Pixel Art Master Course - Beginner to Professional/Freelance from Udemy

This course teaches everything about pixel art for video games. From the very basics to the advanced techniques. Students will learn about lines, shapes, color theory and harmony, creating a color palette, designing characters, backgrounds, items, making animation and even how to start freelancing. You will also learn a lot about game design principles.

If you are new to art or pixel art and want to create better art for your indie games then this course is for you.

This course is always growing with new lessons (you can check the future planned lessons in a document available on the Discord server). If there is a topic that you would like me to cover, you can message me and I will make it. I am on Udemy and Discord server every day so you can easily get into contact with me.

Discord (3000+ members) also provides certain benefits once you reach a certain role on the server such as getting access to exclusive channels. The wonderful community there also provides a place for you to share your work, get feedback or even just hang out and chill with people of similar interest. Connect and work with other people on game jams (if you want). Yes, even if you want to find game coders and music compositors (or if you're one who's looking for an artist). There are also indie devs who code and do the art themselves.

This course will strengthen your foundations in art and pixel art. It will build your confidence in your art and give you the information you need to continue improving your pixel art and start making money.

By the time you finish the course, you will already have a portfolio for different game genres with practical game design.

This course has 3 big parts: beginner [B], intermediate [I] and advanced [A]. Each section is marked with a letter inside square brackets at the end of it's title with corresponding difficulty.

I am available on Udemy and Discord every day - to give you feedback, to help you overcome your limits, to help you become a better artist in fun and relaxing way. I'm here for you every step of the way if you need me.

Languages and subtitles: entire course is available in multiple languages. English subtitles have been manually reviewed, fixed and they work properly. Please note that other languages for subtitles have been auto-translated from english language. While I'm aware it's not a perfect solution, it should be of great use.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Learn how to create both simple and complex pixel art! objects, characters, environment, animations - all of it!
Build your own game art with prototypes!
Where to find clients, how to talk to them and how much to charge for your work!

You will learn to design and animate pixel art for all game genres (e.g. rpg, platformer, top-down)
Get access to discord server where you can work on real projects with other people

Learn how to create both simple and complex pixel art! objects, characters, environment, animations - all of it!
Build your own game art with prototypes!
Where to find clients, how to talk to them and how much to charge for your work!
You will learn to design and animate pixel art for all game genres (e.g. rpg, platformer, top-down)
Get access to discord server where you can work on real projects with other people

Syllabus

Getting started

How this course works

IMPORTANT! 2024 Update

What software to use? Free or paid?

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Develops a strong foundation in pixel and game art, which is core for aspiring game developers

Interactive materials, such as games, allow learners to engage deeply with course content

Teaches industry-standard, widely-used technologies and tools

Classes taught by experienced and accomplished game artist

Access to an interactive community gives learners spaces to collaborate and share their work

Reviews summary

Comprehensive pixel art for games & freelance

According to learners, this course is a highly comprehensive resource that takes students from absolute beginner to a level where they can confidently create pixel art for games and even pursue freelancing. Students consistently praise the instructor's clear and engaging teaching style, finding the lessons easy to follow and well-structured, covering everything from foundational concepts like lines, shapes, and color theory to advanced topics like animation and creating full game assets. Many highlight the practical challenges as particularly useful for applying learned skills. The inclusion of a supportive Discord community and sections on freelancing are frequently mentioned as unique positive aspects, making it more than just an art course. While some mention that certain advanced topics could potentially go deeper, the overall sentiment is overwhelmingly positive, recommending it as a solid foundation.

Useful advice for professional work.

"The section on freelancing is a huge bonus and provides practical advice."

"Learning how to find clients and price my work was very helpful."

"It's rare to find a course that covers the business side like this one does."

Supportive and active learning environment.

"The Discord community linked with the course is incredibly helpful and supportive."

"Getting feedback on my work from the community was invaluable."

"It's great to connect with other learners and share progress."

Exercises help apply learned skills.

"The challenges after each section are great for practicing and solidifying what you've learned."

"I found the practical exercises really helped me improve."

"Doing the challenges pushed me to apply the techniques immediately."

Excellent starting point for newcomers.

"As someone new to pixel art, this course was perfect for getting started."

"It truly starts from zero knowledge and builds up your skills effectively."

"Even if you've never drawn before, the early lessons make it approachable."

Instructor is easy to understand and follow.

"The instructor explains everything clearly and makes complex topics easy to grasp."

"His teaching style is engaging, and I never felt lost during the lessons."

"I appreciate how well the concepts are broken down step-by-step."

Covers basics to advanced techniques.

"This course is really comprehensive! It covers everything from the very basics to some advanced techniques."

"I started as an absolute beginner in pixel art, and this course guided me through all the necessary steps, from drawing simple lines to complex animations."

"It provides a strong foundation and builds upon it, tackling various topics like character design, environments, and even freelancing."

Advanced areas could be more detailed.

"While comprehensive, I felt some of the more advanced animation techniques could have been explored in greater detail."

"Perhaps some specific topics could be expanded upon in future updates."

"It provides a good overview of advanced topics, but for mastery, I might need additional resources in those specific areas."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Pixel Art Master Course - Beginner to Professional/Freelance with these activities:

Attend Pixel Art Community Events

Show steps

Participate in pixel art community events to connect with other artists, exchange ideas, and learn from experienced professionals.

Browse courses on Pixel Art

Show steps

Find local or online pixel art community events.
Attend the events and introduce yourself to other participants.
Share your work, get feedback, and learn from others.

Review Pixel Art on the Go by David Tate

Show steps

Review foundational pixel art concepts and techniques to strengthen the foundation of your learning from the course before it begins.

Show steps

Read the introduction and Chapter 1.
Look through the case studies.
Choose three images you like and describe why.

Pixel Art Resource Collection

Show steps

Create a collection of valuable pixel art resources (tutorials, tools, assets) to support your learning and growth as an artist.

Browse courses on Pixel Art

Show steps

Identify different types of pixel art resources (e.g., tutorials, software, asset libraries).
Search online and explore various platforms to gather high-quality resources.
Organize and categorize the resources based on their purpose and relevance.
Share your resource collection with others and seek feedback for potential improvements.

13 other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all 16 activities

Pixel Art Critique Group

Show steps

Gain valuable insights by sharing your pixel art with peers, receiving constructive feedback, and offering your own to improve your creations.

Browse courses on Peer Feedback

Show steps

Join or create a pixel art critique group.
Share your work and actively participate in feedback discussions.
Be open to constructive criticism and use it to refine your work.

Pixel Art Canvas Exercise

Show steps

Practice drawing basic pixel art shapes and objects on a canvas to improve your control and precision.

Browse courses on Pixel Art

Show steps

Open your preferred pixel art software.
Create a new canvas with a small resolution (e.g., 16x16 pixels).
Use basic shapes (lines, circles, squares) to draw simple objects like a tree, a house, or a character.
Experiment with different colors and shading techniques to add depth and detail.
Save your canvas and share it with others for feedback.

Pixel Art Basics

Show steps

Review the core concepts of creating pixel art to strengthen your foundation.

Browse courses on Pixel Art

Show steps

Revisit the concepts of lines, shapes, and shading.
Practice creating simple geometric shapes.
Experiment with different color palettes.

Follow tutorials on advanced pixel art techniques

Show steps

Following tutorials on advanced pixel art techniques can help you refine your skills and take your pixel art to the next level.

Browse courses on Pixel Art

Show steps

Search for tutorials on advanced pixel art techniques.
Choose a tutorial that interests you and follow it step-by-step.
Experiment with the techniques you learn.

Pixel Art Character Design Challenge

Show steps

Create a unique and visually appealing pixel art character to demonstrate your creativity and technical skills.

Browse courses on Pixel Art

Show steps

Brainstorm ideas for your character's appearance, personality, and backstory.
Sketch out different poses and expressions for your character.
Transfer your sketches to a pixel art canvas and start creating your character.
Use a variety of colors and shading techniques to bring your character to life.
Save your character and share it with others for feedback and inspiration.

Character Design Challenge

Show steps

Strengthen your character creation abilities and understanding of design principles through this hands-on challenge.

Browse courses on Character Design

Show steps

Create a character concept and backstory.
Design and draw your character in pixel art.
Animate your character's idle and walk cycle.

Contribute to Open-Source Pixel Art Projects

Show steps

Get involved in open-source pixel art projects to gain practical experience and contribute to the community.

Browse courses on Pixel Art

Show steps

Find open-source pixel art projects on platforms like GitHub.
Review the project documentation and codebase.
Identify areas where you can contribute (e.g., bug fixes, feature enhancements, asset creation).
Submit your contributions to the project and collaborate with other developers.

Practice creating isometric pixel art

Show steps

Exercises for creating isometric pixel art will help you develop better dexterity in pixel art and improve your hand-eye coordination when creating pixel art.

Browse courses on Pixel Art

Show steps

Download a template with an isometric grid.
Create a cube using the grid as a guide.
Create a sphere.
Create a cylinder.
Create a cone.
Create a pyramid.

Advanced Pixel Art Lighting Techniques

Show steps

Explore advanced pixel art lighting techniques to enhance the depth and realism of your creations.

Browse courses on Pixel Art

Show steps

Find tutorials or resources on advanced pixel art lighting techniques.
Practice different lighting setups and experiment with various light sources.
Apply your knowledge to create pixel art scenes with realistic lighting and shadows.
Share your results with others and seek feedback on your progress.

Pixel Art Portfolio Showcase

Show steps

Elevate your portfolio by creating a collection of your best pixel art pieces demonstrating your skills and creativity.

Browse courses on Portfolio Building

Show steps

Select your strongest pixel art creations.
Create a visually appealing and organized portfolio website or document.
Showcase your portfolio to potential clients or employers.

Pixel Art Game Prototype

Show steps

Create a playable pixel art game prototype to showcase your understanding of game mechanics and visual design.

Browse courses on Pixel Art

Show steps

Design the core gameplay mechanics and level layout of your game.
Create the necessary pixel art assets for your game (characters, objects, backgrounds).
Implement your game mechanics and level design using a game engine or coding language.
Test your game and gather feedback from others.
Iterate on your design and polish your prototype based on feedback.

Create a pixel art portfolio

Show steps

Creating a portfolio is an excellent way to synthesize your learning throughout the course and demonstrate your pixel art skills to potential employers.

Show steps

Decide what kind of portfolio you want to create (e.g., website, PDF, physical portfolio).
Gather your best pixel art work.
Create a title and description for each piece.
Organize your portfolio in a logical way.
Get feedback from others on your portfolio.

Design and develop a pixel art game

Show steps

Putting your new pixel art skills to the test by creating a game will not only help you solidify your understanding of pixel art, but it will also give you a better understanding of game design and development.

Show steps

Come up with a game concept.
Design the game's levels.
Create the game's graphics.
Program the game.
Test and debug the game.

Career center

Learners who complete Pixel Art Master Course - Beginner to Professional/Freelance will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Pixel Artist

Pixel Artists create pixel art for video games, movies, and other forms of entertainment. This course is designed to teach you everything you need to know about pixel art, from the very basics to the advanced techniques. You will learn how to create both simple and complex pixel art, as well as how to design and animate pixel art for all game genres. This course may also help you get a job as a Pixel Artist by giving you the skills and knowledge you need to create a strong portfolio.

See salaries and explore the career path for Pixel Artist

Game Artist

Game Artists create the visual assets for video games, including characters, backgrounds, and objects. This course can help you build a foundation in pixel art, which is a valuable skill for Game Artists to have. You will learn how to create both simple and complex pixel art, as well as how to design and animate pixel art for all game genres. This may also help you get a job as a Game Artist by giving you the skills and knowledge you need to create a strong portfolio.

See salaries and explore the career path for Game Artist

Freelance Artist

Freelance Artists work for themselves and provide their services to clients on a contract basis. This course can help you build a foundation in pixel art, which is a valuable skill for Freelance Artists to have. You will learn how to create both simple and complex pixel art, as well as how to design and animate pixel art for all game genres. This course also teaches you how to start freelancing, including how to find clients, how to talk to them, and how much to charge for your work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Freelance Artist

Indie Game Developer

Indie Game Developers create and develop video games independently. This course can help you build a foundation in pixel art, which is a valuable skill for Indie Game Developers to have. You will learn how to create both simple and complex pixel art, as well as how to design and animate pixel art for all game genres. This course also teaches you how to start freelancing, including how to find clients, how to talk to them, and how much to charge for your work. This may also help you get a job as an Indie Game Developer by giving you the skills and knowledge you need to create a strong portfolio.

See salaries and explore the career path for Indie Game Developer

Game Designer

Game Designers create the overall design of video games, including the game's story, characters, levels, and gameplay. This course can help you build a foundation in pixel art, which is a valuable skill for Game Designers to have. You will learn how to create both simple and complex pixel art, as well as how to design and animate pixel art for all game genres. This may also help you get a job as a Game Designer by giving you the skills and knowledge you need to create a strong portfolio.

See salaries and explore the career path for Game Designer

Concept Artist

Concept Artists design visual concepts for video games, movies, and other forms of entertainment. This course can help you build a foundation in pixel art, which is a valuable skill for Concept Artists to have. You will learn how to create both simple and complex pixel art, as well as how to design and animate pixel art for all game genres. This course may also help you get a job as a Concept Artist by giving you the skills and knowledge you need to create a strong portfolio.

See salaries and explore the career path for Concept Artist

Technical Artist

Technical Artists create and implement visual effects for video games. This course can help you build a foundation in pixel art, which is a valuable skill for Technical Artists to have. You will learn how to create both simple and complex pixel art, as well as how to design and animate pixel art for all game genres. This course also teaches you how to start freelancing, including how to find clients, how to talk to them, and how much to charge for your work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Artist

Art Director

Art Directors oversee the visual aspects of a video game, including the game's art style, characters, and environments. This course can help you build a foundation in pixel art, which is a valuable skill for Art Directors to have. You will learn how to create both simple and complex pixel art, as well as how to design and animate pixel art for all game genres. This course also teaches you how to start freelancing, including how to find clients, how to talk to them, and how much to charge for your work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Art Director

Animator

Animators create animations for video games, movies, and other forms of entertainment. This course can help you build a foundation in pixel art, which is a valuable skill for Animators to have. You will learn how to create both simple and complex pixel art, as well as how to design and animate pixel art for all game genres. This course also teaches you how to start freelancing, including how to find clients, how to talk to them, and how much to charge for your work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Animator

Character Designer

Character Designers create the characters for video games, movies, and other forms of entertainment. This course can help you build a foundation in pixel art, which is a valuable skill for Character Designers to have. You will learn how to create both simple and complex pixel art, as well as how to design and animate pixel art for all game genres. This course also teaches you how to start freelancing, including how to find clients, how to talk to them, and how much to charge for your work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Character Designer

Environment Artist

Environment Artists create the environments for video games, movies, and other forms of entertainment. This course can help you build a foundation in pixel art, which is a valuable skill for Environment Artists to have. You will learn how to create both simple and complex pixel art, as well as how to design and animate pixel art for all game genres. This course also teaches you how to start freelancing, including how to find clients, how to talk to them, and how much to charge for your work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environment Artist

UX Designer

UX Designers design the user experience for websites, apps, and other digital products. This course can help you build a foundation in pixel art, which is a valuable skill for UX Designers to have. You will learn how to create both simple and complex pixel art, as well as how to design and animate pixel art for all game genres. This course also teaches you how to start freelancing, including how to find clients, how to talk to them, and how much to charge for your work.

See salaries and explore the career path for UX Designer

Graphic Designer

Graphic Designers create visual concepts, using computer software or by hand, to communicate ideas that inspire, inform, and captivate consumers. This course may help you get a job as a Graphic Designer by giving you the skills and knowledge you need to create a strong portfolio of pixel art.

See salaries and explore the career path for Graphic Designer

Web Designer

Web Designers create and maintain websites. They are responsible for the website's appearance, layout, and functionality. This course may help you get a job as a Web Designer by giving you the skills and knowledge you need to create a strong portfolio of pixel art.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Designer

Art teacher

Art Teachers teach visual arts, such as drawing, painting, sculpture, and design. This course can help you build a foundation in pixel art, which is a valuable skill for Art Teachers to have. You will learn how to create both simple and complex pixel art, as well as how to design and animate pixel art for all game genres. This course also teaches you how to start freelancing, including how to find clients, how to talk to them, and how much to charge for your work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Art teacher