6 min read
2026-02-09
Use 8-16 colors. A limited palette creates stylistic unity and simplifies work.
Diagonal lines should be smooth. Use a pattern: 2-2-2 pixels for 45°, 2-1-2-1 for shallower angles.
Dithering is the process of alternating pixels of two colors to create the illusion of an intermediate shade without adding new colors.
16x16 or 32x32 is the perfect size for teaching. Larger canvases will require more time and patience.
Analyze pixel art from classic games. Pay attention to the shading technique and use of the palette.
The light should fall from one side on all objects in the scene. This creates consistency.
For animation, change a minimum of pixels between frames. 4-8 frames is enough for a simple walking animation.
Game Boy (4 shades of green)
NES (54 colors)
PICO-8 (16 colors)
See also: Favicon generator, SVG editor