Use the grid template below to create an image. However, the middle section of the canvas (the magenta part) must stay one single solid colour. Any colour is fine; it doesn't need to be magenta. (I think we've already had enough magenta anyway!)

The theme for this challenge is fruit. Any type of real-life fruit, and any way of presenting the theme is fine, just as long as it clearly adheres to the theme of fruit.

Canvas Size - Use template:

Colours - Unrestricted. Keep in mind though, that the middle section must only be one colour.
Transparency - No.
Animation - No.

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

Quite a few new pixel art links to check out this week...

• TOOLS: Piq is a handy Flash pixel art drawing tool and BLOCKHEAD PIX is a pixel art tool for the iPhone.
• FLASH GAMES: Pixel Purge and Cat Fight (art by sssnole)  are both worth checking out.
• iOS GAMES: Time Geeks is a beautiful new pixel art game with an eBoy-ish candy flavor for the iPhone/iPad.
• REAL WORLD PIXEL ART: 8 BIT WOOD and Steve Jobs bust and Real World Pac-Man (thanks greenraven).

Apparently tinypic.com has been shut down for International users without any warning. Many here use tinypic on the forum and your gallery page descriptions. Be aware that you may see the image, depending on your location, but not everyone will. It is best not to use this popular service from now on.

Beyond ImageShack and Photobucket if you know good and easy image upload hosts that you use and recommend (especially those with no membership required), please leave a link as a comment.

Challenge winner >(")< asks you to help a band of filthy pirates walk like a pirate this week by creating a treasure map so they can find buried treasure.

The big challenge though is to have at least one part of your map pop out. This piece illustrates the idea, but this isn't necessarily an iso challenge. You can make any part pop out, whether it's a fantasy creature, a treasure chest or some land masses. Be creative!

You don't have to create a typical looking pirate map like this piece, but you must at least indicate where 'North' is and have an 'X' to denote where the buried treasure is.

Canvas Size - Max 256 x 256.
Colors - Max 21. Use only colors from this palette:

Transparency - Optional.
Animation - Optional.

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

PixelJoint member VertigoZero has released a new, pixeled flash game. This puzzle platformer with 21 levels is based on a pixel piece in his gallery. What makes this game innovative, are the items you can use. Put on your 3D glasses to create new paths or float over gaps using your device.

Play the game HERE - HERE or HERE

The original (old)pixelart  piece is here. Enjoy (please)! Feedback is also appreciated.

Biolab Disaster is a unique game. Why? you may ask. Well, what makes it special is that it was created entirely with HTML5 and Javascript, rather than the more conventional Flash. But, thankfully, it also happens to be a cool little platformer with some great pixel art graphics! To top it off, the creator, Dominic Szablewski, plans to release the game's engine and a level editor sometime in the future.

Also, if you're interested, you can check out the 'making of ' video here.

The following pixel artists produced Pixel Joint's top rated pixel art for August 2010. Many thanks go out to this month's top pixel artists and all the members who took time to rate.

Consider The Lilies by cure

Buddy Cthulhu by LuckyF

The end of the Ronin by Adarias

Mr. Wallace Investigates Further by big brother

8 Color Club Faces by ptoing

White Rash by iLKke

Octoad by cure

Medusozoa Cucurbitaceae by FrostPumpkin

Starlight Fields by KORCHA

He of the Black Flame by ptoing

A new plant species has just been discovered! it's unlike anything that's ever been seen before! It's your job to show us what this amazing new species of plant looks like.

You may show the plant's surroundings, but the plant itself should be the focus of the piece. Also, keep in mind that plants are not sentient - so no walking/talking plant-creature thingies.

Optional Bonus Challenge: No green!

Canvas Size - Max 140 x 140.
Colours - Max 24.
Transparency - Optional.
Animation - Optional.

A new isometric collaboration has begun in the forum. The overall theme for this project is underground. Gem mines, archaeological digs, dinosaur bones, underground caves, lava flows, caverns, etc. Novice or pro, all are encouraged to contribute a tile.

Read all the details and the project rules HERE

This project features DawnBringer's award winning 16 color palette.

Announcing the winners of the 16 color palette contest.
First Place -  DawnBringer
Second Place - Manupix
Third Place - Noet
Honorable Mention - Zenobia

Congratulations to all who contributed a palette. Excellent and deserving good palettes by all.

Create a new and original human character and show that particular character (full body not portraits) through four stages of his or her life:

• 10 years old
• 20 years old
• 40 years old
• 80 years old

Place each version of the character (full body) above the age listed on the bottom of the canvas. You may modify the template slightly, but please keep the sizes of each section the same.

Canvas Size - Use template:

Colours - Unrestricted.
Transparency - No.
Animation - No.

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

Pixeljoint is holding a contest which is open to everyone and is quite simple. Submit your ultimate 16 color unique + original color palette.

Why enter? What's the point?
Well we have these 'spiffy' and rare trophies that Jinn created and will look lovely in your profile. Look how beautiful they are :)


*only 1 honorable mention will be given for this contest but its the best looking one so trying to get that one is a mini-goal on its own ;)

See the forum thread to post your entry and read the rules HERE

Contest closes next Friday, September 10, 2010. (CLOSED!)

E: Thanks Everyone :)

Finally, after more than half a decade, this isometric collaborative piece has been completed. It consists of 192 50x50 tiles, all assembled between July 10 2005 and September 1 2010.

Just some of the things you can expect to see are: an oil spill, two menacing tentacled creatures, a floating desert, an anthropomorphic lighthouse and 5 euros worth of rooftop golf. What else can you find...?

Thanks to everyone who participated; the final image can be seen here.