Enter the World of Pixel Art

Pixel Art, once considered a relic of the early days of 8 and 16-bit video games, has made an astounding comeback thanks to a resurgence of retro aesthetics and the rise of the indie game development scene. But video games aren’t the only avenue for this stylish and unique art form. Pixel Art can be found in everything from music videos to advertising to pure, standalone art pieces. Whether you’re an experienced artist seeking to diversify your skills, or a rookie eager to dip your brush (or stylus, rather) into an accessible and satisfying new medium- welcome to Pixel Art!

Learning from the Masters

Befitting an art style born from limitations, Pixel Art thrives under restrictions. One needs to look no further for proof than the annual “Pixel Dailies” challenges conducted on Twitter, where thousands of pixel artists create within specified themes and limitations. Want to grow your skills drastically? The consistent practice and viewing of other’s artworks will be tremendous sources of learning, and these daily challenges offer exactly that.

Unfurling New Techniques

Beyond analyzing and contributing to Pixel Dailies or other online communities, one must build a repertoire of techniques unique to Pixel Art.

Dithering

Dithering in Pixel Art is not to be confused with dithering in digital audio or image processing. It’s a technique used to create gradients, transitions, or textures by interspersing different colors or shades of pixels.

Anti-aliasing

Another technique commonly used in Pixel Art to smooth jagged edges, essentially ‘fooling’ the viewer’s eye into seeing smoother transitions than are actually there. Leveraging this technique, artists can eliminate the ‘blocky’ impression that could arise from individual pixels being visible.

Cel-shading and Delineation

Often used in 3D rendered art/animations and comic illustration, cel-shading gives the impression of cartoon-like, flat areas of color – usually used for dramatic and simplified lighting effects. Delineation, on the other hand, involves using straight lines (whether horizontal, vertical, or at 45-degree angles) and hard edges.

Thinking Outside The Grid: Innovations in Pixel Art

Despite its seeming simplicity, Pixel Art has undergone many evolutions and innovations, creating a diverse and vibrant digital art scene. Here are a few:

Hexels

Defying the notion that Pixel Art has to be confined to a square grid, Hexels is a graphic software that provides the opportunity to work with various shapes, offering a unique perspective on pixel art techniques.

NPA (Non-Pixel-Art)

A wonderful contradiction of terms, NPA pertains to images that are pixelated to appear like Pixel Art but are built with Photoshop effects or 3D models instead of being created pixel by pixel.

Isometric (3D) Pixel Art

Bridging the gap between 2D and 3D, Isometric Pixel Art incorporates three dimensions to add complexity and depth.

As a final wrap, remember as you explore the world of pixel art – each pixel matters, don’t rush it. Experiment and find your pixel language, your style. In Pixel Art, you have the unique opportunity to harness limitation, and wield it not as a shortcoming, but as the forge of your creativity. Master the limitations, push boundaries, and unleash your creativity. Happy pixel-ing!