Pixel art is one of those creative endeavors that can either be a breeze or a nightmare to work through. But it doesn’t have to be so daunting – with a few simple steps, you’ll be producing masterpieces in no time.
Whether you’re a budding artist or seasoned pro, learning how to draw pixel art can be a great way to flex those creative muscles. Whilst pixel art may look complex, the basics are actually pretty simple to get your head around. Follow this guide and you’ll be on your way to creating pixel art designs that you can be proud of!
Step One: Choose the Right Platform
The first step in learning how to draw pixel art is to decide what platform you will use. You can use a variety of software, from offline programs like Photoshop to a range of web-based editors. We recommend starting off with something simple and user friendly like Piskel or Pixilart.
Step Two: Set Up Your Document
Once you’ve decided on the platform, it’s time to create your canvas. Select the size of your document, the resolution, and color format. It’s best to go for the highest options here.
Step Three: Choose Your Color Scheme
Pixel art relies on strong colors and visual clarity, so you’ll need to choose a color palette that suits your project. You can use a range of premade palettes, or you can create your own. Keep it simple and consistent.
Step Four: Understand Your Brushes
Now it’s time to start drawing! To make sure your pixel art looks amazing, understanding how your brushes work is crucial. Spend some time getting familiar with the various tools, such as pen brush, line brush, and shape brush, and choose the ones that feel the most comfortable and satisfying to use.
Step Five: Draw the Outline
With your brushes mastered, it’s time to draw the outline. Start by creating a rough sketch of the component shapes, using the lines and shapes you have available, then use the pen brush to create a more detailed outline.
Step Six: Fill in the Details
Go over the outline you’ve created, filling in the details with the color palette you’ve selected. When laying out the color, remember that the more precise and consistent you are with the pixels, the better your design will look.
Step Seven: Create Texture
Now it’s time to make your pixel art look realistic and give them a life-like quality. Apply subtle color changes, and use the same palette to create mesmerizing gradients. You can also add depth by blending two colors and shading objects with darker and lighter tones.
Step Eight: Anticipate and Resolve Issues
No project is ever perfect and the same is true with pixel art. As you draw, you’ll want to start looking for any problems such as inconsistent lines, stretched pixels, and rough edges. Address these issues as soon as you spot them to make sure your final outcome looks great.
Step Nine: Export Your Work
Your pixel art is nearly complete! All that’s left to do is to export your work in the right format. You can pick PNG or GIF, depending on your needs. You’ll be able to set the quality and resolution as you export, so get ready to be wowed when you see the full majesty of your creation!
Pixel art may seem tricky to understand at first, but with a few simple steps and the right platform, you can create incredible digital works of art that you’re proud to call your own. Why not try it out today and see what you can come up with?
Whether you’re a budding artist or seasoned pro, learning how to draw pixel art can be a great way to flex those creative muscles. Whilst pixel art may look complex, the basics are actually pretty simple to get your head around. Follow this guide and you’ll be on your way to creating pixel art designs that you can be proud of!
Step One: Choose the Right Platform
The first step in learning how to draw pixel art is to decide what platform you will use. You can use a variety of software, from offline programs like Photoshop to a range of web-based editors. We recommend starting off with something simple and user friendly like Piskel or Pixilart.
Step Two: Set Up Your Document
Once you’ve decided on the platform, it’s time to create your canvas. Select the size of your document, the resolution, and color format. It’s best to go for the highest options here.
Step Three: Choose Your Color Scheme
Pixel art relies on strong colors and visual clarity, so you’ll need to choose a color palette that suits your project. You can use a range of premade palettes, or you can create your own. Keep it simple and consistent.
Step Four: Understand Your Brushes
Now it’s time to start drawing! To make sure your pixel art looks amazing, understanding how your brushes work is crucial. Spend some time getting familiar with the various tools, such as pen brush, line brush, and shape brush, and choose the ones that feel the most comfortable and satisfying to use.
Step Five: Draw the Outline
With your brushes mastered, it’s time to draw the outline. Start by creating a rough sketch of the component shapes, using the lines and shapes you have available, then use the pen brush to create a more detailed outline.
Step Six: Fill in the Details
Go over the outline you’ve created, filling in the details with the color palette you’ve selected. When laying out the color, remember that the more precise and consistent you are with the pixels, the better your design will look.
Step Seven: Create Texture
Now it’s time to make your pixel art look realistic and give them a life-like quality. Apply subtle color changes, and use the same palette to create mesmerizing gradients. You can also add depth by blending two colors and shading objects with darker and lighter tones.
Step Eight: Anticipate and Resolve Issues
No project is ever perfect and the same is true with pixel art. As you draw, you’ll want to start looking for any problems such as inconsistent lines, stretched pixels, and rough edges. Address these issues as soon as you spot them to make sure your final outcome looks great.
Step Nine: Export Your Work
Your pixel art is nearly complete! All that’s left to do is to export your work in the right format. You can pick PNG or GIF, depending on your needs. You’ll be able to set the quality and resolution as you export, so get ready to be wowed when you see the full majesty of your creation!
Pixel art may seem tricky to understand at first, but with a few simple steps and the right platform, you can create incredible digital works of art that you’re proud to call your own. Why not try it out today and see what you can come up with?
