Need Texturing Critique and Advice

[RaustBlackDragon]

Right, so, I decided to make the three textures I need, I was hoping I could have input on the first two, which I think are reasonably okay, and the third one, which I know isn't presentable yet. I'll provide a description of what they're SUPPOSED To look like, in case I'm way worse than I feared :)

A pickaxe with a rough handle-bottom allowing you to light matches without using both hands:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/25139867/matchpick.png

A wider shovel:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/25139867/spade.png

A diamond-edged machete:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/25139867/machete.png

[walker_boh_65]

Its a LOT of trial and error really. It helped me (when don't some changes to MC textures months ago) to continuously play it in the world to see what the blocks looked like it different application, to see if I like them, after each time I made a change. It takes a while, but it really helps you see what it looks like full size.

[Dr. Kylstein]

I would really like to offer advice, but I'm not sure what you're asking for. Just dive in, and we can help with any problems that may come up.

[RaustBlackDragon]

updated the OP with my first attempts. criticize away, as long as your intentions are to improve, not to make me cry :)

[lostone1993]

These two look alright/good
A wider shovel: pretty good I think

A diamond-edged machete: Looks a bit off, not quite sure how to describe it though. I think it may be the handle

A pickaxe with a rough handle-bottom allowing you to light matches without using both hands:Cant tell the difference you have made, without zooming in alot
need to make the end bigger or a strong different colour, not sure though

[Dr. Kylstein]

A pickaxe with a rough handle-bottom allowing you to light matches without using both hands:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/25139867/matchpick.png

A wider shovel:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/25139867/spade.png

A diamond-edged machete:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/25139867/machete.png

Firstly, don't be ashamed to include these with your mod without them being perfect. Critique is about making them great, not about them not being good enough.

On the machete, the best thing to do is find a reference, so use Google Image. I drew a machete from there for my texture pack, so I know you can find a good one.

For the shovel, I think just being wider is too subtle. I think you should also look up a reference here and try drawing a distinct variety of shovel. The essence of the vanilla style is the colors and outlines, I think you can break away from the shapes without confusing anyone.

Now the matchpick is a more difficult thing since as far as I can tell you've invented this one, so here's a concept. I've seen this before on various tool handles: Look at the way the end of that handle juts out. Now imagine it elongated so that an entire ignition patch from a matchbox could be glued to the bottom. As for those diamond tips, make them bigger, they are easy to miss. Always try to avoid single-pixel details.

In general, I would encourage you to try experimenting with some freehand shapes and experimentation, put your imagination in to it, and have fun! Pixel art is a form of expression, don't let the matrix get you.

[FurkeyRefills]

Some constructive criticism for the machete and spade.

Make the diamond stripe for the machete a bit more varied, a block of color in mc just makes it look tacky and thrown together.

The spade would look better i think if the metal bit was slightly shorter.
:)