Getting started: Pixelart
- Eris Esra
- Feb 19
- 4 min read
Updated: Jun 30
Learning any subject can be difficult! I aim to relieve the stress of finding resources and how-tos by listing what I find on this website!
Don't like reading? Here's the video version!
Programs
Let's begin with programs. Based on my own experiences and the community's suggestions, I've given you four options!
PC
Aseprite - This is the program I use and recommend! There are ways to compile it for free, but I always suggest either paying the $20 or waiting for a sale to support the developers! It has the most support and tutorials of all the programs on this list! However, this shouldn't stop you from considering other options, especially if you have financial concerns. Any tutorials you find on pixelart can usually be applied in any program you use!
Libresprite - This is the free alternative! If you don't want to go through the trouble of learning how to compile Aseprite, this program is your next best choice! It's a fork of Aseprite that's easy to download!
Mobile
It's to be noted I don't have a lot of experience with drawing pixelart on mobile! The two below are available for both Android and iOS
Online
All of these options allow you to create pixelart right in the web for free! No account signup!
Optional
These programs aren't for pixelart, but I recommend them for artists in general! They're helpful in making reference boards! For example, I want to draw fanart of this dog creature from a game. I can grab images of the character and dog positions and see them all at once!
This then allows me to make a final piece, combining the references together!
PC
Pureref - This one's free!
Mobile
Vizref — This is only available for iOS and costs $4. I don't currently know of an Android alternative.
Articles
Next up, here's a list of articles made by professionals if you're more of a reader!
If you like reading in short bursts on specific topics(similar to this blog), there are these options! They have gif and image tutorials like these!
Pedro’s Pixel Art Guide — I like this website because it allows you to search for a category! He also has this website with blogs!
Slynyrd — This is another blog website, a lot of good reads!
Cyangmou — One I recently learned about, they have some handy tutorials!
Books
The only pixelart book I know of is this one! It's $10, but I think it's wholeheartedly worth it! Even the free preview is worth a read!
Websites
A lot of the time, it's hard to get good references for pixelart since it's important to know what size to make it! 16x16 vs 32x32 can make a big difference! This is where these websites come into play!
You're able to directly download assets to use as REFERENCES! I emphasize this point!
Itch.io — If you're a game developer, you probably know about this website. It's where I upload my games! You've also probably downloaded assets to use in your games, but have you ever considered using them to study instead?
The Sprite Resource - A not often talked about website! It has a lot of assets from popular pixelart games, here's a few to get you started!
Lospec — If you're unsure what colors to use, this is a great website to get them from!
Video
Lastly, here are my video recommendations!
I currently stream myself studying different topics you'll find all across this website!
Aside from my own videos, I'm currently developing a playlist of videos I've found useful in learning pixelart basics! It's always being updated!
These are the channels I recommend looking into, they've been helpful in learning about various pixelart topics!
AdamCYounis - A game dev who I've found an easy time understanding!
Nootall - Wonderful animations!
Penusbmic - Lots of action animations!
PeterMilko - Another dev who makes great tutorials!
Saultoons - Dev with a silly vibe.
Brandon James Greer - A nice retro feel.
1 Bit Studio - Short, concise tutorials.
Pixel Overload - Visually appealing.
SillyPotato - Lovely timelapses
MINI SUNNY - A Korean Pixelart Vtuber with cute tutorials!
Robinson Pixels - A great channel for pixelart tips!
Art Basics
These are playlists of videos for the basics of not just pixelart, but art in general. Usually, "The fundamentals are talked about," so I hope to collect helpful playlists that break them down bit by bit!
Conclusion
Thank you for reading! I hope you were able to find some helpful resources! If you have any recommendations, please let me know in the comments below!
