I consider the current definition of pixel art given by the 'submit pixel art' page to be somewhat inaccurate.

The current definition given is:
"Any art you post should be PIXEL ART! Pixel art implies that each pixel is placed by hand (no filters, paintbrushes, gradient fills, etc)."

If you are using negatives in your definition of something, it usually means your thinking on the matter is vague.
I have started this topic in order to arrive at a concise and wholly positive definition of pixel art.


Some ideas taken from posts elsewhere that maybe will help:

"What I want to say is that actually doesn't matter if you use some automated opacity or not, but you should know the basis of drawing and basis of opacy first. You just don't learn if automation does everything for you. " -- inkspot

"as long as there is some level of individual pixel manipulation, it doesn't matter whatever other tricks you throw in.  If it makes your work look better, and is more efficent, then bravo for you." -- nvision

"For me pixel art is about exploring iconic representation, dithering, hatching, shading, limited color palettes and making every pixel count. " -- sedgemonkey

This is my current best definition of it:

'Pixel art implies a high level of care taken with each individual pixel, so that the color and placement of every pixel in the picture is decided by you.'

Which i believe covers the above 3 points well.(style -- implicitly, knowledge of pixels -- explicitly, and efficiency -- explicitly)

It needs to be more concise or precise though.
Any suggestions?


Edited by neota

"ART IS A FREE-FLOWING THING, IT DOESNT NEED TO BE "DEFINED""

defining the undefinable

Edited by Pixel_Outlaw

If the person posting it needsa definition of what it is, then it probably isn't pixel art and further more they can't be to bright if they can't understand the current definition. I mean com'on, "[...] each pixel is placed by hand [...]" is pretty damn self explanatory, IMO 

The 'by hand' bit is fine.
It's the 'no filters, paintbrushes, gradient fills' that I think inappropriate.
For instance, I used to use a gradient-map filter to finalize the coloring for my pics ( I drew them in greyscale deliberately so i could do that.) I've also used paintbrush to good effect in one pic. I haven't really used gradients to any good effect :)

haha that actually made me laugh out loud.

Edited by Shark