The Masked Spriters sprites of JUSTICE.

[Masked Spriter]

Hello there fair citizens of the internet. My name is Masked Spriter, and I am here... to SPRITE! However, no hero is perfect, which is why I need YOUR help and helpful advice! I have just recently come to terms with my new powers, and I need training and experience to be a True Hero!

Here is my recent trial... Kamen Rider Kabuto sprites!
http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/6163/kabutod.png

Modified by the valiant hero Megaman X(I knew his cousin, Kamen Rider X), Kabuto walks the path of heaven.

His future frames will be added, so hold on, but in the mean time, please, comment, criticize, etc. etc. etc.

EDIT: all works here are for the greater good. If it helps fight for justice, feel free to utilize my work, though credit is nice, and if you don't credit me, I might be forced to hunt you down and SPRITER KICK you and make you 'splode.

[Ukyo]

The mask and eyes look flat, they need more contrast. Also, it will look better if you redraw more of the mask per frame.

[Masked Spriter]

More helmet contrast you say? Fantastic idea! As is making the head more animate. I'll be making those adjustments now, and will update later, great ideas and thanks.

[Cobalt]

I think the biggest problem besides the contrast is the form itself. You seem to be trying to fit in every detail Kabuto has in such a small sprite; you should focus on taking his most noticeable elements and ignore the rest. Also, the horn should probably be longer and in a more T-ish format than the Y-ish it looks like now.

[Masked Spriter]

http://imageshack.us/m/153/1778/kabuto2.png
Here is the updated contrast for the red bits, as well as the third frame having an edited head. I don't think that head is very good, but I can't quite figure out what, so if some pointers on it could be given, that would be tremendous of ya.
As to the other comment, I will try to see what I can do about the horn. as for the details, which would you say are his most important parts(aside from the horn, obviously).

[Masked Spriter]

http://imageshack.us/m/805/3084/kabuto3.png
Alright, I updated The Horn to be longer and more T-shape for the first frame, c+c?

edit:
The orginal shading bugged me on the new horn. Here is a small update
http://img191.imageshack.us/img191/3084/kabuto3.png

[Masked Spriter]

http://imageshack.us/m/848/4126/kabuto4.png
Alright, I edited his idle stance a bit, and thinned his legs and feet a bit.
I will finish the run cycle and do his iconic pose once the details and such are ironed out, however, c+c new pose.

Edit:
Hey, made some more adjustments, tell me what you all think
http://imageshack.us/m/23/1489/kabuto41.png

[Lern]

My eyes are incapable of deciphering the shaping or form of that object. Can you make a single frame of him, but only his outlines? Uncolored, unshaded.

[Masked Spriter]

Here you go. Are you saying that there is too much detail still? What do you recommend?
http://imageshack.us/m/809/481/kabutoframe.png

Edit: Upped the contrast a bit more, in hope of making things clearer. As well as editing the shoulder pad to make it bigger.
http://img706.imageshack.us/img706/659/kabutof.png

[Ukyo]

Now the contrast is too great! Try colors closer together, but not too close.

[Masked Spriter]

OK, is the contrast on this one better?
http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/4796/idlep.png
Also, thanks for taking the time to C+C.
Edit: Also, I would like to know what I have done right(if anything).

[Ukyo]

Make it a tiny bit lighter and it will be good, but the contrast is much much better.

[Masked Spriter]

Ok, here it is slightly brighter, with 3 other frames, with a new side view of the head.

http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/1778/kabuto2.png

[Ukyo]

Oh, much better. The only real complaint I have now is that the body looks a little under-defined (it's hard to tell what everything is).

[Masked Spriter]

Hmm, well what details do you suggest? I treid putting a zecter on his belt, but that didn't really work out. I tried giving the legs the "organic" details, but that als didn't work. I tried Having a hole right below the "v" shape on his horn, but that didn't work either. Do you suggest I say, use more of the silver detailing, perhaps make the kneecaps bigger? Perhaps make the belt in silver,without worrying about the zecter so much?

[Ukyo]

Well, it would help if I could actually see where each joint is it would help.

[Masked Spriter]

Well, is this any better? I added black to show the joints better, hope it help
http://imageshack.us/m/852/1778/kabuto2.png
c+c.

[Ukyo]

Yes, that's alot better.

[Masked Spriter]

Ok, the run frames are finished(or, at least, will be until I think I need they more work).
Here is the sheet itself:
http://imageshack.us/m/88/1778/kabuto2.png
And Here is it animated!
http://i1208.photobucket.com/albums/cc377/Masked_Spriter/Run.gif
C+C as usual, please, I would like to know what mistakes I have made so I could avoid them in the future and fix them in the present.

[rockmaneye]

God, that is nice. Can't see much problems of this. Keepitup.

[Doogles]

Head turns too much too quickly, and it doesn't look smooth. Maybe add a frame to his head turning so it looks better.
The shading on the body is flat, and the shading on the head works I guess but the color choice could be better (Don't use MSPaint defaults, the color editor is your friend)
You could fix the shading on the body/arms/legs/etc by just increasing the contrast between the darkest and lightest shade. I didn't even realize that it wasn't just a flat color until I zoomed in on it in paint.

[Ukyo]

Actually, it would look better if the head stayed turned through the whole run cycle instead of turning back after a couple frames.

[[fish in space]]

this is one of the biggest problems with editing sprites. for starters, the sprite is not very good. the colours are poorly chosen, the head is large and misshapen, and the details are cluttered. but the most glaring issue for me is that none of the character's personality traits are visible in these sprites. kabuto had a cocky, arrogant personality which was clearly visible in the way he moved and fought. your animations show none of that.

[Masked Spriter]

what colors would you recommend for his red and grey? It's hard to show the metallic red with just a few shades.And how could I make the head better? And while I would like to show his cocky, arrogant personality in the way he moves, but I'm not quite sure how, so if someone could gives some pointers on how to edit the run to show that, that would be super. I would like to do the character JUSTICE, so if you all could show me(or point me to some good tutorials) on various subjects I need help on, I would be quite grateful.
I'll try to find some better colors and such, but I am not sure how to improve the face and show his attitude.

[rockmaneye]

Hm... let's see. Let's go over this for a bit.

Colors:

-Green is often a good contrast to red, but not this time. It'd look like some crappy Halloween costume, especially with the limited space.
-Blue and orange, if you'd imagine, scratched out.
-My best recommendation to you is to probably alter the shade of red, or change it entirely. I know it sounds like an overhaul, maybe, but that's probably best to make it contrast well to the dark grey.

Style:

-First off, I'm not exactly sure if your guy can show much of personality with such a strange head that looks like a Karrablast. Not only do we not see his actual eyes (or, unless those visors are actually his eyes, then his pupils...) but every other facial feature we can't see. Therefore, not much expression as far as I can list. I dunno, ask lern or someone.

That's as far as I can help. Eh. I say someone else should help ya if I'm wrong. Which I likely am.

[Doogles]

The MMX1-3 style doesn't really lend itself to showing personality much. It's possible but much easier at higher bittages. If you feel you HAVE to make this dude in a MMX style, go for the X4-6 style. Just a thought.

[Masked Spriter]

@Rockmaneye: I can't really use any colors other then red, dark grey, silverish, and blue eyes, as that is how Kabuto is designed.
Well, no you can't see his facial features, that would be quite odd(unless you're Riderman) when you are wearing his mask. And those blue eyes are supposed to be compound eyes(and quite large), because he is a bugman. Again, it is part of his character design, so it's not like I can give a nose or regular facial features.
@Doogles
Hmm, yeah, I do find a hard time fitting what I want of his design in such a small space with little color. Perhaps I should try a higher bittage.
Edit: and I felt the MMX style would work well considering Heisei era riders wear armor, though they do have thinner legs and arms.