Pixel Art Details

Title:	Cat of Gold
Pixel Artist:	iLKke (Level 9 Nidan :: 31641 points)
Posted:	3/13/2008 14:44
Palette:	16 colors
Statistics:	105 comments 362 faves 0 avatars
A bit of an oldskool romp. I felt like practicing 'shape-bluffing', a method for adding abstract detail often used when pixeling logos in the days of teh skene, and also employed by some game artists as well (Dan and Henk, most notably). I thought I might find the practice useful for game graphics. Also I kinda missed working with a saucy 16-color ramp :D Possibly unconsciously influenced by Achewood. All you asymmetry cultists, enjoy!

Top Pixel Art - March 2008 (#1)

Discussion

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DukeDarer (Level 3 Clone) @ 6/20/2022 06:47

WOW!!!

syedahumna56 (Level 2 CGA) @ 6/3/2022 21:43

Amazing

syedahumna56 (Level 2 CGA) @ 6/3/2022 21:42

Wow

syedahumna56 (Level 2 CGA) @ 6/3/2022 16:53

Good

mupixl (Level 4 Knight) @ 2/26/2021 11:13

Fantastic dithering!

tobe (Level 2 Flatfoot) @ 9/25/2020 08:51

Oh dear...

Fleja2003 (Level 7 Lotus) @ 9/13/2017 09:21

Wow - this is incredible!

upper0 (Level 3 Sergeant) @ 7/14/2017 09:54

Fantastic!

Psiweapon (Level 4 Gas Giant) @ 4/1/2016 22:01

I've been doing this for years already and never remembered where did I pick it up from.

Pretty damn sure it was from here, so thank you sir.

JosChavz (Level 1 Intern) @ 2/19/2016 19:33

Simply amazing!

s_t_s (Level 1 Rookie) @ 9/14/2015 04:27

Really gorgeous ! I love your style and skills !

marlenblaze (Level 1 Thug) @ 6/18/2015 00:28

Despicable.

docMGTM (Level 1 Rookie) @ 6/27/2014 10:57

wow just perfect

P0int (Level 3 Hatchikyu) @ 7/21/2013 22:00

So this is dithering. Thank you for the wonderful example.

Different55 (Level 2 Dealer) @ 1/12/2013 08:08

I saw it, checked the amount of colors, then did a double take and zoomed all the way in to stare at it. You are a wizard.

kaze19th (Level 3 Hatchikyu) @ 12/7/2012 02:29

... Perfect.

Neela (Level 2 Flatfoot) @ 3/26/2012 11:34

I looked for gradients but all I found was incredible clever pixeling. Beautiful.

Jackman941 (Level 1 Rookie) @ 11/8/2011 08:27

HOW DID YOU DO THAT?!

reis (Level 6 Serial Killer) @ 10/19/2011 15:14

Your dithering is the best.

HummingBird (Level 1 Thug) @ 2/27/2011 05:24

Hmm... I think that that's a dog, not a cat. But you know it better! And only 16 colors! wow...

Oasis (Level 1 Depressed) @ 1/9/2011 14:32

Best in existence. Period.

|||| (Level 9 Orchid) @ 12/28/2010 16:01

Amazing colors, textures.. holy gaucamole.

Zedeem (Level 1 Depressed) @ 12/24/2010 04:53

I love it. I wonder how you guys choose so nice colors.. I can't :(((

Conzeit (Level 1 Rookie) @ 12/21/2010 22:53

I NO GET SHAPEBLUFfiNG, SIR

Psychotron-3000 (Level 5 Detective) @ 10/21/2010 22:42

You have a mastery of metallic texturing and non metallic metal. And in PIXELS! I admire you, sir.

thick (Level 1 Rookie) @ 10/17/2010 03:29

Superb greebling!

KrypToniTe (Level 5 Soldier) @ 10/10/2010 01:51

Now this is some art. Great colors you have here. Love it.

EdJr (Level 9 Nidan) @ 8/27/2010 15:36

We can't see the dithering, as perfect as it is. I love the details, the originality, the colors, everything.

weezllane (Level 2 Quiet One) @ 7/7/2010 11:54

Love this. Nicely done.

TheZakMan (Level 2 Kukyu) @ 5/1/2010 19:48

legendary.

Spikrodd (Level 1 Rookie) @ 3/2/2010 06:45

I still can't fathom how some people can make ceramics usiong such a small number of colors

GormenGhast (Level 5 Detective) @ 1/13/2010 08:46

This is absolutely outstanding. There's probably a couple of life size ones of these either side of the doors to the Bitmap Brothers kingdom.

Shoopzation (Level 1 Depressed) @ 12/2/2009 14:32

..P-..PIX-....EL ART???!??!?!?! PIXEL ART!!?!??!?!

GREATTTT!!!!!! 11111111111111111111111999999999/1!!

Arthurio (Level 1 Rookie) @ 9/2/2009 06:04

Is it really pixel art ? *_______*

Incredible !

Splocket (Level 1 Rookie) @ 8/26/2009 14:31

Stunning.

wenruto (Level 5 Killer Klown) @ 6/18/2009 18:57

AWESOMENESS

Pumpkinbot (Level 2 Peon) @ 6/4/2009 14:51

Kitteh? :D 5/5

crisis (Level 1 Rookie) @ 6/4/2009 09:50

Cute! (creepy, too)
Yes, it does kinda look Achewoody :) At least it's not 3/4 naked...or we don't think it is, anyway...
Anyway, really neat ^^ Love the shading.

Karzahnii (Level 1 Rookie) @ 5/13/2009 16:20

11 Awesome's. Make that 12.

ellie-is (Level 5 Assistant Manager) @ 4/20/2009 12:50

Wow, thats awesome man.

Arboris (Level 2 Petty Officer) @ 4/20/2009 08:16

Thats just awesome :o

Deyman (Level 1 Private) @ 4/13/2009 18:01

Omg iLKke, wow! Amazing. The lightning is just fantastic! Svaka cast! ^^

fawful (Level 6 Yonkyu) @ 2/11/2009 15:10

......awesome.

If your work didn't impress me,at least it would make me want to experiment with colours.

Very,very impressive.

adin (Level 1 Private) @ 7/20/2008 03:52

thats so awesome

Chapelier Toque (Level 1 Rookie) @ 6/24/2008 09:50

no gallery, i'm just a critic, i'm learning pixel art...

a newcommer at Pixelation...

thanks for yours answers

iLKke (Level 9 Nidan) @ 6/24/2008 02:41

@CT: Thanks. It's nice to see someone who's versed in the ways of old. Pixelation is a nice place for theoretical threads on pixel art, so you might find it interesting, if you're not already a member.

Too bad your gallery is empty.
Is there a place one can see your work? Or are you just a critic? :)

Chapelier Toque (Level 1 Rookie) @ 6/19/2008 12:40

I thinks Dan Malone used two methods to fill in the gaps with highlights : "blocky" shapes to multiplicate the edges, and metal surfaces (reflection).
demosceners used over-highlighing, it make their characters very "metal-ish" and hypnotic, but also "plastic".
Dan used a special lighting and colors to get a feel "dark-dramatic". i found this contrast highlights/gloomy in your Cat of gold... it's like Speedball 2 (game over, version OCS-ECS) and Chaos engine (portraits), EXCELLENT !

iLKke (Level 9 Nidan) @ 6/19/2008 02:26

@CT: Exactly. I'm glad not everyone finds the idea too confusing.

Chapelier Toque (Level 1 Rookie) @ 6/18/2008 01:35

very Malone-like . He also used the forms "blocky" to increase the depth in his pictures. And give to his characters a look "hard/severe."

Shape-bluffing here :
http://www.gfxzone.org/personal/rork/01/rork-kleeuma.html
http://www.mobygames.com/game/amiga/gods/screenshots/gameShotId,73405/
http://www.gfxzone.org/personal/madd/01/madd-logo_mystic.html
http://www.gfxzone.org/personal/pix/01/pix-panel_digital_chips_menu.html
in the logos, put relief to fill the gaps ...

iLKke (Level 9 Nidan) @ 5/21/2008 07:01

Ok, several people asked about this 'shape-bluffing' thing, so here goes.
SB(tm) is an ad-hoc term I coined while writing the text, but the technique has been used widely on the demoscene, especially on logos and such. It has also been used by 'real-life' artists, such as Bacon or Dali.
In pixel art, it's a method of adding 'topographic' detail to avoid having large featureless areas that can be hard to shade nicely with few colors. Shape bluffing differs from adding real detail in that it makes no sense, it's just something that looks nice but couldn't really exist. It is in fact abstract, like when you draw smoke or water, and don't really think about the shape itself.
If you tried to make a 3d object based on this picture, you'd find out that it is not really clear what is where, etc, and you sure as hell could never make it have lights and shadows like those in the picture.

brunocompuit (Level 1 Jukyu) @ 5/12/2008 06:37

One day learn to create this style. I love these scenes and the passage of soft colors. great

nooodl (Level 1 Rookie) @ 5/11/2008 22:48

Oooh! Pretty. I love the lighting.

Josiah (Level 2 Flatfoot) @ 5/4/2008 19:39

Neat colors, dithering was done very well.

Artsu (Level 1 Rookie) @ 5/3/2008 09:54

Am I the only one who sees something else than a nose and an upper-lip there? :D Anyway awesum job, keep it up! :)

happy bacchus (Level 1 Thug) @ 4/27/2008 18:54

I knew this piece was going for something BIG

pain (Level 9 Nidan) @ 4/21/2008 06:04

khmmm... has a500 feel to it ... :D

Seeg (Level 1 Gangster) @ 4/10/2008 23:49

Simply unbelievable.

Fool (Level 6 SWAT) @ 4/2/2008 03:37

Brilliant piece=)

JahJah (Level 1 Rookie) @ 3/20/2008 22:47

Exelent! The calculated pixelation is great, and a piece to learn from.

Alenius (Level 1 Rookie) @ 3/20/2008 15:33

Piece of Art! Masterpiece! Man, it's as good as The DaVinci Code!

iLKke (Level 9 Nidan) @ 3/20/2008 08:25

Thanks for the nice comments, everyone.

Elephant (Level 1 Rookie) @ 3/20/2008 02:32

Lawrence (Level 10 Operative) @ 3/19/2008 08:56

Excellent lighting.

AndyOaks (Level 1 Rookie) @ 3/18/2008 04:43

You have a very clean style.
Reminds me of Dan 'bitmap brothers' Malone artwork.
Great job!

rabidbaboy (Level 4 Shichikyu) @ 3/17/2008 22:30

The preview has "ilkke" written all over it.
Very nice, you should teach me how to do that.

Pok3' (Level 2 Quiet One) @ 3/17/2008 11:38

Man! that's absolutely perfect. +fav

rajkosk8 (Level 5 Detective) @ 3/16/2008 04:50

ilkke ............true master of inspiration!!!!

atei (Level 1 Intern) @ 3/15/2008 22:08

Whoa. Incredible dithering. Fav'd.

4tochkin (Level 1 Intern) @ 3/15/2008 16:37

cool :)

Brokencode (Level 1 Rookie) @ 3/15/2008 07:40

wow impressive

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