nullb0x...
I am using Microangelo GIFted* and Microangelo 5.02, which shows me the RGB of each pixel on the smiley.
Actually, for lack of artistic skill, I am using mathematics (my strong suit) and in particular I am extrapolating the RGB from an existing smiley (orange, green, etc.) to get the remaining content where the black was (I built the gray from scratch).
Once I get the "base" color down (which easily takes about three hours to do), it is a rather tedious couple of hours to get the various 24 static and animated smilies put together in Microangelo GIFted.*
I wouldn't recommend this "method" to anyone, because it is kind of a "roundabout" way to go about it...true artists would probably start with a method you describe, but after doing this for a few months now, I feel I have it down to where the shades are pretty smooth and consistent across the color scheme.
*Unfortunately, ImpactSoft (
www.impactsoft.com) is apparently no longer offering this software program...I have an e-mail out to them requesting clarification, because it is an outstanding GIF animator...
[ April 01, 2001: Message edited by: DCS ]