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?

Photoshop basics

Pyxel Edit

Aseprite

Aseprite Tilemap Feature

Piskel

Create clean lines and shapes in pixel art

Intro

Lines

Challenge 1

Shapes

Challenge 2

Shading and lighting [B]

Introduction

Value and contrast basics

Negative and positive space

Basic geometric shapes

Shading a cube

Shading a sphere

Shading a cylinder

Shading a cone

Shading a pyramid

Dithering

Challenge 3

Colours and textures [B]

Hue

Saturation

Value

Basic colour theory

Colour harmony

Creating a colour palette

Simple wood texture

Simple metal texture

Applying textures to shapes

Challenge 4

Drawing simple objects [B]

Creating objects from simple geometric shapes

Drawing an orange

Drawing a potion bottle

Drawing a book

Drawing an arrow

Drawing a sword

Drawing a gun

Challenge 5

Tiles [B]

What are tiles

Tiling basics

Simple grass tile

Simple dirt tile

Simple water tile

Creating a tileset

Challenge 6

Backgrounds [B]

Drawing a simple background

Using colours and shapes to create depth

Adding reflection on water surface

Challenge 7

Basic characters [B]

Drawing 8x8 pixel art character

Drawing 16x16 pixel art character

Drawing 32x32 pixel art character

Challenge 8

Simple animation [B]

What is animation

Simple grass animation

Challenge 9.1

8x8 character walk and run animation

8x8 character attack animation

16x16 character walk and run animation

16x16 character attack animation

32x32 character walk and run animation

32x32 character attack animation

Challenge 9.2

Platformer View [I]

Cohesive colour palette

Platformer Tileset

Platformer Background

Foreground Details

Platformer Character

Platformer Character Idle and Walk/Run animations

Character Attack/Dmg/Death Animations

Platformer Enemy

Enemy Animations

Platformer Traps

Finishing the Platformer Mockup

Different types of platformer perspectives

Challenge 10

Top Down View [I]

What is Top Down View?

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, 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

Mislav's accessible pixel art guide

According to students, this course, Pixel Art Master Course - Beginner to Professional/Freelance, makes drawing pixel art accessible. Mislav shows simple ways to get immediate results. Students also largely enjoyed the lessons on shading, coloring, and the Isometric view.

Lessons on shading, coloring, and isometrics are popular with students.

"The lessons on shading, coloring, and the Isometric view are of most interest towards my personal goals."

Mislav makes drawing pixel art easy to understand with simple lessons.

"Mislav makes drawing pixel art accessible by showing simple ways to get immediate results."

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

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

Browse courses on Pixel Art

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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

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

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

Pixel Art Resource Collection

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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

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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

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Pixel Art Critique Group

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

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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

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

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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

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

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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

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

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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

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

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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

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

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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

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

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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

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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.

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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

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

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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

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

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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

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

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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

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

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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

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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.

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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

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 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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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

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