Help me make my FLA not suck

[Nightmare Clock]

So, I figured I'd pop back in and see how all you folks are doing

And I recently reacquired Flash. So, in an attempt to get rid of my ring rust, and maybe get back to making things that aren't offensive to the eyes, I'm going to take a new swing at my FLA (in honor of the 2010 Elm Street)

The first thing I ask is -
should I stick with the sleek and shiny style of the new


Or go back to the old-school, like this?
(holy unfinished sketches, batman!)


I'm asking the opinion of say, if you were to include the FLA in a movie, which would look better. The sleek one is good for being flashy and that kind of thing, but I'm not sure about using it as a constant FLA.

[LimewireClock]

That background sucks. Use more subtle gradients.

[AnkhClock]

Yeah, go with what Clam said, dirty and torn clothes would suit the character more than a sleek and shiny style. The second one is okay, but still to "clean" to really be interesting

That background sucks. Use more subtle gradients.

I don't think the background has anything to do with what he's talking about???

[AstronautClock]

I like the second one best

[LimewireClock]

I like the shading on the first one. However I prefer the hat in the second one.

[AC Slater]

I definitely feel like you could lose the gradients on the .fla. They're a bit overkill.

[Nightmare Clock]

So, in general consensus, the second one's better. Also, the fuckin' background has nothing to do with the FLA it's just an example picture :|

Any ways I could make it look more dirty or torn up? I have a few ideas. But we all know me and ideas (not really )

[WobbuffetClock]

So, in general consensus, the second one's better. Also, the fuckin' background has nothing to do with the FLA it's just an example picture :|

Any ways I could make it look more dirty or torn up? I have a few ideas. But we all know me and ideas (not really )

Well, I actually like the first one better, but to help you make it look dirtier: you should use duller, less saturated colours and maybe add some stains.

[Nightmare Clock]

Well, I went to work, and came up with something a little different.
I finished the glove, made the colors a little dingier and darker,  played around with the shaders I used on the sleek looking one, and even  added some lines to give the body more of a sweater-y feel (currently  debating adding stains or burns to it)

So far, this is what I have with shaders:


This is the same without:


Thoughts?

[DWARFINATORclock]

So you are NightmareClock but you drew FreddyKruegerClock?

[PolyhedronClock]

I'm liking your second one much better, probably because cartoony lines and gradients don't go hand and hand together. Ever consider shading it without using gradients?

[Nightmare Clock]

@Polyhedron
Yeah, I figured I'd give that a try too. It's all very up in the air.

@Dwarfy
I've been NightmareClock since like '03. It's kinda late to point out continuity problems.

[EtchASketchClock]

If you are going to add any sort of wear and tear to your fla, may I suggest you ditch that premade clock and make a freaky one.

Edit: Heres some Google'd inspiration.

[buttplug]

Custom clock is a good idea, they add a lot of character. They are basically the 'face' of your fla.

[Nightmare Clock]

I return again! I haven't decided on an entirely custom clock design per say, but I have experimented a bit.

Since I am 'freddykruegerclock' after all, I thought about a burnt flesh theme for a clock. Something like this:


Only.
Y'know. With a more original (maybe Gothic - as in 15th Century not as in I hate my life) design, and better looking burns.

[DurianClock]

Here I whipped this up real quick.



I believe you are going to have to make a sort of burnt up ball of skin with a little sweater on it, if you plan on passing as a Freddy Krueger/Nightmare on Elm Street type character... otherwise i think you look like a dressed up beach ball or Christmas ornament. ;p