Pixel Basics

This tutorial will show you what you should and shouldn't do when pixelling.

Colors

Make sure the colors you choose aren't too close or too far apart from each other or the shading will look either too unnoticeable or too drastic. In the example, the pixel on the right has a color palette with too much of a difference between the colors.

Shading

Avoid pillow shading; it makes your pixels look unrealistic. Pillow shading is following the outline of the pixel and shading towards the center. Insted, choose a light source, and pretend there is a light shining above that part of the pixel. In the example, the pixel on the left has a light source coming from the top right.

Lines

Make your lines clean and neat. The corners of each pixel should touch, but the sides shouldn't. When the sides touch, it makes your lines look jagged and messy.