Pixel Art Fundamentals – Introduction to 2D Game Pixel Art

Welcome to the Fundamentals of Pixel Art for Video Games course! In this course, you will learn the essential skills and techniques needed to create pixel art assets using the popular tools LibreSprite or Aseprite. Whether you’re new to pixel art or looking to improve your 2D game art skills, this course is designed to help you achieve quick wins and develop your own unique pixel art style.

Throughout the course, you will create a complete game scene, including world objects such as furniture, simple characters, HUD overlay, icons, and more. You will learn fundamental skills such as shading, shadows, highlights, lines, dithering, perspective, and color theory. Your instructor, Reece, will provide you with tips and tricks to improve your asset creation process and be efficient in your pixel art workflow.

Even if you’re using a Mac and LibreSprite is not available, you can still follow along using alternatives such as the free or paid versions of Aseprite. All students have access to the Q&A section where instructors, teaching assistants, and the community are ready to help answer your questions and support your success.

By the end of this course, you will have created your own game scene with various pixel art assets, developed your own pixel art style, and learned how to export your creations for use in your own games or for sale. So let’s dive in and start creating awesome pixel art assets for video games!

In this course, you will learn the following:

Create high-quality game-ready pixel art assets: You will learn how to create pixel art assets that are optimized for use in video games. This includes understanding pixel art techniques such as shading, color theory, lines, dithering, shadows, and more, to create visually appealing and game-ready assets. Master the pixel art fundamentals: You will learn the fundamental skills and techniques used in pixel art, including shading, color theory, lines, dithering, shadows, and other essential elements. These fundamentals are crucial in creating pixel art assets that look professional and visually appealing. Create a game scene with game assets: You will learn how to create a complete game scene with various game assets, including world objects, characters, HUD overlays, and icons. You will also learn how to export these assets for use in a game engine, making them ready for implementation in your own games. Create animations using multiple frames: You will learn how to create animations using multiple frames and the onion skin tool. Animation is an essential aspect of many video games, and you will learn how to create smooth and appealing animations for your pixel art characters or objects. Create user interface and HUD assets: You will learn how to create user interface and HUD assets that can be used immediately in video games. This includes creating buttons, icons, menus, and other UI elements that are visually appealing and functional for game players. Use outlines to create different types of assets: You will learn how to use outlines to create various types of assets, including UI elements, in-game pickups, and in-game objects. Outlines can add depth and style to your pixel art assets, and you will learn how to use them effectively in your creations. Become competent in using LibreSprite/Aseprite software: You will become proficient in using the popular LibreSprite/Aseprite software for creating pixel art assets. This includes learning the various tools, features, and workflows in the software, so that you can efficiently create your pixel art assets.

By the end of this course, you will have a solid understanding of the fundamentals of pixel art, be able to create high-quality game-ready pixel art assets, and have the skills to implement them in your own video games. So let’s get started on your journey to become a proficient pixel artist for video games!