Here is your next exclusive Dot Gal. I've developed enough proficiency in this style I can take real life portrait references and turn them into anime style, which is what I did for this piece. Seems to come out more natural that way, opposed to only referencing other anime images.
64x64px 128x128px canvas
16 colors
Photoshop
With the imminent release of Hyper Echelon on Switch this Friday, May 13, it's time to warm up those thumbs. Let's play Hyper Echelon! Watch me S rank Draconia on the second of four difficulty tiers (Ace). I may be biased, but If I came across this footage, I would have to buy and play it for myself.
Go ahead and sub to our Youtube channel if you like. I plan on making more short gameplay videos like this to show off more of the game. 2022-05-09 18:35:11 +0000 UTC
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Here is some progress on a scene I planned to call Fear and Ego. This is the 4th scene so far, but I'm not sure on the final order, as I may rearrange some things for the sake of the narrative. I'm actually thinking to revisit this scene with a dark twist later. In this version, the king and his shadowy counselors provide a dubious welcome to a foreigner.
I've only got a couple good sessions on this one so far. Still much work to do on the color and details. Stay tuned!
Mark your calendars, more pixels incoming!
I'm excited to develop the 4th scene for the Shape of the Universe project this month. Also, got at least one new Dot Gal coming, which will remain exclusive to my awesome patrons. I plan on making a total of 9 gals, so we have a few more to go. But, I'm sure most of you have your eye on Pixelblog 38 coming at the end of the month. Thinking about riffing off another 8-bit classic. I've got some ideas in mind, but I'm curious what games or styl...
180x180px
12 colors
2 hour 45 minutes (final process)
Photoshop
This is the artwork featured in Pixelcast 44. People often ask about my thought process, and how I even get to the starting line on these pieces, as one can see I already have a palette and apparent plan from the get go. Well, allow me to explain the making of a typical Pixelcast artwork.
Before I attempt to record the process of the final...
The everlasting gaze grows envious of its ephemeral subjects.
More details about this artwork and its preparation incoming.
Watch on Youtube
Heya! Got another gal for you.
64x64px 128x128px canvas
11 colors
Photoshop
After restarting this scene last week, things have come together much smoother. Finding the appropriate scale, positioning, and color values to achieve convincing depth has been the most challenging aspect, while designing the architecture and characters has been a joy. I love designing architecture on the fly, simply playing with geometry and color until the puzzle is solved.
The crude thumbnail I shared in the last update was the only prep I did before diving into the pixels, so jus...
Finally settling into the style and getting comfortable with more variation. Excited to make more!
64x64px 128x128px canvas
13 colors
Photoshop
How about a redo. So, I started over from scratch on the third scene. Since the last update, I continued working on that composition for a while, but ended up tossing it in the B-sides folder. Mostly it's the aerial viewpoint and overly lush landscape that wasn't working for me. I want to be able to show more detailed characters, and the landscape should not be so lush and enchanting. I want it to be fantastically beautiful, but also have an ominous dystopian feeling. I should have stuck more...
2022-04-04 22:06:04 +0000 UTC View Post
Another month down, another content lineup in the chamber. Hope all are keeping well, and keeping busy. Let's do this!
2022-04-02 20:17:26 +0000 UTC View Post
Compulsory tile portion of the lesson. Are you getting the hang of making tiles yet?
2022-03-29 15:49:00 +0000 UTC View Post
All kinds of spooks live under the wings of the big D.
2022-03-29 15:47:11 +0000 UTC View Post
The goal here is to provide a base model one can build their own design upon. Get that man some clothes!
2022-03-29 15:45:45 +0000 UTC View Post
This download link includes Tutorial 101 source file(Photoshop), and Castle Town source file (Pyxel Edit), which has the tile set and NES palette preloaded. Enjoy!
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This asset pack includes all sprites and tiles presented in Pixelblog 37. Files are .png format with transparent background in native resolution.
2022-03-29 15:41:29 +0000 UTC View Post
Unearth the magic of the 8-bit classic with recreations of familiar characters, and environments.
2022-03-29 15:40:58 +0000 UTC View Post
Working on a new scene for the concept album. This was planned to be called Gentle Eyes in a World of Pain, but I'm not sure if it will ultimately be appropriate for the way this piece is shaping up. Here, our protagonist washes ashore in a strange world. I want the scene to be inviting, yet have a subtle ominous feel. Hoping that nuance will come about with the inclusion of more details, and modification to colors.
In the process, you can see my first composition was more zoomed out....
I continue to evolve the style as I progress the series. This round I started applying anti-aliasing. I was deliberately using sharp outlines to capture the anime aesthetic, but it felt too harsh at this resolution. The gals appreciate the softer look.
I have also updated the first two gals to keep the series consistent. This gal will remain exclusive to you lovely patrons.
64x64px 128x128px canvas
14 colors
Photoshop
Hey, I think I'm getting better at this. Here is your second Dot Gal. I slightly modified the style from the first version, which now uses darker outlines and includes tweaks to the facial features to look less flat. I also revised the first gal to be consistent with these subtle changes. Dark outlines kind of freak me out, but it's a strong aspect of the anime style, and it will allow a greater value range with my color selection.
64x64px 128x128px canvas
13 colors
Photoshop
Whew...take a few days off the month, and it's like it doesn't exist. Needless to say, February flew by as usual, but I'm happy with the productivity over the month. March is here, and days are already so much brighter and warmer than weeks ago. Let's make it a good one! Here's my plan.
2022-03-02 23:06:28 +0000 UTC View Post
Still working on the second scene, Man Outruns His Own Shadow. I'm getting into the nitty gritty lighting and details. I think it's almost there, but I want to try and push it a little more and see where things go. This is a lot more detailed than my typical style, so I'm kinda feeling things out to find the optimum look. I'll just keep going as long as I think I can make it better, as you can have too much detail at a certain point.
The timelapse shows the progress since last update....
Hey folks! I'm excited to kick off a new Pixel Minis series. Thanks to all who participated in the theme selection poll last week. 'Characters' took the popular vote by a definitive margin. Interestingly, drawing people is not my strong suit, so this will be a good opportunity to bolster my skills in this area.
Introducing Dot Gals! To focus the theme into a more specific concept, I've decided to go with anime style female profile pics. I've had the urge to make a series like this for ...
Hey folks! As I mentioned in the latest schedule post, I plan to move all downloads to the $10 tier, which are currently available at the $5 tier. This change will take effect starting March 1st. Furthermore, if you are a Pixel Insider($5), these next couple weeks are the last chance to access downloads without upgrading membership.
This change comes from the sheer quantity of content I have available these days, as I feel it's become undervalued at the current $5 price. As content gro...
Ah yes, good progress this week. Man and his machine are coming to life with each pixel. Pretty saturated with details at this point, but I still want to mess with values and colors to achieve more realistic lighting. I always save the state of each session to record my progress. Check out the process so far...
Questions and comments always welcome.
Okey-dokey, let's narrow in on a theme for a new Pixel Minis series. For those not familiar, Pixel Minis are original art series limited to a 64x64px canvas. I don't have my heart set on anything specific, so I'm keeping things a bit open with general themes. Based on the most popular theme, I will come up with a more specific concept for the series. If there is no clear winner, I could possibly combine themes. Also, I would love to hear if you have other ideas not listed.
WIP! Got the composition laid out, and starting to work in the details for the second scene. Haven't quite settled on the lighting and colors... still have a ways to go. I want to keep the story open to the audience, so I won't divulge that here. The narration will be given through visuals, music, and the titles. This scene is called, Man Outruns His Own Shadow.
Also, I reworked the colors and polished up some details in the first scene. I felt the improvements are significant enough t...
Hey folks! Time for our little monthly check up. Hope y'all been having a good year so far. It's the thick of the winter in my part of the world, but I can't complain. I seem to enjoy this season more as I get older. Not having to commute makes a huge difference!
This month I will mainly be focusing on developing Shape of the Universe. The second scene is underway and I will have a new update for you this Friday. My goal is to complete at least one scene per month until the public rele...
Yo, tutorial 100! Crazy...
Full Feature
One classic example, and one original example of enemy design, along with effects for battle actions. Detailed explanation in the full feature.
2022-01-28 16:40:50 +0000 UTC View Post