I am starting this up again. I'm by no means good yet, which is basically why I'm making this thread: I really want to get good at it, and the only way to do that is to get advice. I sat looking at this next sprite for about ten minutes thinking about how I could make it better, and came up empty. So I decided I need actually criticism.

So, that's the sprite. Again, I know it's far from perfect; can someone tell me how to make it better? Please?

And by the way, it's supposed to resemble this.

 

[Superbird]

It needs more dimension. What shading you already have is done very well, but without the back section being darker overall than the front section, it looks more like a profile shot, which doesn't seem to be the intention. So basically, put more shadow on the back half of its body, as if the farther back you go the farther you're getting from the light source.

 

[kyeugh]

Nope, it's meant to be in a profile-esque view. Which is probably bad, since you didn't think it was.

 

[I liek Squirtles]

I'm not a spriter, but the right part of Lochro's head looks too jagged for a slug.

 

[kyeugh]

I'm not a spriter, but the right part of Lochro's head looks too jagged for a slug.

You're right, I've fixed it. I also took a little bit of Superbird's advice (although the edit probably wasn't as extreme as he meant for it to be). Here's the result:

 

[kyeugh]

Double-post time, sorry.

I made another!

(source)
As usual, critique is not only appreciated, but requested.

 

[I liek Squirtles]

I think the head and the belly should have some more shading, and the head should be smoother.

 

[kyeugh]

Okay! I've done what you said a bit, although I've tried not to make it look too awkward.

EDIT: Oops, I forgot to fix up its head. Here, I've gone ahead and done that.

 

[CosmicIceMaster]

looks awesome! i made a kirito sprite.. hope you dont mind if i put it here :3