Satoshi Matrix Bead Sprites

[Satoshi_Matrix]

Limewater, the pegboards are 29x29, but can be linked together for very large projects. Some beadspriters work in sections, but I never do as it ruins the overall look as you can't garuntee you'll iron everything evenly if you do it in many parts. The giant Protoman for instance, took 24 pegboards. The other issue is ironing paper of that size isn't easy to come by, so I have to substitute parchment paper, which doesn't work quite as well as its much more heat resistant than the proper ironing paper needed. Large ones are a pain.

Thanks Gnashvar. I liked that one too.

[Satoshi_Matrix]

Dracula, from Castlevania 3.

[Bradtemple87]

Thats legit!

[sevin0seven]

Dracula, from Castlevania 3.

my childhood arch-enemy!

[Satoshi_Matrix]

I've been asked about how I choose coloring for my sprites.

I have about 170 possible bead colors. NES sprites typically work in only around 20~25 color range, making them easy to pinpoint. 16-bit colors are more difficult to match, and 32-bit sprites are near impossible. All that said, I have learned to place colors that fit best in many situations. My sprites are never color-inaccurate. When I first started to make sprites, I would work solely in the NES pallet, but as time went on I started to base the sprite coloring not on system limitations, but rather on character artwork. Here's an example of what I mean.



Here are two sprites I made of Toadman from Megaman 4.

The one on the left is a recreation of the sprite as seen on the NES, using the four colors the NES rendered the sprite in.

The sprite on the right is based on the Toadman official character artwork coloring.

I can do both, but I much prefer to make sprites based on the character art when possible.

[Satoshi_Matrix]

Here's an extremely large project I've cooked up from one of my favorite games of all time.



X, from Megaman X1 (SNES)

"You are X - it is a variable. It represents limitless potienal. You see, you are a new type of robot, who can think for himself. You truly are just like us humans, X.. that's why I'm afraid mankind is not yet ready to accept you. We are not yet mature. They may very well view your limitless evolutionary potential as something to be feared. The name X also carries contentions of danger. I'm sorry X...I didn't have enough time to see you enter the world. I've given you the power to think, to worry, to grow and evolve as you fight. But......it is too soon for that power to be unleashed. X, I want you to use that conscious of yours to help the people of the future. They will need someone like you to guide them. Farewell X...you are the world's one, true hope."

-T. Light, September 18 20XX.

X stands about 4 1/2 feet tall, and has well over 8000 beads. I don't remember the exact amount. this took about 3 months to complete.

[Bradtemple87]

That looks like some serious manhours!

[Satoshi_Matrix]

that would be putting it mildly

[Bradtemple87]

I bet!

[Satoshi_Matrix]

Since I've only made a very small handful of Pokemon sprites, I thought I should try my head at making one of the popular monsters. I thought of which one I should do, then thought I should do one of my favorites. Basing my choice by the fact that I have a LOT of surplus green beads I thought I should do a grass or bug type. I choose Exeggutor because I always really liked it.

Then it was a simple matter of figuring out which sprite to use, and then I remembered how laughably bad the sprites are from the original set of games. Looking over the RBY sprite, I instead chose to do the Green sprite. Boy what good detail!



Having done a Pokemon sprite by *gasp* sticking to the original 4 color pallet, I gained a real appreciation for how much work Pokemon sprites are.

I took this pic on the pegboards because after making it, I thought of something else to reuse the green beads on. Stay tuned for that!