Petrean Kin is my new work in progress 32x32 texturepack. The cobblestone and stonebrick textures were the first ones I created, they were made to use crazy colors that you would never think to put into a stone texture. Somehow the strange color choices and style came together to make something that looked good and was unique. All my other textures were made to complement the cobble and stonebrick, by including similar colors put together in unusual ways. After having abandoned Petrean Kin for a while I have come back to it with better texturing skills and I decided to start from scratch with the same theme in mind. I am now creating textures in 24 by 24 resolution, and I am using a combination of brushes and pixel art. Enjoy!
Screenshots
Also check out Alvoria's texture pack Sanity. He's helped me to improve a lot and his texturing skills are epic.
I've been working on a new resource pack for a while now. I have a handfull of textures that I am pretty happy with. I wasnt sure how to display them so I got this imgur album to see. http://imgur.com/a/TDSBA#0 I'd love to get some feedback, this is my first texture pack.
Interesting. Nice warm color pallet. Decent shading. Yea... that's not bad.
Two things: In-game screenshots are appreciated. It shows us what your work looks like in the environment it will be viewed in. It also helps detect problems like...
I think that there are some pattern problems in some of your tiles. I could be wrong since I haven't seen them in-game. A good example of this is Stone Brick which has that one row of tiny stones. I can't help but think that this will stand out quite significantly. If this is what you were going for, fine, but I think it'll be distracting.
Anyway, nice first look.
Oh... and you can post images directly into the forum. For example:
Interesting. Nice warm color pallet. Decent shading. Yea... that's not bad.
Two things: In-game screenshots are appreciated. It shows us what your work looks like in the environment it will be viewed in. It also helps detect problems like...
I think that there are some pattern problems in some of your tiles. I could be wrong since I haven't seen them in-game. A good example of this is Stone Brick which has that one row of tiny stones. I can't help but think that this will stand out quite significantly. If this is what you were going for, fine, but I think it'll be distracting.
Anyway, nice first look.
Oh... and you can post images directly into the forum. For example:
Yea, now that I see them in game some of the patterns are really obvious.
The worst is the cobblestone with those little dark stones. They form a nasty grid when tiled that makes them stick out.
Besides that, you have a lot of obvious shapes that repeat over and over again. One of the trick with making textures that tile naturally is making sure no one part of it stands out. With cobble, you have those little dark stones. In your stone brick, you have a row of small stones. With the stone you have definite shapes: a heart shaped stone, a round stone, an oddly shaped stone, and a... *cough*... male shaped stone. It's real easy to track these unique shapes when they're tiled like that.
Also, you might want to smooth out your planks. When I first looked at it I went "Wait... three colors of tilled soil? :huh:" That's not the reaction you want, I'm afraid.
I still like the color choices and the rough pixilated shading. You've got your technique down, but you need to work on your layouts.
Keep going. I think I'll enjoy seeing where this pack ends up.
Thanks for the feedback, ive basically had to teach myself how to do this kind of pixel art so its nice to have someone to critique me. I slightly modified the wood planks to make them look a bit flatter and less like tilled soil(hopefully). I also redesigned the stone brick so it looks better when tiled, and it has more color in it. It looks much better(in my opinion). Heres the images.
new wood planks
stone brick
Next I'm going to work on revising the smooth stone. I never really could get it to look smooth like I wanted it to, it always comes out looking sorta like cobblestone to me. Do you have any tips specifically for making that kind of texture?
Thanks for the feedback, ive basically had to teach myself how to do this kind of pixel art so its nice to have someone to critique me. I slightly modified the wood planks to make them look a bit flatter and less like tilled soil(hopefully). I also redesigned the stone brick so it looks better when tiled, and it has more color in it. It looks much better(in my opinion). Heres the images.
The brick in the bottom center position looks darker than the rest. When it tiles in game, that's going to stand out. But other than that, it looks good.
I'd love to see the planks tiled in-game with the new design. It looks much better, but to really tell I need to see it in its native environment.
Next I'm going to work on revising the smooth stone. I never really could get it to look smooth like I wanted it to, it always comes out looking sorta like cobblestone to me. Do you have any tips specifically for making that kind of texture?
The best tip I can give for a lot of textures is to actually examine the object you're making. If possible, go find a big rock and stare at it. I know that sounds silly, but it's quite true. Touch it with your hand and feel where the variations and bumps are... and then translate that to your art.
I redid the stone, and it looks a lot smoother this time. Less obvious shapes too. I got some screenshots for the stone and other recently updated textures, and some pics of a village. I've been considering removing the different colored stones in the cobblestone and stone brick but I think they would look a bit bland without them. If it really looks that bad I guess I can...
I redid the stone, and it looks a lot smoother this time. Less obvious shapes too.
Not really. Especailly for the ores, there's still that one HUGE stone that tracks very easily. Not good. It's way better on the smooth stone, though, because you don't have the high contrast there. You could probably get away with your smooth stone. But for the ores, you need to do something different.
I think what part of the problem is, is that your ores look more like what cobblestone should look like. Right now it feels like you have a bunch of stones embedded in technicolor mortar rather than there being a gem or metal embedded in the stone.
If I may make a suggestion: Try putting a darker tone, like some of the darker stones in your cobble, where the colored sections of the ore are. Shade that like stone, and then use that as your cobble texture. Then, take your ores in a different direction - Either have the gem/metal inside cracks in the surface of the stone, or else protruding out from the surface.
Sorry if I seem like I'm butting in and telling you how to make your pack. It's just that there's enough promise here that I'd hate to see this pack get lambasted for having really awful tiling problems. Tiling is a hard thing to get down. To make a pattern seamless and appear not to have a pattern when one truly does exist... this is a skill that even the best texture artists struggle with from time to time. You'll get it if you keep at it!
Not really. Especailly for the ores, there's still that one HUGE stone that tracks very easily. Not good. It's way better on the smooth stone, though, because you don't have the high contrast there. You could probably get away with your smooth stone. But for the ores, you need to do something different.
I think what part of the problem is, is that your ores look more like what cobblestone should look like. Right now it feels like you have a bunch of stones embedded in technicolor mortar rather than there being a gem or metal embedded in the stone.
If I may make a suggestion: Try putting a darker tone, like some of the darker stones in your cobble, where the colored sections of the ore are. Shade that like stone, and then use that as your cobble texture. Then, take your ores in a different direction - Either have the gem/metal inside cracks in the surface of the stone, or else protruding out from the surface.
Sorry if I seem like I'm butting in and telling you how to make your pack. It's just that there's enough promise here that I'd hate to see this pack get lambasted for having really awful tiling problems. Tiling is a hard thing to get down. To make a pattern seamless and appear not to have a pattern when one truly does exist... this is a skill that even the best texture artists struggle with from time to time. You'll get it if you keep at it!
Thanks for the suggestions. I'm glad I have someone telling me these problems before I get too far into it. I will rework the ores and see what I can come up with. I think I also have a texture for jungle wood I like, I will put it in the next screenshot along with the new ores.
I havnt revised the cobble yet but I changed the smooth stone so it doesnt have the giant stone in the center, and I revised all the ores. I might add more detail to them later. You can also see the jungle wood which is basically wavy oak wood at the moment. I am going to change the color to something different than oak wood, this is just a first look at that texture.
I havnt revised the cobble yet but I changed the smooth stone so it doesnt have the giant stone in the center, and I revised all the ores. I might add more detail to them later. You can also see the jungle wood which is basically wavy oak wood at the moment. I am going to change the color to something different than oak wood, this is just a first look at that texture.
Yea, that's definitely better.
I think a few people might complain that the ores are difficult to see since there's so little 'ore' present, but I don't personally think it's a problem.
The stone has obvious rows... but it's unoffensive enough that I don't feel it's an issue. As you get better you'll probably start to see where patterns crop up and will want to deal with them... but until then this is acceptable.
Your brick texture still has those dark bricks that stick out like a sore thumb. If you want to do something like that, make every brick a slightly different color so that no one of them really stands out.
I won't mention the cobble this time since you said you're working on it.
Besides that, though, the other big problem is the dirt. It looks too chunky, more like a pile of large stones than soil. This is another instance where it's beneficial to go outside and actually look at dirt. Pick some up and notice the tiny variations. Notice how it feels in your hand and translate that tactile sensation to your texture art. Or, at least, lower the contrast. The texture suffers from the same problem as your ores did - it looks like stones stuck into a dark substance rather than being one single material.
The jungle planks look pretty good. There's a pattern, but it's irregular enough that it's difficult to track. I agree that it needs a different color, though, so I'm looking forward to seeing what you choose.
Keep going. This pack gets better with every update.
Thank you so much! Your last suggestion about how to make the stone brick "If you want to do something like that, make every brick a slightly different color…" was perfect! I got a texture thats exactly what I was going for, and it doesnt seem to have the same problems as the current one. I'm about done for the day so I will post a screenshot tomorrow when I got dirt revised and the jungle planks recolored as well.
Thank you so much! Your last suggestion about how to make the stone brick "If you want to do something like that, make every brick a slightly different color…" was perfect! I got a texture thats exactly what I was going for, and it doesnt seem to have the same problems as the current one. I'm about done for the day so I will post a screenshot tomorrow when I got dirt revised and the jungle planks recolored as well.
Cool. I love when I do that. Can't wait to see what you've accomplished.
I have recolored the jungle planks so it has a bit of a greenish tinge to it. I might change that again, im not sure if I like the color or if I want to go with something a bit different. I put black wool where the cobble is because I am in the process of revising it. I will probably work with the dirt a bit more but I lowered the contrast for now. As you can see with the stone brick I made every brick a slightly different color as you suggested. My stone bricks do look a bit funky compared to stone bricks in most texture packs, but I think its kinda cool. I included a screenshot of a castle built with stone brick so you can see how it might look in a larger build.
I have recolored the jungle planks so it has a bit of a greenish tinge to it. I might change that again, im not sure if I like the color or if I want to go with something a bit different.
It's up to you. In vanilla, jungle planks are more red/pink. It would also fit well into your warm color scheme better. Then again, it's good to have something a bit different here and there for people to use, and green jungle wood actually fits well imo. As I said, it's up to you.
I will probably work with the dirt a bit more but I lowered the contrast for now.
One thing that I noticed before, and that I'm really noticing now, is that along the edges of the tile you have a bunch of bumps that line up into a perfect grid. I wasn't sure how distracting it would be but, yea, it's pretty bad. These are the kinds of pattern errors you need to learn to avoid, I'm afraid.
Don't worry, you're getting better. Case in point...
As you can see with the stone brick I made every brick a slightly different color as you suggested. My stone bricks do look a bit funky compared to stone bricks in most texture packs, but I think its kinda cool. I included a screenshot of a castle built with stone brick so you can see how it might look in a larger build.
This is by far one of the coolest stone brick textures I've seen. I love your color choices and the subtle variation between them. There's still a pattern to pick out, but it's so well disguised so it's in no way an issue. Very, very well done.
I agree. It's so rare that I see a pack that starts with great potential but less than stellar execution progress so quickly towards being truly excellent. I feel that this might be a long road, but I'm so psyched about the pack that awaits us at the end that I can't help but look forward to the journey!
I think I have a better version of the cobblestone now. I also redid the dirt from scratch. I think it tiles a little better. To be honest I'm still not too happy with it, I'm as good as dirt when it comes to drawing dirt. I also made mossy stonebrick texture. It may need a bit more moss, not sure.
I think I have a better version of the cobblestone now.
I... Hmm...
I'm not sure whether I like it or not, to be honest. The problem is I can't quite put my finger on what's wrong with it. I think... too much of the orange mortar? Hmmm... Not sure. It just strikes me as being off some how. Sorry I'm not more help on this one.
I also redid the dirt from scratch. I think it tiles a little better. To be honest I'm still not too happy with it, I'm as good as dirt when it comes to drawing dirt.
I see what you did there.
But in all honesty, I think this is a pretty significant improvement. It's still really 'chunky', but for this pack that isn't necessarily a had thing. I'd honestly say keep it, but if you feel you can do better then give it a try. As a favor to yourself, though, make a backup of this version before you fuss with it too much.
I think maybe the problem with the cobble is that all the stones are too rounded, I will try to make them shaped different and see if its better. I also have two possible textures for the mossy cobble that are more mossy than the first one. I will put them in a screenshot later. I am thinking of making grass next. That will be the hardest texture for me to make. I'm horrible at grass, every time I make it, it looks like a green mess. Wish me luck.
I am thinking of making grass next. That will be the hardest texture for me to make. I'm horrible at grass, every time I make it, it looks like a green mess. Wish me luck.
Yea, I hear you.
I don't believe in luck, but I wish you blessings upon your texturing none the less.
Two things: In-game screenshots are appreciated. It shows us what your work looks like in the environment it will be viewed in. It also helps detect problems like...
I think that there are some pattern problems in some of your tiles. I could be wrong since I haven't seen them in-game. A good example of this is Stone Brick which has that one row of tiny stones. I can't help but think that this will stand out quite significantly. If this is what you were going for, fine, but I think it'll be distracting.
Anyway, nice first look.
Oh... and you can post images directly into the forum. For example:
makes:
See?
When you get some in-game screens, please do this with your images so that it's easier for us to see them. Thank you.
Thanks for the feedback, I'm not sure I'm happy with how the stone brick came out anyway. I might just redo that texture from scratch.
The worst is the cobblestone with those little dark stones. They form a nasty grid when tiled that makes them stick out.
Besides that, you have a lot of obvious shapes that repeat over and over again. One of the trick with making textures that tile naturally is making sure no one part of it stands out. With cobble, you have those little dark stones. In your stone brick, you have a row of small stones. With the stone you have definite shapes: a heart shaped stone, a round stone, an oddly shaped stone, and a... *cough*... male shaped stone. It's real easy to track these unique shapes when they're tiled like that.
Also, you might want to smooth out your planks. When I first looked at it I went "Wait... three colors of tilled soil? :huh:" That's not the reaction you want, I'm afraid.
I still like the color choices and the rough pixilated shading. You've got your technique down, but you need to work on your layouts.
Keep going. I think I'll enjoy seeing where this pack ends up.
new wood planks
stone brick
Next I'm going to work on revising the smooth stone. I never really could get it to look smooth like I wanted it to, it always comes out looking sorta like cobblestone to me. Do you have any tips specifically for making that kind of texture?
I'd love to see the planks tiled in-game with the new design. It looks much better, but to really tell I need to see it in its native environment.
The best tip I can give for a lot of textures is to actually examine the object you're making. If possible, go find a big rock and stare at it. I know that sounds silly, but it's quite true. Touch it with your hand and feel where the variations and bumps are... and then translate that to your art.
I think what part of the problem is, is that your ores look more like what cobblestone should look like. Right now it feels like you have a bunch of stones embedded in technicolor mortar rather than there being a gem or metal embedded in the stone.
If I may make a suggestion: Try putting a darker tone, like some of the darker stones in your cobble, where the colored sections of the ore are. Shade that like stone, and then use that as your cobble texture. Then, take your ores in a different direction - Either have the gem/metal inside cracks in the surface of the stone, or else protruding out from the surface.
Sorry if I seem like I'm butting in and telling you how to make your pack. It's just that there's enough promise here that I'd hate to see this pack get lambasted for having really awful tiling problems. Tiling is a hard thing to get down. To make a pattern seamless and appear not to have a pattern when one truly does exist... this is a skill that even the best texture artists struggle with from time to time. You'll get it if you keep at it!
Thanks for the suggestions. I'm glad I have someone telling me these problems before I get too far into it. I will rework the ores and see what I can come up with. I think I also have a texture for jungle wood I like, I will put it in the next screenshot along with the new ores.
I think a few people might complain that the ores are difficult to see since there's so little 'ore' present, but I don't personally think it's a problem.
The stone has obvious rows... but it's unoffensive enough that I don't feel it's an issue. As you get better you'll probably start to see where patterns crop up and will want to deal with them... but until then this is acceptable.
Your brick texture still has those dark bricks that stick out like a sore thumb. If you want to do something like that, make every brick a slightly different color so that no one of them really stands out.
I won't mention the cobble this time since you said you're working on it.
Besides that, though, the other big problem is the dirt. It looks too chunky, more like a pile of large stones than soil. This is another instance where it's beneficial to go outside and actually look at dirt. Pick some up and notice the tiny variations. Notice how it feels in your hand and translate that tactile sensation to your texture art. Or, at least, lower the contrast. The texture suffers from the same problem as your ores did - it looks like stones stuck into a dark substance rather than being one single material.
The jungle planks look pretty good. There's a pattern, but it's irregular enough that it's difficult to track. I agree that it needs a different color, though, so I'm looking forward to seeing what you choose.
Keep going. This pack gets better with every update.
One thing that I noticed before, and that I'm really noticing now, is that along the edges of the tile you have a bunch of bumps that line up into a perfect grid. I wasn't sure how distracting it would be but, yea, it's pretty bad. These are the kinds of pattern errors you need to learn to avoid, I'm afraid.
Don't worry, you're getting better. Case in point...
This is by far one of the coolest stone brick textures I've seen. I love your color choices and the subtle variation between them. There's still a pattern to pick out, but it's so well disguised so it's in no way an issue. Very, very well done.
I agree. It's so rare that I see a pack that starts with great potential but less than stellar execution progress so quickly towards being truly excellent. I feel that this might be a long road, but I'm so psyched about the pack that awaits us at the end that I can't help but look forward to the journey!
I'm not sure whether I like it or not, to be honest. The problem is I can't quite put my finger on what's wrong with it. I think... too much of the orange mortar? Hmmm... Not sure. It just strikes me as being off some how. Sorry I'm not more help on this one.
I see what you did there.
But in all honesty, I think this is a pretty significant improvement. It's still really 'chunky', but for this pack that isn't necessarily a had thing. I'd honestly say keep it, but if you feel you can do better then give it a try. As a favor to yourself, though, make a backup of this version before you fuss with it too much.
Yea, definitely more moss. It's kinda hard to tell apart from the regular at a distance.
Cool. I look forward to seeing it.
Yea, I hear you.
I don't believe in luck, but I wish you blessings upon your texturing none the less.