diff --git a/1d.-Fish%2C-Creature%2C-and-Journal-Art.md b/1d.-Fish%2C-Creature%2C-and-Journal-Art.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..af8d442 --- /dev/null +++ b/1d.-Fish%2C-Creature%2C-and-Journal-Art.md @@ -0,0 +1,181 @@ +# Fish, Creature, and Journal Art + +This page covers fish portraits, creature sprites, journal thumbnails, and larger collection illustrations. + +## Style goal + +Fish and creatures should be recognizable, charming, and species-specific without becoming realistic scientific plates. + +Prioritize: + +- Body silhouette +- Fin shape +- Tail shape +- Major markings +- Distinctive colors +- Recognizable anatomy +- Strong direction and pose + +Simplify: + +- Individual scales +- Fine fin rays +- Tiny anatomical details +- Subtle realistic color transitions +- Complex surface texture + +## Reference style + +The visual references use: + +- A limited palette per creature +- Selective dark outlines +- Small bright highlights +- Flat or lightly shaded body regions +- Exaggerated fins or identifying features +- Clean transparent backgrounds +- Side or top-down views depending on the creature +- Enough detail for species recognition without realism + +## Thumbnail and large-art relationship + +Fish may appear in: + +- Collection grids +- Cooler cards +- Shop lists +- Catch showcase panels +- Journal detail panels +- Promotional graphics + +The issue should clarify whether the contribution requires: + +- One source image reused at several sizes +- A dedicated thumbnail +- A dedicated larger journal illustration +- Several directional views +- Animation frames + +A large illustration may not reduce cleanly into a thumbnail. Dedicated thumbnail cleanup may be required. + +## Suggested sizes + +Provisional defaults: + +| Use | Suggested size | +|---|---:| +| Small collection thumbnail | 64 × 48 or 64 × 64 | +| Cooler or shop thumbnail | 64 × 64 | +| Journal detail art | 192 × 128 or 256 × 192 | +| Large catch presentation | 256 × 192 or larger if specified | + +Issues should provide exact dimensions. + +## Orientation + +Use a consistent orientation within a category. + +Common fish may generally face left or right consistently. + +Do not flip text-bearing, asymmetrical, or anatomically important art without checking. + +Top-down creatures such as turtles may use a top view when that best communicates the animal. + +## Anatomy and exaggeration + +Reference real anatomy, then simplify it. + +Good exaggeration includes: + +- Larger identifying fins +- Stronger body taper +- Clearer stripes +- Larger claws +- More readable shell sections +- Simplified barbels or tentacles + +Avoid turning different species into the same body shape with new colors. + +## Palette + +Each creature should use a controlled palette. + +Typical structure: + +- Main body color +- Secondary body color +- Shadow +- Highlight +- Dark edge or outline +- One or two marking colors + +Rare species may use stronger accent colors, but should still fit the project palette. + +## Highlights + +Highlights should be small and graphic. + +Good: + +- Short cream streak +- Small white cluster +- One bright edge +- A few reflective scale marks + +Avoid: + +- Large smooth glossy gradients +- Airbrushed shine +- Plastic-looking full-body highlights + +## Transparency + +Creature art should normally use a transparent background. + +Remove: + +- Stray pixels +- White halos +- Reference backgrounds +- Unintended semitransparent edges + +## Scientific names and text + +Do not bake names, labels, rarity, weight, or scientific information into the creature image. + +Godot UI will display text separately. + +## Rarity variants + +Do not recolor an existing fish to represent rarity unless the game design explicitly defines that as a variant. + +Rarity indicators belong in the interface unless the creature itself is a distinct variant. + +## Source organization + +Suggested layers: + +- outline +- highlights +- markings +- body +- fins +- shadow +- reference + +References must not appear in the export. + +## Deliverables + +Include: + +- Editable source +- Exported PNG +- Native dimensions +- Creature name +- View direction +- Palette +- Thumbnail preview +- Larger journal preview where required +- In-game screenshot +- Related issue number \ No newline at end of file