Shadows on sprites

[beastcarving]

When I draw sprites, I'm always apprehensive to add shadows to specifically their faces. I just feel like I'm covering up the initial drawing in a way. How does anyone else feel about this matter? Or is this only me.

[CSV]

Could you maybe post an example of your art? With and/or without the shading?

In general, the most important thing about shading the face might be understanding where the shadows should go. Learning about the planes of the face is very useful even for stylized art.
Some examples: one. two. three

Personally, I think the faces I draw look better after shading, because said shading gives them more dimension! So they look more like faces, I guess?

[beastcarving]

I appreciate the feedback.

https://img.itch.zone/aW1nLzIxMjU3NjEua ... ESGUO9.jpg

[Autumnotopia]

Looking at your examples, I think that maybe something that would help would be to think about contrast. When you're working on shading, occasionally check how the illustration looks in greyscale. Notice how dark the shading on her hair is compared to the shading on her face, which makes it stand out a little in comparison. I think adding a few outlines to the darkest areas of her face may help it blend with your style if you're hesitant about going overboard with shading. (Also I think the red background looks better between the two. The highlights help the face pop a little more imo)

[beastcarving]

That sounds perfect. I'm going to get right on adding out lines because that's what feels the most comfortable. Thanks for the feedback.

[beastcarving]

https://img.itch.zone/aW1nLzIxMjg4OTgua ... %2F068.jpg
Maybe something like this?

[puppetbomb]

Can you give some examples of what rendering style you're trying to achieve? (If there's no artist you can point to, a mash-up of two art styles)

Knowing what you're trying to achieve will help to pin down how to get there.

[beastcarving]

Maybe this: meets this:
I'm not sure about this mash-up, but something like that. I what them to me gorgeous like and imvu but more cartoon-like, like tale's the walking dead. I like the thin lines on their face's and the fact that they aren't super 3D.
I'd like mine to look more 2D with scratch art like hair.

[Autumnotopia]

Hmm yeah, I think you're getting closer. I feel like I'd maybe try to match the width of the face lines with the width of the hair lines or play around with the line color. The chunky cheek line's an interesting direction, but I feel like compared to the wispy grey hair lines it stands out in a way that doesn't read as intentional.

At this point I think it's mainly just playing around with the style until it clicks. Just keep trying different methods and you'll eventually hit one that's like 'oh, yeah!'.

[morinoir]

my suggestion : make the shading stronger to emphasize his face structure, and rather than using black as accent line on his face, use lighter color closer to his skin color. Look at Spiderverse's Gwen below for reference. Notice how the lines on her face doesn't take away the attention from her face, but rather accentuate it?


And here's the quick edit I applied to your painting. Hope you don't mind.

[beastcarving]

I see what you mean. Thank you all for the advice. I'm going to work on this design some more with all of this new info in mind.