i did the same thing that lancelot9 did...i'd always just pull up a zone gun file and zoom in hella close and just see how they shaded the weapon...but now im stuck doing zone-style weapons/armor and things...
but i'm only 16 and i dont really draw all the time, like i used to...now that people i know have cars they come pick me up, or i walk to there house (2 miles to go kick it aint a fun walk...
)...so it was kinda hard for me in the begining...expecially since i had no knowledge of pixel art anyways :x