Spriting advices

[Whaat]

not only gimp is enough i use gimp photofiltre and paint.net

Well, you aren't pro spriter. For me, GIMP is enough. And i think i'm little better than you.

[Dominate]

not only gimp is enough i use gimp photofiltre and paint.net

Well, you aren't pro spriter. For me, GIMP is enough. And i think i'm little better than you.

your way better not a little

[Siegvar]

In addition to what I've mentioned in my sig (added another step recently.), I'd add that learning to draw helps alot in spriting. Some basic skill in drawing goes a long way in helping any art related skill, like spriting.

When I want to improve my spriting ability, to catch up or stay ahead of my peers like Luti and Apoc, I practice by doing full sized sketches, drawings, paintings, etc. Then I use what I've learned by improving in those areas, to improve my spriting.

In particular, in the past, Apoc's sprites made me realise how inflexible I was with my proportions, and my weaknesses in dealing with colour. What that hinted to me was to work on my anatomy, and do a lot of painting to improve my perception for colour.
Luti's sketches made me realise how bad I was with expressions, and then I practiced sketching expressions and faces, and then bodily expressions.

So those seemingly unrelated skills eventually helped me improve a lot more than just simply spriting over and over again would have.


As for the discussions on what software like GIMP, PHotoshop, etc, or specific things like blurring and or lighting techniques. Those are just tools. They are there for you to use, in whatever way you can think of. There is no rules to say what you should use or should not use, its all largely a matter of preference, and differs depending on the circumstances.
The most important traits are still Patience and Observation.
The constant struggle for every artist is the ability to see their own creations clearly... spotting its flaws and strengths... and then to persevere in improving their own skill... which takes time and effort.