Need advice/critique on new style...

[Djinn_in_Tonic]

Okay. The Djinn and a friend are thinking of starting a webcomic, and the Djinn is doing the art. Since the Djinn has not done something like this before, and the Djinn does not want to steal Mr. Burlew's style, the Djinn would like some advice on the character style/sketches at this point.

Here are the ones he has finished.

True
(our main character)
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t265/Djinn_in_Tonic/TRUE.png

Gimby "Salt" Foddshingles
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t265/Djinn_in_Tonic/Salt.png

N I L 8
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t265/Djinn_in_Tonic/WARFORGED.png

Manshark the Sharkman
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t265/Djinn_in_Tonic/MansharktheSharkman.png

Any compliments/ideas/advice/critique?

-The Djinn

[Sampi]

Ooh! A new webcomic! Commendable.

First, you are definately not copying mr. Burlew's style with this. That's good. I think a comic drawn in this style would need some getting used to, but it might well work. I do see a couple of difficulties here, though.
The way you draw pants with zigzagging lines seems overly complex for the rest of the style. I can understand that you don't want to use too many curves, but less acute angles would make it easier on the eyes (and easier for you to draw, too). As it is, it seems you're looking for a style by a superfluous detail.
Second, the faces are a bit artificial-looking. By that I mean the noses. The robot looks much better than the other two. Yeah, it will be easier to fidderentiate between characters if they have a nose, but I think you need to simplify there, as well. Generally, I think the lines on the noses and the hair are a bit thin in comparison to the rest of the outline. Thicker lines means more definition, which is good in a webcomic (In My Opinion (TM)).
The eyes are not quite as fine as they could be, but I find it hard to put my finger on the real issue. Maybe yopu need to work on your pupils. Maybe the sideways-widening polygons are not to my liking. Maybe they, too, need more definition. I think you need to experiment with those still.
I like the no neck, no arms thing. Works fine. But I'd use more defined hands, not just circles. After all, you only need to draw a few, then reposition them by rotation, mirroring et cetera. Again, thick lines, more definition.

Good luck on the webcomic!

P.S. I see what made you so busy..

[Djinn_in_Tonic]

Thanks for the advice!

You're right about the hair lines and the hands, and probably the eyes as well (still experimenting at this point). The noses, on the other hand, the Djinn has to work around. He tried them without noses, and the face just looked empty and fairly stupid. Like OOTS if OOTS suddenly decided to be realistically drawn except for the faces. The Djinn didn't like the result.

You're also right about the pants. The points should probably be blunted, but, to be honest, the Djinn thinks that that may be more work than the benefit gives, since inkscape has no point editting tool on it's beziar curve device, and drawing them curved first takes about 10 times as long.

Thanks though. The Djinn has something to think about now.

-The Djinn

[Sampi]

No, I don't mean to take away your noses. Just simplify them a bit.

[Djinn_in_Tonic]

Something like this?

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t265/Djinn_in_Tonic/Salt2.png

EDIT: Threw in Manshark the Sharkman

-The Djinn

[The Prince of Cats]

Not really a criticism, but they look a bit like Miis... (the avatar thingies on the Nintendo Wii)

I like the style; the juxtaposition of the minimalist forms (the missing arms and bold shapes) coupled with the more intricate shading and facial detail make for quite a bold and slightly aggressive style. If this is not what you are going for, then it may be something to ponder...

[Djinn_in_Tonic]

Okay...here we are. The complete main starting character line-up

True
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t265/Djinn_in_Tonic/True2.png

Gimby "Salt" Foddshingles
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t265/Djinn_in_Tonic/Salt2.png

N I L 8
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t265/Djinn_in_Tonic/WARFORGED.png

Grotha Blomberg, the Bardbarian
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t265/Djinn_in_Tonic/Bardbarian.png

Taelar Val'rin
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t265/Djinn_in_Tonic/Trueranger.png

And Finally,

Manshark the Sharkman
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t265/Djinn_in_Tonic/MansharktheSharkman.png

And Prince of Cats? That was the intent. The Djinn is glad it came through. :smallbiggrin:

-The Djinn

[Djinn_in_Tonic]

Continuing the question asking...how are these, emotion wise? Do they successfully carry across some feeling? Anything need to change? Overall opinion?

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t265/Djinn_in_Tonic/True%20Adventures/SaltFaces.png

-The Djinn

[Mr._Blinky]

I like the art style, very different from most comics out there, and I wouldn't worry about copying Mr. Burlew's style. They're stick figures, so there isn't exactly a monopoly on the art. As for the emotions, I think they convey their points pretty well.

[Brickwall]

Feelin' Blue looks too angry.

I liked the original style of nose more.

The pants: in my opinion, have less, but not totally eliminate, the zigzags in the pants. It looks like they're de-rezzing bottum up, or something.

[Copacetic]

It's is a amazing good art Djinn, I swear if you we could get you publizied, you almost take over rich's company

[Djinn_in_Tonic]

:smallbiggrin: Thanks! Although the Djinn would never want to do that. :smallbiggrin:

[Lemur]

Yeah, "feelin' blue" doesn't really convey glumness or sadness. It might be because his eyes are still slanted in a "V" like his normal expressions.

"Yawning" makes the guy look like he's got a Hitler-stache. Why did you move the mouth under his nose, when in every other one, it's down and to the side?

Also, what do the characters look like when scared or nervous?

I like the look of it. The style is unique and conveys the energy and life that lets cartoons resonate with the viewer.