Pixel Joint Forum: Can you suggest some practices topic for beginner?

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AVAVT
Seaman
Seaman

Joined: 26 June 2023
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Posts: 7

Topic: Can you suggest some practices topic for beginner?
Posted: 11 August 2015 at 4:15am

Hello, I'm very new to pixel art, mostly done only terrain textures in the past. I feel like I need to practice something else if I want to actually make my own artwork one day, because (I think) terrain textures allow too much room for error.

So I've been trying to redraw some images I like in pixel. For example this one into:

I think this one is a little too hard for me right now, probably because I chose a canvas that's too big.

So, could you suggest of some practices for beginner? I can think of ideas to practice by myself, but I don't know what kind of practice will be good to focus in & improve which skill. Drawing another ball is of course always a established idea, but I won't learn much if I only repeat the same exercise over and over again.

For example, personally I think my AA is terrible, lines are obviously too ragged. What kind of piece should I draw to practice my AA?

Edited by AVAVT - 11 August 2015 at 4:25am

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SnowOwl
Midshipman

Joined: 11 August 2015
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Posts: 19

Posted: 13 August 2015 at 12:34am

How about you take a couple of animals and try to pixel those, while following some tutorials advice?

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jalonso
Admiral
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Joined: 29 November 2022
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Posts: 13537

Posted: 13 August 2015 at 6:00am

Find lineart by others or make your own and focus and experiment on pixelart techniques and not creative expression so you develop confidence.

PJs FAQ <•> Sticky Reads

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AVAVT
Seaman
Seaman

Joined: 26 June 2023
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 7

Posted: 14 August 2015 at 9:51am

Originally posted by SnowOwl

How about you take a couple of animals and try to pixel those, while following some tutorials advice?

Oh that's a good idea! The fur will need a decent amount of AA and I suppose I could learn more about fur shading too. Thank you :)

Originally posted by jalonso

Find lineart by others or make your own and focus and experiment on pixelart techniques and not creative expression so you develop confidence.

Do you think mimicking (copying) from good artists a good idea? I used to replicate grass and oceans from WIP videos and thought it was educational. But my painter friend told me I shouldn't do that, saying it's kind of a taboo and I won't develop my own style from replicating though...

Edited by AVAVT - 14 August 2015 at 9:53am

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StoneStephenT
Commander

Joined: 08 April 2021
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Posts: 252

Posted: 14 August 2015 at 10:01am

Originally posted by AVAVT

Do you think mimicking (copying) from good artists a good idea? I used to replicate grass and oceans from WIP videos and thought it was educational. But my painter friend told me I shouldn't do that, saying it's kind of a taboo and I won't develop my own style from replicating though...

At some point, you must experiment with the techniques and tricks you've learned by picking apart the works of others or following tutorials. Experimentation helps you find your style.

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Iscalio
Commander

Joined: 29 March 2023
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Posts: 224

Posted: 17 August 2015 at 5:36am

Looks fine to me. The threads on pixel art techniques or tutorials have been useful for me. But of course understanding the human figure, learning about color and lighting, using a lot of good reference, etc. All dis is important, honestly I think more important, than whether you got the specific pixel technique right. Of course I don't come from a pure pixel only art background, maybe it's more important to some folks.

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AVAVT
Seaman
Seaman

Joined: 26 June 2023
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 7

Posted: 18 August 2015 at 8:51am

Originally posted by SnowOwl

How about you take a couple of animals and try to pixel those, while following some tutorials advice?

So I took your advice and did a piece for the week's challenge. What do you think? ^^

Originally posted by StoneStephenT

At some point, you must experiment with the techniques and tricks you've learned by picking apart the works of others or following tutorials. Experimentation helps you find your style.

You mean in short I just need to draw more?

Originally posted by Iscalio

Looks fine to me. The threads on pixel art techniques or tutorials have been useful for me. But of course understanding the human figure, learning about color and lighting, using a lot of good reference, etc. All dis is important, honestly I think more important, than whether you got the specific pixel technique right. Of course I don't come from a pure pixel only art background, maybe it's more important to some folks.

I think you're right. The thing I find most difficult while drawing is the shading. I always find my shadow and light to be weird. Maybe I need to find more references before actually drawing...

Edited by AVAVT - 18 August 2015 at 8:56am

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Author	Message
AVAVT Seaman Joined: 26 June 2023 Online Status: Offline Posts: 7	Topic: Can you suggest some practices topic for beginner? Posted: 11 August 2015 at 4:15am
	Hello, I'm very new to pixel art, mostly done only terrain textures in the past. I feel like I need to practice something else if I want to actually make my own artwork one day, because (I think) terrain textures allow too much room for error. So I've been trying to redraw some images I like in pixel. For example this one into: I think this one is a little too hard for me right now, probably because I chose a canvas that's too big. So, could you suggest of some practices for beginner? I can think of ideas to practice by myself, but I don't know what kind of practice will be good to focus in & improve which skill. Drawing another ball is of course always a established idea, but I won't learn much if I only repeat the same exercise over and over again. For example, personally I think my AA is terrible, lines are obviously too ragged. What kind of piece should I draw to practice my AA? Edited by AVAVT - 11 August 2015 at 4:25am
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SnowOwl Midshipman Joined: 11 August 2015 Online Status: Offline Posts: 19	Posted: 13 August 2015 at 12:34am
	How about you take a couple of animals and try to pixel those, while following some tutorials advice?
	IP Logged

jalonso Admiral Joined: 29 November 2022 Online Status: Offline Posts: 13537	Posted: 13 August 2015 at 6:00am
	Find lineart by others or make your own and focus and experiment on pixelart techniques and not creative expression so you develop confidence.
	PJs FAQ <•> Sticky Reads
	IP Logged

AVAVT Seaman Joined: 26 June 2023 Online Status: Offline Posts: 7	Posted: 14 August 2015 at 9:51am
	*Originally posted by SnowOwl* How about you take a couple of animals and try to pixel those, while following some tutorials advice? Oh that's a good idea! The fur will need a decent amount of AA and I suppose I could learn more about fur shading too. Thank you :) *Originally posted by jalonso* Find lineart by others or make your own and focus and experiment on pixelart techniques and not creative expression so you develop confidence. Do you think mimicking (copying) from good artists a good idea? I used to replicate grass and oceans from WIP videos and thought it was educational. But my painter friend told me I shouldn't do that, saying it's kind of a taboo and I won't develop my own style from replicating though... Edited by AVAVT - 14 August 2015 at 9:53am
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StoneStephenT Commander Joined: 08 April 2021 Online Status: Offline Posts: 252	Posted: 14 August 2015 at 10:01am
	*Originally posted by AVAVT* Do you think mimicking (copying) from good artists a good idea? I used to replicate grass and oceans from WIP videos and thought it was educational. But my painter friend told me I shouldn't do that, saying it's kind of a taboo and I won't develop my own style from replicating though... At some point, you must experiment with the techniques and tricks you've learned by picking apart the works of others or following tutorials. Experimentation helps you find your style.
	IP Logged

Iscalio Commander Joined: 29 March 2023 Online Status: Offline Posts: 224	Posted: 17 August 2015 at 5:36am
	Looks fine to me. The threads on pixel art techniques or tutorials have been useful for me. But of course understanding the human figure, learning about color and lighting, using a lot of good reference, etc. All dis is important, honestly I think more important, than whether you got the specific pixel technique right. Of course I don't come from a pure pixel only art background, maybe it's more important to some folks.
	IP Logged

AVAVT Seaman Joined: 26 June 2023 Online Status: Offline Posts: 7	Posted: 18 August 2015 at 8:51am
	*Originally posted by SnowOwl* How about you take a couple of animals and try to pixel those, while following some tutorials advice? So I took your advice and did a piece for the week's challenge. What do you think? ^^ *Originally posted by StoneStephenT* *Originally posted by AVAVT* Do you think mimicking (copying) from good artists a good idea? I used to replicate grass and oceans from WIP videos and thought it was educational. But my painter friend told me I shouldn't do that, saying it's kind of a taboo and I won't develop my own style from replicating though... At some point, you must experiment with the techniques and tricks you've learned by picking apart the works of others or following tutorials. Experimentation helps you find your style. You mean in short I just need to draw more? *Originally posted by Iscalio* Looks fine to me. The threads on pixel art techniques or tutorials have been useful for me. But of course understanding the human figure, learning about color and lighting, using a lot of good reference, etc. All dis is important, honestly I think more important, than whether you got the specific pixel technique right. Of course I don't come from a pure pixel only art background, maybe it's more important to some folks. I think you're right. The thing I find most difficult while drawing is the shading. I always find my shadow and light to be weird. Maybe I need to find more references before actually drawing... Edited by AVAVT - 18 August 2015 at 8:56am
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