The ONLY Pixel Art Guide You N

Software & Setup #

• Aseprite: Recommended for its UI, animation tools, sprite sheet/tile set support for games. Costs $20, but an open-source version is available.
• LibreSprite: An older, free, recompiled version of Aseprite.
• Photoshop: Can be configured for pixel art.
• Piscll: A web-based tool for pixel art.

Color Palettes #

• Avoid creating your own colors initially: Focus on drawing fundamentals.
• Lo-spec: Website for pixel art-specific color palettes.
  • Sort by number of colors.
  • Pixel art palettes need more contrast than traditional ones.
  • Look for palettes with at least three shades per color (base, shadow, highlight).
• Aseprite pre-made palettes: Many available to download and set as default.

Outline & Line Work #

• Workflow: Outline, fill with base colors, then shade.
  • Start with construction lines or basic shapes to define proportions and silhouettes.
• Doubles: Unnecessary extra pixels that make pixel art look sharp and chunky due to right angles.
  • Removing them makes art cleaner and more readable.
  • Aseprite's "Pixel Perfect" setting: Toggles off doubles automatically.
  • Intentional doubles can create a retro/bold style, but consistency is key.
• Smooth Lines:
  • Avoid jagged lines.
  • Ensure smooth transitions between pixels.
  • Count pixels and repeat segment lengths for curves, aiming for symmetry.
  • Gradually build up or down the number of pixels in a line.
  • For curves, start with endpoints and fill in to meet in the middle.

Shading & Coloring #

• Three colors per material: Base, shadow, highlight.
• Highlighting/Shading with different colors: Level up coloring by using a different color for highlights/shadows than the base.
  • Analogous colors: Use colors next to the base color on the color wheel for highlights (e.g., orange for red, yellow for green) and shadows (e.g., purple for red, blue for green).
• Light Source: Crucial for effective shading.
  • Pillow shading: Avoid shading by simply wrapping shadows around an outline; it looks bad and unnatural.
  • Consistent light source: Maintain the same light angle across all sprites in a game.
  • Common light source in games: Top of the screen, casting forward and down, illuminating the top and front surfaces.
• Perspective: Consider how much of each object should be visible based on the 3/4 or oblique view common in pixel art games.
  • Maintain consistent visibility of surfaces (e.g., top of a chair and table) even if objects differ in height.

Advanced Shading Techniques #

• Dithering: Creating the illusion of a third color by patterning two colors (often checkerboard).
  • Used historically due to color limitations, now a stylistic choice.
  • Can show texture or break up large shadow areas.
• Anti-aliasing: Smooths or blends lines by placing intermediate colors on corners.
  • Creates a soft, subtle gradient/shadow.
  • Makes pixel art look less "pixely" and more polished.

Outline Styling #

• Outline color: Doesn't have to be black.
  • Darker version of object's color (e.g., dark green for plants).
  • Stylized colors (e.g., bright purple for a dreamlike style).
• Inconsistent outline styles for focus:
  • Outline only interactable objects or players to make them stand out.
  • Can guide the player's eye and give a game identity.
  • Consider your favorite pixel art games and how they use outlines.
• Shading the outline: Vary outline color based on light source (lighter on lit side, darker on shadowed side).
• Outline size/presence:
  • Thick outlines (early Tinkerlands).
  • No outlines (Hyper Light Drifter) – requires defined shapes and contrasting values for readability.

Miscellaneous Tips #

• Too many colors: Avoid using excessive shades of the same color; it creates noise and reduces boldness/simplicity.
• Use references: Essential for accuracy.
  • Pinterest is recommended over Google Images due to less AI content.
• Zoom out frequently: Crucial to see how art looks at its intended display size, especially for small game characters.
  • Aseprite: F7 for preview window.
• Love the process, not just the outcome: Motivation comes from enjoying the act of creating art itself, not just the finished product. This helps overcome early learning struggles.

Summary: This video serves as a comprehensive guide to pixel art for beginners to advanced artists, particularly those making games. It covers essential software like Aseprite, emphasizes using pre-made color palettes from resources like Lo-spec, and provides detailed techniques for clean line work, including managing "doubles" and creating smooth curves. The video then delves into effective shading by stressing the importance of a consistent light source and avoiding "pillow shading." Advanced artistic choices like dithering, anti-aliasing, and varied outline styles are explored to enhance visual appeal and player guidance in games. Finally, miscellaneous tips include avoiding too many colors, using references, regularly zooming out during creation, and fostering a love for the artistic process itself to maintain motivation.