This is a challenge for everyone who was not satisfied with the Animal Atlas collab's 2 animal limit. We all love drawing animals, so let's do some more. However this is not a fun collab, but a challenge, so prepare to meet some problems that will require creative solving.

February 15th is the World Hippo Day - a third heaviest land mammal after elephant and rhinoceros, and on February 27th we celebrate International Polar Bear Day - the biggest land predator. We decided to combine those two huge observances into one, by combining those two huge animals into one.

Create a sprite of a hybrid of a Hippopotamus and a Polar Bear. You can mix up any of their parts/traits in any way you wish. It can be a half hippo half bear in a mermaid way, a hippo with a white fur, or a polar bear which's mouth opens to 180°. Most likely, the more creative you are, the more attention you will cath in the poll.

Instead of a palette with realistic wildlife depiction capabilities, we give you something challenging. You have to use the 4pi Palette Created by Bo Tie.

Canvas Size - Max 200x150.
Colors - Max 9 (palette + transparency).
Transparency - Optional.
Animation - Optional.

 

The challenge thread will have all the challenge updates. The thread is also a great place to post your WIPs.

Official Pixel Joint Group Picture 2025 collab starts now. This year's topic is class photo. We will be representing ourselves with portraits including upper bodies. Any form of representation is allowed. It doesn't have to be a realistic portrait; it can be any style and any form.

The first sitting row is reserved for the mod team only, and all users will take their standing spots in subsequent rows above. On the day of launch, only the second row is open, but we will unlock new spots while your submissions are filling in.


Link to the forum post: https://pixeljoint.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=27704


Rules:

1) The mandatory palette is Fading 16 by CopheeMoth.

2) Claim your spot on the PJ forum the same way as ISO collab tiles are claimed - the first comment takes the spot. The spots differ in size (64, 72 or 80 px wide), so choose the one you will need for your art. If you don't see your preferred size available, wait for another level to unlock. If you decide that you need a different size after the claim, you can change it by releasing one that you have and claiming another.

3) Your avatar (if you are going for an anthropomorphic being) should be located in the middle of your spot, facing front, with the head in the middle. You should fit the elbows more or less above the heads of two characters from the level below you.

4) You have to present your WiP in 3 days and then a finished picture in another 11 days (14 days total). If you currently do not have time, don't claim. Others are waiting too. Don't worry, the collab will last until the end of the year. Any modifications to a finished submission are allowed only if moderators will accept them, but only in the inside of your work; the top outline, once sealed, cannot be changed.

5) If you manage to present your WiP in 3 days, but fail to finish the whole thing in two weeks you will loose your spot claim. You are able to reclaim it only if someone already didn't claim it for themselves. If that happens you will have to claim a different available spot, and adapt the bottom of your WiP to a new surroundings.

6) All top edges of the row need to be connected with a "white" border. The first person who finishes their claim decides on the shoulder height connection. If your neighbour is done before you, you have to connect yours to theirs. It is better to share WiPs with your neighbours and work in the spirit of collaboration to prevent difficult problems to solve later.

7) You cannot pass the white outline under your spot and draw on top of finished pieces from the previous row.

8) Extending your character to your neighbour's spot is allowed if your neighbour agrees to it, and mods allow it (look at Mirre's mermaid tail example). Also, working together with your neighbour with things like holding hands or a two-headed monster is allowed.

9) Your finished work has to be submitted with transparency above the white outline (around the head and shoulders), and if parts of your artwork do go overboard to your neighbour's spot, add transparency and your part only, without their part.

We are continuing the series that started with Tiny Towers, and followed with Petite Panorama and Diminutive Dungeons.

Mansions are interesting buildings that could be very long and stretch over many floors or wings. You can decide to go vertical OR horizontal as you like, but it should be building interior themed. Who lives in your mansion? A forlorn vampire? A desolate prince? An enchanted countess? Rooms might include kitchen, dining room, bedrooms, hallways, bathrooms, ballroom, office, library, sauna, basement, gym, sunroom, greenhouse, laboratory, dungeon as a few examples. 


Canvas Size - Width: Minimum 64px, wider is allowed too. Height: Exactly 16px OR Width: Exactly 16px. Height: Minimum 64px, taller is allowed too.
Colors - Max 16
Transparency - Optional
Animation - Optional

The final collection has 88 animals made by a total of 70 contributors. Unsuprisingly, mammals where the most well represented class of animals, with a total of 38 mammals, of which five were cats. Second place goes to Birds(21), followed by Reptiles(7),  Insects(6), Ray-finned Fish(4), Amphibians and Arachnids(3), and Cephalopods(2), with a lone Hydroza, Crab, and Tardigrade rounding out the bottom.

 

 You can read the original challenge announcement and rules here.

The Origin of Life challenge has ended, and the winners are velvetChaika, Mirreon, cardo de comer, and Knutick. Check out the details: https://maetheria.com

Nature’s diversity still holds so much potential, so we’re extending the life’s emergence and nature theme for another two weeks! Humans and civilization will have their time to shine in future eras—no need to rush them just yet.

What does "pixel perfect even mean nowadays?
I Wrote an article, which examines the meaning and history of the term
You can read it on my Ko-Fi:

ko-fi.com/post/Pixel-perfect-has-no-meaning-Z8Z01ADBJH

Valentine's Day is soon upon us! And so it is upon game characters. Help them create a Valentine's Day card where they profess their love or admiration. For who? It's up to you! It can even be a generic greeting.

The Cosmic Challenge has ended, and the winners are Mirreon, Calythera, Ritta and Varaneu! Check out the project's website for details: https://maetheria.com/

The theme of the new challenge is The Origin of Life. It will run until February 15.

What to draw:

- Botanical ornaments
- Amoebas, insects, fungi, animals, dinosaurs, and other creatures in their evolutionary process
- Everything that grows and blooms: plants, flowers, and fruits

What not to draw:

- Humans and anything created by them

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2gk5yizQj8

For the Chinese New Year and the Year of the Snake, draw a sprite or scene with an anthropomorphized snake with a certain attitude that you think best suits it in the traditional Chinese palette. Evil, cheerful, slimy, kind,... the choice is yours. And don't forget to evoke a festive atmosphere for this event.

You have to use this palette made by Irena:

Canvas size: max. 120x120px;
Colors: max 13 (provided palette + transparent if needed);
Transparency: optional;
Animation: optional.