Pixel Art Tutorials

[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

[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]

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

[MarauderIIC]

Oh, yeah. I stickied this. Excellent post, zeid.

[zeid]

Thanks

[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

[eatcomics]

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.

[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

[kamokow]

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.

[MadPumpkin]

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

[pritam]

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.

[JarrodParkes]

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

Thanks,
Jarrod

[pritam]

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.

[eatcomics]

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

[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.