Pixel Art Tutorials

Forum for the creative side of the game development process: art, music, storyline, gameplay, concepts, etc. Any sort of relevant discussion is welcome here.

Moderator: PC Supremacists

User avatar
zeid
Chaos Rift Junior
Chaos Rift Junior
Posts: 201
Joined: Fri Apr 24, 2009 11:58 pm

Pixel Art Tutorials

Post by zeid »

Ok, so pixel art tutorials are always fun looking for, alot of newbie game programmers get into pixel art when making the graphics for their games (which is good) and decide they are good enough to share their gift (which is bad)... this 'gift' of theirs can actually be counter productive when put in tutorial form and send others on the wrong track art wise. So throughout the ages (millenia i believe) I have accumulated a number of good tutorials and made a few of my own. I think some might benefit from this, it's basically a massive tutorial referencing thread for learning pixel art and pixel art techniques.

Some tutorials by me (shameless self promotion, please ignore my dead but still twitching forum):

Lesson 1 - Basics
Overview of lesson 1
Lesson 2 - Colour
The Demons of Pixel Art

Provided bellow is a listing of useful art tutorials by others (these cover alot of things mine don't, I think it might also work vice-versa but it's been a while since I last read any of these links):

Pixel Art
Derek Yu - http://derekyu.com/extras/pixel01.html
Gas 13 - http://gas13.ru/v3/tutorials/

The above are highly recommended
Mark's - http://www.natomic.com/hosted/marks/mpat/
Drubudu's - http://www.drububu.com/tutorial/index.htmlhttp://www.rhysd.com/tutorial/
Rhys - http://www.rhysd.com/tutorial/
Alex - [1 2 3]
St0ven - [1 2 3]

Unfortunately a number of St0ven's tutorials aren't online anymore since his main site is down.
Zoggles - http://www.zoggles.co.uk/asp/tutorials.asp?show=index
Tsugumo - http://www.petesqbsite.com/sections/tutorials/tuts/tsugumo/
CMR - http://subtutorial.bravehost.com/

Pixel Movies - http://www.wayofthepixel.net/pixelation/in...hp?topic=2144.0

I highly recommend this site for people looking for heavy critique on their art. If you approach this forum, do so with a mature attitude and willingness to make large changes to your art or you will not last long.
An excellent tiles tutorial by Marco Vale - http://video.google.com/...

Animation
Idle Worm - http://www.idleworm.com/how/index.shtml
Larry's - http://www.awn.com/tooninstitute/lessonplan/lesson.htm#top
Manning - http://www.manningkrull.com/pixel_art/tutorials/walking.asp

These sites provide some interesting information on animation in general.

Other Art Tutorials
Itch Studios - http://www.itchstudios.com/psg/index.htm
Itchy Animation - http://www.itchy-animation.co.uk/light.htm

Getting a good grasp of art in general will aid when approaching pixel art.

Also these communities will help you hone your skills with intense critique:
Pixeljoint
Pixelation
Axolotl Pop!
Image
Or, try it for free.

For many more free games online visit www.sam-zeid.com
User avatar
OrinCreed
Chaos Rift Regular
Chaos Rift Regular
Posts: 105
Joined: Sat Apr 11, 2009 8:31 pm
Location: NJ
Contact:

Re: Sprites?

Post by OrinCreed »

Quite the wealth of links there. I will have to look over those some time today. I've always dabbled with sprite art but never put a real commitment into it, but with all these links that might change.
Ewan
Chaos Rift Cool Newbie
Chaos Rift Cool Newbie
Posts: 62
Joined: Mon Mar 23, 2009 11:46 am

Re: Pixel Art Tutorials

Post by Ewan »

Awesome. I've been making crappy sprites for years but it would be nice to have a game that looks nice for once. I'll definitely give those tutorials a go ;)
They pull out the truncheon, that's when the trouble starts.

'Cause when you've got a badge, the laws don't apply.
User avatar
MarauderIIC
Respected Programmer
Respected Programmer
Posts: 3406
Joined: Sat Jul 10, 2004 3:05 pm
Location: Maryland, USA

Re: Pixel Art Tutorials

Post by MarauderIIC »

Oh, yeah. I stickied this. Excellent post, zeid.
I realized the moment I fell into the fissure that the book would not be destroyed as I had planned.
User avatar
zeid
Chaos Rift Junior
Chaos Rift Junior
Posts: 201
Joined: Fri Apr 24, 2009 11:58 pm

Re: Pixel Art Tutorials

Post by zeid »

Thanks :mrgreen:
Axolotl Pop!
Image
Or, try it for free.

For many more free games online visit www.sam-zeid.com
User avatar
JarrodParkes
ES Beta Backer
ES Beta Backer
Posts: 325
Joined: Thu Feb 25, 2010 2:39 pm
Current Project: Yes, iPhone Application(s)
Favorite Gaming Platforms: N64, PC
Programming Language of Choice: C++
Location: Mountain View, CA
Contact:

Re: Pixel Art Tutorials

Post by JarrodParkes »

These tutorials look to be very rewarding, and I have already began looking into a few; however, I was wondering before I get any further, if any of the tutorials point out a suggested application to develop pixel art in? I have seen a couple references to Adobe Photoshop, but I did not know if I need worry about such a large application for making pixel art. Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Jarrod
User avatar
eatcomics
ES Beta Backer
ES Beta Backer
Posts: 2528
Joined: Sat Mar 08, 2008 7:52 pm
Location: Illinois

Re: Pixel Art Tutorials

Post by eatcomics »

JarrodParkes wrote:These tutorials look to be very rewarding, and I have already began looking into a few; however, I was wondering before I get any further, if any of the tutorials point out a suggested application to develop pixel art in? I have seen a couple references to Adobe Photoshop, but I did not know if I need worry about such a large application for making pixel art. Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Jarrod
I use paint.NET and a lot of people here like and us it.
Image
User avatar
JarrodParkes
ES Beta Backer
ES Beta Backer
Posts: 325
Joined: Thu Feb 25, 2010 2:39 pm
Current Project: Yes, iPhone Application(s)
Favorite Gaming Platforms: N64, PC
Programming Language of Choice: C++
Location: Mountain View, CA
Contact:

Re: Pixel Art Tutorials

Post by JarrodParkes »

I'm looking at paint.NET and it looks to be Windows exclusive, is there anything someone may recommend that is cross-platform and open source? Sorry to be so picky, but just curious.

Thanks,
Jarrod
User avatar
kamokow
Chaos Rift Cool Newbie
Chaos Rift Cool Newbie
Posts: 68
Joined: Wed Aug 05, 2009 9:36 pm
Programming Language of Choice: C++
Location: Canada

Re: Pixel Art Tutorials

Post by kamokow »

JarrodParkes wrote:I'm looking at paint.NET and it looks to be Windows exclusive, is there anything someone may recommend that is cross-platform and open source? Sorry to be so picky, but just curious.

Thanks,
Jarrod
The GIMP is sorta the tool of choice for cross platform nowadays. MAny people dont like the whole 3 unattached windows thing, but after a bit of getting used to its not a big deal. Im sure a bit of research on google could turn up something more.
Image
User avatar
MadPumpkin
Chaos Rift Maniac
Chaos Rift Maniac
Posts: 484
Joined: Fri Feb 13, 2009 4:48 pm
Current Project: Octopia
Favorite Gaming Platforms: PS1-3, Genesis, Dreamcast, SNES, PC
Programming Language of Choice: C/++,Java,Py,LUA,XML
Location: C:\\United States of America\Utah\West Valley City\Neighborhood\House\Computer Desk

Re: Pixel Art Tutorials

Post by MadPumpkin »

JarrodParkes wrote:I'm looking at paint.NET and it looks to be Windows exclusive, is there anything someone may recommend that is cross-platform and open source? Sorry to be so picky, but just curious.

Thanks,
Jarrod
http://www.Gimp.org/ = God
While Jesus equipped with angels, the Devil's equipped with cops
For God so loved the world that he blessed the thugs with rock
Image
Image
Image
pritam
Chaos Rift Demigod
Chaos Rift Demigod
Posts: 991
Joined: Thu Nov 13, 2008 3:16 pm
Current Project: Elysian Shadows
Favorite Gaming Platforms: Amiga, PSOne, NDS
Programming Language of Choice: C++
Location: Sweden

Re: Pixel Art Tutorials

Post by pritam »

MadPumpkin wrote:
JarrodParkes wrote:I'm looking at paint.NET and it looks to be Windows exclusive, is there anything someone may recommend that is cross-platform and open source? Sorry to be so picky, but just curious.

Thanks,
Jarrod
http://www.Gimp.org/ = God
I can't agree on this, it's alright but the brush support is just awfull. Although it's still suitable for pixel art.
User avatar
JarrodParkes
ES Beta Backer
ES Beta Backer
Posts: 325
Joined: Thu Feb 25, 2010 2:39 pm
Current Project: Yes, iPhone Application(s)
Favorite Gaming Platforms: N64, PC
Programming Language of Choice: C++
Location: Mountain View, CA
Contact:

Re: Pixel Art Tutorials

Post by JarrodParkes »

Pritam, if you don't mind me asking...what pixel art application do you use to develop ES pixel art?

Thanks,
Jarrod
pritam
Chaos Rift Demigod
Chaos Rift Demigod
Posts: 991
Joined: Thu Nov 13, 2008 3:16 pm
Current Project: Elysian Shadows
Favorite Gaming Platforms: Amiga, PSOne, NDS
Programming Language of Choice: C++
Location: Sweden

Re: Pixel Art Tutorials

Post by pritam »

JarrodParkes wrote:Pritam, if you don't mind me asking...what pixel art application do you use to develop ES pixel art?

Thanks,
Jarrod
I'm using Photoshop CS4 together with a Wacom interactive screen on my lovely HP laptop. I'd gone with a free application but hardly anything gets as good and pleasant as Photoshop.
User avatar
eatcomics
ES Beta Backer
ES Beta Backer
Posts: 2528
Joined: Sat Mar 08, 2008 7:52 pm
Location: Illinois

Re: Pixel Art Tutorials

Post by eatcomics »

JarrodParkes wrote:Pritam, if you don't mind me asking...what pixel art application do you use to develop ES pixel art?

Thanks,
Jarrod
You're probably best off with gimp for something other than windows, sorry I was going to mention Gimp but i don't like it as much as Paint.net... Just assumed you were on windows, but I suggest Gimp, as its free and cross platform :D
Image
Live-Dimension
Chaos Rift Junior
Chaos Rift Junior
Posts: 345
Joined: Tue Jan 12, 2010 7:23 pm
Favorite Gaming Platforms: PC - Windows 7
Programming Language of Choice: c++;haxe
Contact:

Re: Pixel Art Tutorials

Post by Live-Dimension »

There is always Graphics Gale for windows, which is about the only half-decent editor made especially for pixel art for windows that I know of. And pixen for your mac guys.
Image
Post Reply