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Game Artwork Help - Printable Version

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Game Artwork Help - Estória - 03-10-2026

Hi everyone,

I’m looking for feedback on artwork for part 2 and 3 of my game, Estória.

In the first game I had to learn everything from scratch (programming in Unity, 3D modeling in Blender, rigging of 3D models) and pull out every trick I’d ever learned in animation, illustration, painting, design, etc, so using AI to help with the backgrounds was the only way I could juggle all those tasks at one time. I like how the backgrounds look, but thanks to this awesome community, I’ve come to realize why it’s wrong to rely on it.

I’m planning on replacing part 1 with hand drawn art, but right now part 2 and 3 are forcing their way into my brain and I decided to get started on them while the story and puzzle idea juices are percolating.

Anyway, this is an early test to see if I can hit on a viable, cohesive style. I’m not convinced this is the right one just yet, so I’d like to get feedback from everyone here.

The scenes I’m posting here take place in the tower bedroom of the main character, and in a rundown part of the capital city of Estória, called The Bottoms.

Part 2 and 3 deal with some dark issues that I feel are more relevant than ever to speak out against, for example xenophobia and war, so hopefully I’ll be able to get these projects done.

Anyway, please let me know what you think works or doesn’t work. I’m really open to criticism, so let er rip! I need help! Thanks again, to everyone who has helped me along the way.
[Image: bedroom.png]
[Image: sewer.png]

RE: Game Artwork Help - BobVP - 03-10-2026

It looks like you're really honing your skills!

Honestly, this is pretty good. If you didn't explicitly ask for criticism, I wouldn't knock this, but for the sake of self-improvement:

The black outlines (initial sketches?) are a bit overpronounced. I hope someone with more knowledge can refine this point, but here's how I see it:

The stronger black lines work well as outlines between different elements (the top of the brick wall that seperates it from the buildings), but they're a bit harsh within the elements (seperating individual bricks).

edit: I think they're stones, rather than bricks.. either way, I hope you get my point!

I like that you put some thought into light sources and shading! A lot of AGs simplify or forego the latter, perhaps as a stylistic choice. The style your going for definitely calls for it and I think you do a decent job. If you would like to imrpove on it, you could do a little more to "calculate" the shape, direction and lenght of the shades cast by the light sources. Just writing this gives me a headache; please consider this optional. I can tell you already put a good amount of effort into this and I've seen commercial titles doing way less in this department.

RE: Game Artwork Help - Estória - 03-10-2026

Thank you very much! I agree with you about the outlines. They were bothering me. I want to try out different pen/pencil types that aren't as pronounced.

In part one of Estória I went for a kind of "impressionist" style, trying to imagine what a game like the VGA Quest for Glory 1 or King's Quest 5 would look like if Sierra made them today. My own "style" has always been more sketchy/illustration based and less painterly, so I’m still trying to figure out which direction to go in and how to actually do it.

Great advice about the lighting, too.

Thanks a lot!

RE: Game Artwork Help - CrisGer - 03-12-2026

wow nice start. I do game art myself will check your post more when i have time. Great to start!!!!

RE: Game Artwork Help - Estória - 03-12-2026

Thanks so much for the kind words! I'm still struggling to find the balance of my own "sketch" style and the painterly style I went for in the first game. I'm trying to figure out which combo of brushes, settings, etc etc etc works best. If you've got any advice I'm all for it.

Also I'd love to see some of your artwork. Do you have any games or screenshots?

RE: Game Artwork Help - Piero - 03-12-2026

Nice drawings! Great composition, colours and mood. My only criticisms are that the perspective seems a little flat in places - the shelves; the stairs - and the drawings are a bit dark overall for my taste.

I think the main thing about illustrating an adventure game is that you need to produce the type of drawings that enable you to tell the story in the way you want to tell it, to create the mood, the point of view and the 'flow' that you're aiming for. I would say let the story dictate what the drawings should be and follow your gut with that!

RE: Game Artwork Help - Estória - 03-12-2026

Thank you, Piero, that's great advice! I want to try to do those things (reflect the mood, view, and flow). I've still got a ways to go before I get there...

Thanks again!

RE: Game Artwork Help - Octavi Navarro - 03-12-2026

I don't have any useful criticism to share, I just wanted to say these are excellent! A game with this art would certainly get my attention.

RE: Game Artwork Help - CrisGer - 03-12-2026

hi again, i will post some of my work soon, for general advice, dont feel you have to be overly detailed, good game art was in the earlier days, often gernarized or fairly basic, but with good color and tones and decent drawing which can be achieved by just working at it. you will be fine. Let your story offer you ideas of what needs to be shown. You will need to help the player know what is going on, and what to do next. Puzzles can be hell if they dont have enough info to be solved and same can be said for the overall story of an adventure game.

more soon but will check out your other posts when i have time
Cris

RE: Game Artwork Help - Estória - 03-12-2026

Thank you Octavi! I really appreciate it. It makes me feel a little more confident that I could actually pull this off.

Thank you CrisGer! This is great food for thought. I'm letting it all sink in and sort of "working out" in my head how I see the brushwork vs how to get there with my usual workflow. It's daunting because I'll have to end up making a lot of backgrounds, but I think once I figure out a pattern it'll get smoother.