I have over 15 years experience in graphic art and website design graphics. I've created sprite sheets for other game developers.

I suggest getting a hold of Paint Shop Pro X or Photoshop or some graphic editor software. Each program has vector tools to draw smooth lines.

Here is what I personally do, and the result is great everytime:

1. Sketch the character frame you would like to use in the game on paper.
2. Scan the sketched image, and open it in your preferred editor.
2.5 - Resize the sketched image to fit the desired dimensions of your sprite.
3. Using the sketched image as a Background layer, create layers on top for each body part:
>Layer 2: Character head
>Layer 1: Character arm
>Layer 0: Background(sketch)

4. Use the vector tool to draw smooth lines around the edges of each body part.
5. After outlining your character with all vector lines, create new layers behind each body part to Raster color them in:

>Layer 4: Character Head (vector layer)
>Layer 3: Character Head (raster layer) << colors!
>Layer 2: Character Arm (vector layer)
>Layer 1: Character Arm (raster layer) << colors!
>Layer 0: Background(sketch)

Once the sprite looks to your standards, merge each paired layer together by body part. NOTE: -OR- Don't. Merging layers together removes the calculations of the vector lines changing them to raster images but still smooth lines. Rotating raster images later can be sloppy. Rotating Vector images always retains its same style.

The pros using this method:
1. Your character will look exactly how you'd like with smooth edges.

2. The more 'Body Parts' layers you create, the more animations you can create with just one image. Ex: You have a character standing still. You save the sprite as character1.jpg. Then you move the arm, forearm, and hand slightly to start a hand-wave motion. Save the new image as character2.jpg. Repeat and sure enough you just created a full animation of your character.

3. And more...

Cheers!

You can find some free sprites here is you are interested to use them.

Well...
First of all *respect* for the will to take an artist's job while you are being a programmer.

Secondly, if you need hi quality animated sprites for a platformer (even if it was vector art) I suggest you look up an artist (here, or at gfxartist.com or deviantart.com, or indigames.com etc.).

Creating art can be learnt, but I doubt that you'd find a tutorial of "how to create a jumping character sprite sheet). You should learn ART first, and then should only learn the tools (art-package for example) to create them. You can learn any technique to create a lens-flare effected logo from many PS tutorials on the net, but that won't make you an artist. That needs many other knowledges, and a different point of view.

Without an artist you might create something like sunandshadow's trotting horse. Which, imo, would need *lots* of work to be useable (the movement are too wide, and unnatural for example, but we are not here to criticize an old member's sketch :D).

So I think you need an artist!

But it was only my humble opinion... :D

Quote: Original post by isometrixk
I have over 15 years experience in graphic art and website design graphics. I've created sprite sheets for other game developers.

I suggest getting a hold of Paint Shop Pro X or Photoshop or some graphic editor software. Each program has vector tools to draw smooth lines.

Here is what I personally do, and the result is great everytime:

1. Sketch the character frame you would like to use in the game on paper.
2. Scan the sketched image, and open it in your preferred editor.
2.5 - Resize the sketched image to fit the desired dimensions of your sprite.
3. Using the sketched image as a Background layer, create layers on top for each body part:
>Layer 2: Character head
>Layer 1: Character arm
>Layer 0: Background(sketch)

4. Use the vector tool to draw smooth lines around the edges of each body part.
5. After outlining your character with all vector lines, create new layers behind each body part to Raster color them in:

>Layer 4: Character Head (vector layer)
>Layer 3: Character Head (raster layer) << colors!
>Layer 2: Character Arm (vector layer)
>Layer 1: Character Arm (raster layer) << colors!
>Layer 0: Background(sketch)

Once the sprite looks to your standards, merge each paired layer together by body part. NOTE: -OR- Don't. Merging layers together removes the calculations of the vector lines changing them to raster images but still smooth lines. Rotating raster images later can be sloppy. Rotating Vector images always retains its same style.

The pros using this method:
1. Your character will look exactly how you'd like with smooth edges.

2. The more 'Body Parts' layers you create, the more animations you can create with just one image. Ex: You have a character standing still. You save the sprite as character1.jpg. Then you move the arm, forearm, and hand slightly to start a hand-wave motion. Save the new image as character2.jpg. Repeat and sure enough you just created a full animation of your character.

3. And more...

Cheers!

thank for the advice!!!!