0

It's always tricky to look for something when what you need is the name. I'm working on a videogame and I'd like to give general instructions for sprites.

This is an example of the style I'm talking about:

enter image description here

The defining traits are:

  • Black outline, often fairly big
  • Flat colors, generally one color by material + one simple layer of shading
  • Lighting only when necessary (shiny surfaces), if so it's one shade and/or white
  • No gradients

You can almost see the graphic tablet pen line sometimes.

Maybe there's a single word or term I'm missing, but I'm not a native English speaker and neither is any of the team members.

Improve this question
2
  • There's not a specific name for everything. There likely isn't a specific name for this "style"
    – Zach Saucier
    Commented Mar 28, 2017 at 20:18
  • @ZachSaucier I know it's not really a style, but using very little colors + a simple shade could have a name. Many animated shows use something similar.
    – Teleporting Goat
    Commented Mar 28, 2017 at 20:31

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
4

If you are starting with a 3d model, then the term would be cel shading. The style emulates cartoons or comic book illustrations.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cel_shading

Improve this answer
2
  • I'm not! It's all 2D. I think I would have referenced the Sly series or Borderlands in that case. Thanks though.
    – Teleporting Goat
    Commented Mar 28, 2017 at 20:26
  • 2
    Its still called cell shading in 2D because thats the name of the method used by hand animators... which obviously is 2D.
    – joojaa
    Commented Mar 29, 2017 at 6:32

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.