🤖 How to make pixel art? Guide to Mastering Digital Art

Do you want to know how to make pixel art? This type of computer-created digital art has been with us for many years. To be more exact, since the 80s, when arcade games began, such as pac-man.

Over time, this type of art was gaining ground until today. In fact, some game creators are adamant about not leaving pixel art aside, a clear example is Minecraft. This famous game still lasts with this format, in fact, there is a game mode that, precisely, is called pixel art.

Nowadays, creating images for pixel art is becoming more and more popular because there is a trend to return to the retro style. This is expanding not only for video games, but also for graphic design.

Therefore, throughout this article we will provide you with the best guidelines so that you can learn to make pixel art. Also, you will know programs for free pixel art, which you can easily find on the internet. However, before we start we want to explain a little more what this digital art is about.

Index

1. What is pixel art?
2. Types of pixel art
3. Pixel art in different fields of design
4. How to make pixel art?
5. Tools to create pixel art
6. Artists that inspire you to create pixel art

Before answering the question “how to make pixel art?”, It is important that you know its concept. Pixel art is considered as digital art generated by pixels. That is, to create a pixel art, several pixels must be joined, which will form a specific image.

Pixel art is a digital work that is based on rasterization, that is, an image that is born from a set of pixels. In general, all editing programs are used to make pixel art. However, there are programs like MS Paint that adapt to the type of pixel art you want to make.

As we already mentioned, there is a greater presence of pixel art in games. However, it can also be applied to paintings or drawings using the pointillism technique. Another form of art that resembles it is cross-stitch, a weaving technique that creates X-shaped points, which form a figure.

Source: Minecraft

Before understanding how to make a pixel art, know what its types are. This way, you will have a better vision of where to start creating pixel art.

There are two types of pixel art:

1) Isometric

This type of pixel art consists of creating angles in each pixel. The purpose is that a three-dimensional projection can be made within a 2D space.

This technique was used by old school video games such as Final Fantasy, Pepsiman, Metal slug, Tarzan, among others.

Source: Giphy

2) Not Isometric

This type of pixel art only projects a plan image within a required space, there is only the length and width. In fact, this method is the most widely used to create easy pixel art.

The first installments of Mario Bross are a clear example of what a true pixel art looks like.

Source: Giphy

Complete your pixel art creations with the Mister Pixel Font typeface. Get it for free here!

Believe it or not, creating pixel art is not only for video games. Although this art began in this industry, over time it managed to expand into multiple sectors of digital art. This increases its demand and the urgent specialization of designers.

Today, we can find pixel art in:

Knowing how to make pixel art allows you to innovate creative solutions to meet new needs. For example, if you are a graphic designer, you can create a line of infographics made with pixel art; This would be your personal stamp and you will attract a lot of attention for future job proposals.

There are many ways of how to make pixel art in different art areas. The market is going to open new places for new projects every time and you must be in the lead. Therefore, to be an expert in pixel art, follow the following tips.

You already have the necessary information to learn about how to make pixel art. To start, you must have a Sprite or templates for pixel art ready where you can capture your creations. Then, you must keep in mind what you want to create, whether it is a landscape, a self-portrait or simply a free art where your imagination flies.

One last step before starting this tutorial for pixel art is to set goals for yourself. This means, from the use of a platform, the tools to use (a wacom), to the colors that you will use throughout your artistic development.

Now yes, you are ready to know how to create a pixel art step by step:

1. Select the program

While below there is a list of the programs that you can access templates for pixel art. Many designers find it easier to create with Photoshop. Whichever tool you choose, they will all lead you to one goal: create your digital art.

Source: Pixilart

2. Choose a tool for yourself or a gadget

Although the mouse or the screen of your cell phone can help you create images for pixel art, it is recommended, but not mandatory, that you have a digitizing tablet or a wacom on hand. This tool will help you create pixel art much faster.

You don’t need to have the latest or most expensive model, just find one that suits you. Any of the graphics tablets will help you start creating pixel art. In case you can’t get it, no problem, you can lean on your mouse.

Source: Medium

3. Choose a base program

One of the basic pixel art programs is Photoshop and Illustrator. For this case, we will do the example in Photoshop, however, the process will not change much in the different programs for pixel art.

The dimensions where you are going to work we leave it to your liking, it will depend on what you already have in mind what you want to create. Once you have the document open, you have to activate the grid view. To activate it, go to the view tab and then show, that way, you will get the grid option.

When activating the grids, they come to you by default, but you can also modify them. You just have to go to the editing tab, select preferences and then check the guides option. In the window that has just appeared, look for the grid section and, in the grid line, enter the number you prefer.

Source: Felgo blog

4. Take your first steps in pixel art

Now that you have everything set up, you can start creating pixel art drawings. Although the size of the image will depend on what you are going to do. We recommend that at most the measurement does not exceed 250 px.

Then, what you should do is select the pencil tool, which should be one pixel in size, and choose the color you prefer to start with. It is advisable to zoom in on each part of the pixel art in which you are going to work.

Now you have everything ready to start creating images for pixel art. This takes many hours of practice. In case you are just starting out, do not feel bad if you do not get what you expected or if you delay in doing it, everything has its time. Practice your pulse with the mouse or wacom to improve your technique.

Source: Concept Art Empire

As we mentioned at the beginning, there are many tools, apart from Photoshop and Illustrator, that help you create this type of digital art. Not only will they help you create pixel art, you can also give it a small animation, as if it were from a video game.

Learn how to make pixel art with free online tools.

1. Piskel

This tool is highly recognized by pixel art artists. Its platform is very easy to use and is quite useful for those who are just starting to create pixel art drawings. Piskelm, allows you to create small animations from frames, so you can make a difference in your creations.

Source: Foro.Today

2. Aseprite

This application also allows you to create pixel art drawings and animations. Aseprite calls its layers of work onionskin. These work like Photoshop and you can draw pictures on another layer.

This tool not only allows you to create images for pixel art, it also adapts easily to the designs of a video game you are making or a mold of a character.

Source: Accentsconagua

3. Draw

This tool is very interesting since it has two functions: the simple form, where only the tools to draw pixel art are provided; and the advanced form, where you can make designs on an image; all this online.

Source: conceptartempire

4. Pickle

While Piclke was created with the idea of ​​creating and designing repeating tiles, over time it added more features and can now form RPG-style backdrops or backdrops, just like old 2D video games. On this, you can also create pixel art images and make animations.

Source: Giphy

5. IDraw Chara Maker 3

This tool is one of the most complete to learn about how to make pixel art. IDraw3 is very easy to use and its export formats adapt quickly to current programs. Also, you can create formats for with the RPG game editor.

Source: rdforos

6. Graphics Gale

This program not only has templates for pixel art, but also works with multiple internal tools that allow you to create a more complete pixel art. Within its platform you can find an infinity of frames, layers, transparencies, alpha channels, among others. It also has an animation section where you can create GIFs.

Source: Dawn gamers blog

One of the processes to learn about how to make pixel art is meeting artists who have already been in this specialization for a long time.

Eboy

They are a collective of digital artists who create urban landscapes in pixel art.

Source: Eboy

Kirokaze

He is a Peruvian creative whose arts are based on science fiction.

Source: Kirozake

Valeriya Sanchill

An artist well known for creating animated pixel art of urban and fantasy scenes.

Source: Valeriya Sanchill

Now you know how to make pixel art on any platform. Remember that this is a job that gets better over time, so don’t give up if it still doesn’t come out perfectly.

You can find an infinite number of free pixel art programs in case you are just starting out. Finally, we know that you can create great pixel art, so we recommend that you perfect your techniques with some specialized courses.