Alexander Blackday

Director, Animator and Digital Artist

[alexanderblackday]

I just thought of a template for visualizing different types of lighting using basic geometric shapes.

Using perspective grids, geometric shapes will be drawn with 3D perspective. By placing one or more lights in different positions, the shadows could be colored and used as a reference for illustrations.

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Se me acaba de ocurrir una plantilla para visualizar diferentes tipos de iluminación utilizando formas geométricas básicas.

Mediante el uso de cuadrículas de perspectiva, se dibujarán formas geométricas con perspectiva 3D. Colocando una o más luces en diferentes posiciones, se podrán colorear las sombras y utilizarlas como referencia para las ilustraciones.

[alexanderblackday]

Perfecting my chibi drawing style.

[alexanderblackday]

There will only be 3 pixel art resources.

Pixel Art Templates

Pixel Art Isometric Templates

Pixel Art Patterns and Brushes

[alexanderblackday]

Pixel Art Merge Shapes

Merge Type

Union: Combine two or more shapes into one.

Combine: Removes overlaps to form a new shape.

Intersect: Obtain a shape from overlapping areas.

Subtract: Removes overlapping parts of one shape from another.

Fragment: Divide each of the intersections into different shapes.

A compound figure is made up of two or more simple geometric shapes.

With time and practice you will begin to recognize all the forms that make up things, and you will even notice different ways of getting the same result.

Use different shapes of various sizes and positions in conjunction with merge types to create unique shapes.

Identify the elements that make up an object and find a way to create each of them individually. I recommend having a sketch or a clear idea before starting.

[alexanderblackday]

Pixel Art Software

These are Pixel Art software that I have tried and recommend. They are very easy to use and need few requirements to install.

Aseprite

Download on: https://www.aseprite.org/

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Piskel

Download on: https://www.piskelapp.com/

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Pixelorama

Download on: https://orama-interactive.itch.io/pixelorama

[alexanderblackday]

Pixel Art Geometric Shapes - Level 3

The height of a 3D shape that uses diagonal lines depends on the size of its base and the number of pixels that make up its edge segments.

Resize a shape by reducing or increasing the size of its base.

A shape needs the correct use of lights and shadows to obtain the 3D effect.

Tip: Avoid pillow shading.

Depending on the face of a 3D shape that is hidden, different perspectives are obtained.

Use diagonal, horizontal and vertical lines as a guide to move shapes accurately.

Get different perspectives of a 3D shape from its base face and modify them little by little.

Use different types of outlines to create visual separation from backgrounds and other objects.

Use the bases of other shapes as a guide to create more complex shapes.

Modify 3D shapes using others of different sizes and positions.

[alexanderblackday]

Pixel Art Geometric Shapes - Level 3

Using shadows and lights will help you create volume in two-dimensional shapes.

When creating shapes in pixel art it is not always possible to draw a central line, in these cases you must make use of an imaginary line.

Increase the number of pixels in the corners to make them rounded.

Resize the vertical edge to change the height of a shape.

Use different colors to create divisions in 3D shapes, it is not always possible to create the outline of the central edge.

3D shapes in pixel art usually have an isometric projection, this method allows pixels of various geometric shapes to fit together perfectly.

Put together multiple cubes to start creating structures.

This three-dimensional cube structure is the one used in pixel art RPG video games.

In isometric projection the faces of a shape that simulate depth are the same size.

[alexanderblackday]

Pixel Art Geometric Shapes - Level 2

Use shapes of different sizes to add, join or subtract. Practice creating some compound shapes.

Complex things are formed from many simple things put together.

[alexanderblackday]

Two-dimensional geometric figures are divided into polygonal and curved.

[alexanderblackday]

Pixel Art Geometric Shapes - Level 1

Familiarize yourself with basic geometric figures because more complex figures are created from their structure.

Basic Geometric Shapes

Circle

OvalSquare

Rectangle

Rhombus

Parallelogram

Triangle

Trapezoid

Pentagon

Hexagon

Heptagon

Octagon

Use shapes to subtract others, this is the beginning to create everything.

[alexanderblackday]

Pixel Art Curves - Level 3

Combine different segments of circles and ovals to create all kinds of curves.

[alexanderblackday]

Pixel Art Curves - Level 2

You can get all kinds of curves from segments of circles and ovals of different sizes.

All specialized pixel art software has tools to create circles and ovals so you get perfect curves.

Use guides and the shift key to have perfect circles.

[alexanderblackday]

Pixel Art Curves - Level 1

Use segments of circles to obtain curves, small circles for tight curves and large circles for open curves.

[alexanderblackday]

If you want to start with pixel art, I recommend a program created exclusively for that, it will save you a lot of problems.

I use Piskel and Adobe Photoshop as a complement.

[alexanderblackday]

Pixel Art Diagonal Lines - Level 3

By moving a diagonal line pixel by pixel you can notice how the dominance of pixels at the next angle emerges with greater presence while maintaining a harmonic pattern.

The diagonal line segments are less when approaching angles of 90° 180° 270° and 360°.

The pattern of the segments that make up the diagonal lines can change depending on their length, remember to start from angles of 45° 135° 225° and 315°.

[alexanderblackday]

Pixel art is teaching me to be more precise in my art, one pixel out of place and something good can look bad.

[alexanderblackday]

Pixel Art Diagonal Lines - Level 2

To obtain diagonal lines in pixel art it is better to use a software like Piskel, although not all the segments are the same, they always follow a constant pattern.

The different segments that make up a diagonal line in pixel art vary according to their length and angle.

Pixel art needs perfection to look good, the pattern of the segments that make up a straight line must be constant.