I suggest typing "tree" in the search text box on the homepage. hundreds of examples.

So basically, give it the irregular shape, shadowing, highlights, etc of a tree you would see in real life. If it doesn't quite look like a tree in all its glory, keep adding shadows until it just looks right.

Still not there.

• The colors are not quite right, at least the blue.
• The treetop is just a ball colored in a way that does not read foliage.
• The trunk is not in proportion to the treetop and perhaps too thick.
• The grass is over pixelled for the tree, which is the focal point.

Google for tree refs like this HERE and search the gallery for trees to see pixelled trees.

I think the biggest issue is that you shaded the trunk and the leaves not only as if they are flat objects, but as if they are the same 3D shape.  A tree trunk is obviously going to be a pretty round object, so the shading will be split into 3 vertical parts.  The skinny bright end where the lightsource is, the fat middle section of a middle brightness, and finally, another skinny section, but dark.  See CELS' tree trunk. 

I think that is hopefully reliable help, I'm not the best at shading either :p

Looking at other examples will only get you so far. As a beginner (like myself), one will only notice a certain number of things by studying the work of others and reference pictures. Some people are more artistic and have better perception than others, but I think everyone benefits more from edits and concrete suggestions than simply looking at examples. Of course, the best is to do all of the above

FrostButt makes a good point about the 3D, but I can understand how it seems confusing. People have recommended that I think in 3D when I draw, which always leaves me wondering "Ok, how?"

The first thing (which has already been suggested) is to try to divide each object into similar 3D objects. For example, a boxy car (like a Volvo stationwagon) is basically a cube, or several cubes, and should be shaded accordingly. A tree is basically a cylinder (the trunk) and a sphere (the foliage), but actually the foliage is made up from several spheres, and actually they're not spheres at all, so you shouldn't draw the foliage like a bunch of grapes. But there are some similarities, so it's useful to visualize that the the top of the tree consists of different chunks, which may cast shadow on each other, etc. Each chunk is perhaps similar to a sphere, so you might want to look up some tutorials on how spheres should be shaded.

Tutorials, tutorials, tutorials. There are a bunch of great ones on here, and learning from them is easier and better than having people like me explain simple things with long and wordy posts like this.


Right now, the tree has a very straight line which separates the bright bit from the shade. This makes it look like the tree consists of two flat surfaces, separated by a sharp edge, much like a box. Which brings us back to the point of thinking in 3D.


Edited by CELS - 11 October 2011 at 5:55pm

Thank you both for the help, I tried to think in 3d while making this:

Thank you for the help Delicious, I hope this is better: 

Yeah, I kinda figured that out when I looked at it, but I needed to work on a research paper, so I just posted it. But I do think the slight rounding in the two branches made a difference.

The trunk is better. The foliage is basically the same.

I'm not sure if you don't understand what I'm suggesting, or if you just disagree with me. But here's a last ditch effort to explain what I mean.

Sorry CELS, I didn't understand what you meant. I'll change it... Edit:

Edited by Andrew-M - 12 October 2011 at 9:40pm

Do you mean I should make sure the tree and grass is the best that it can be? I'm trying to do that, it's hard though.

Edited by Andrew-M - 13 October 2011 at 3:07pm

Edit:

Edited by Andrew-M - 14 October 2011 at 1:26am

1- your current pixel
2- your art with different colors, which are not great, but should illustrate how your much improved update still has a 'definition' problem. Play with colors, look at other's art, experiment until it looks right to you and post.
3- Your art with some editing and 1 color added. Here I broke up the treetop shape just enough so its not a 'ball' The colors here are all chosen so that one of the green shades can be used for AAing the trunk. Sometimes all colors revolve around one single 'key' shade. One extra yellow added to further break the 'ball'
4- Hopefully shows you how a better proportioned *trunk <|> treetop* can completely elevate your piece.


5- Do your own thing, keep your vision. This edit is just a visual comment not a cheat sheet.

By extending the "strokes" like that it looks more like fur rather than leaves. I think that's also because they are too pointy.
That style could work quite well for pinetrees though :P

Thanks for the help seiseki, I made it less pointy:

Edited by Andrew-M - 14 October 2011 at 4:46pm

Thanks for the help Jeremy:

RED- these 2 colors are almost the same in value and level
BLACK- these 2 colors are almost the same in value and level
Since there is enough difference between the 2 greens then its the blue that's the problem.
PURPLE- Find a blue that you like but works with the two greens.

If you just love that blue then adjust all the greens.

Colors are very tough, yes. In pixelart more than normal.
This update is so much better. Do you understand why the blue was not working?

Don't be sorry, silly.


Edited by jalonso - 14 October 2011 at 7:04pm

Yes you can call it contrast but really its more about the value and levels of the colors.

I see you have no avatar. Maybe you can use this as your avatar once its in the gallery