Pixel art is an art form that takes its inspiration from early computer and video game imagery. It involves creating images using pixels, which are tiny squares of a single color that make up a larger image. Unlike a painter who can use broad strokes, a pixel artist must focus on the placement of every single unit in their image. Recreating classic pixel art can be a painstaking process. However, following the pixel path of another artist can be enlightening.
How to Make Pixel Art in Photoshop
So, how does one get started with creating pixel art? Well, it's simple. Beginners can start by deciding on what resolution they want to emulate, choosing a size for their pixels, creating a grid, and start placing pixels. Unlike what some may think, pixel art is easy to learn, and once basic techniques are mastered, there is no limit to the amount of command one can have over the art form.
Adobe PhotoshHow to Make Pixel Art in Photoshopop and Adobe Illustrator are both popular tools used to create pixel art. Adobe Photoshop is the best tool for creating pixel art because of its many features.
- You can use the ‘Pencil Tool’ to draw pixel art images.
- Before creating pixel art, you will need to create a new file in Photoshop with a canvas that is 32 x 32 pixels in size. To design your pixel art image well, you need to remain in this resolution.
- Once you have everything set up in Photoshop, there are two main settings you need to change when creating pixel art.
- The first one is the ‘Image Interpolation’ which should be set to Nearest Neighbor to preserve the hard edges of your pixel art when resizing or zooming in. The second one is the grid, which helps you place your pixels correctly.
Nowadays, there is a wide range of pixel editors available, including some free ones such as GraphicsGale and Aseprite. With these tools, you can create art for anything from retro-style PC games like Shovel Knight and Enter the Gungeon, to indie mobile titles like Flappy Bird and Crossy Road.
When it comes to career prospects, making a pixel art career is fairly niche, but communities like Behance allow artists to share their work, and various game design firms are always looking to hire artists with pixel art expertise. Video games are the primary industry for pixel art, and the medium finds itself referenced in games such as Final Fantasy, Super Mario World, Kirby, Pokémon, Pac Man, and many more.
The important thing to remember is that making pixel art is about having fun while using the medium to create something pleasing to the eye. Now that you know the basics, where do you go from here? The next step is to learn how to scale up your pixel art images for video games and promotional art using Photoshop. One can find tutorials online, to learn about more advanced techniques. The limit is only as far as your imagination can take you.
Questions you might be asking
How do you do pixel art in Photoshop?
To do pixel art in Photoshop, you can manually set up a new document with small dimensions and zoom in to get the perfect pixel look. You can also use the Pencil tool to draw individual pixels in the document.
What tool is used to make pixel art in Photoshop?
The Pencil tool is the best tool for creating pixel art in Photoshop. Using this tool, you can draw individual pixels on your document, giving you full control over the art piece.
What size is pixel art Photoshop?
Pixel art Photoshop can be any size, but typically artists work with very small dimensions. Working with small dimensions allows for greater control over each pixel in the piece, resulting in a cleaner image.
How do I convert an image to pixel art?
To convert an image to pixel art, you'll need to use a photo editor that can turn your image into a pixelated version. One way to do this is to use a pixel art plugin for your photo editor that will convert your image into a pixel art version. Another way is to manually re-create the image in Photoshop using the Pencil tool to draw individual pixels.