Pixel art is essentially an art form that utilizes small blocks, or pixels, to create images that can be animated or static. It’s mostly prevalent in 2D games, such as retro-style games like Mario and Zelda, or more modern games like Stardew Valley. It’s become so popular that many new games have returned to the pixel art style, making it a valuable skill to possess.
If you want to become a pixel artist, you’ll need to know some basics of graphic artistry. Digital software like Photoshop, GIMP, or Pixel Art Studio can come in handy for workflow purposes. Still, it needs some artistic skills, like understanding composition, color theory, light and shadow, and texture. If you aren’t well-versed with these art concepts, you might consider taking courses in graphic designing, art history, and color theory, or otherwise take online classes and tutorials.
Once you have the fundamental know-how and the tools, it’s rather easy to get started. Learning the software itself is quite straightforward nowadays, and you can find plenty of tutorials online on Youtube or platforms like Patreon. Recently, the Procreate app for the iPad also released a version to create pixel art, which is worth checking out. However, some tips regarding general workflow can help make the process easier.
To begin, start with small projects with horizontal and vertical lines, such as tiles for a game or a sprite for a character. As pixel art is often reduced in size, precise and clean lines are necessary to maintain clarity. In contrast, larger works would pose a considerable burden on the system memory, which can affect the performance of your game.
Another technique is to limit your color palette to fewer hues. Limiting colors can be challenging, as it can cause the art to appear flat or uninteresting. However, mastering a limited color palette can make your art more impactful, giving your artwork a distinctive look, and helping to build your style.
As you improve, take inspiration from other pixel art by other artists. Check the different ways to utilize pixels to create effects like dithering, shading or halftoning, and incorporate them into your workflow. It’s about learning from what has been done and then employing the techniques to create something fresh.
After all, creating pixel art is about challenging yourself creatively, and exploring the particular style of artwork. With every piece, you’ll be increasingly familiar with the style; soon, the process will feel familiar, and you’ll be able to experiment with varying approaches.
Finally, share your art with others. Join a Pixel Art forum, such as Pixel Joint, Way Of The Pixel or the Pixel Art community on Twitter, showcasing your work, and receive feedback from other artists. Exchanging tips and chatting with your peers will be an essential boost to your skills and confidence.
In conclusion, becoming a pixel artist can be a fun and rewarding experience if you have a love for the medium. The bottleneck is not only in the software and tools you use but in mastering the fundamentals and utilizing techniques in the genre. Remember to start small, limit your color usage early on, study other pixel art, and share your stuff with other artists. With these tips, you’ll be on your way to impressing others with your mad pixel art skills.