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SqdPxl — Pixel background tutorial

#background #bg #colors #desert #natural #nature #pixel #scene #scenery #sky #tutorial #how
Published: 2017-01-10 09:19:13 +0000 UTC; Views: 17473; Favourites: 485; Downloads: 75
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Description EDIT: I'm keeping this tutorial up since some peeps still find it useful, but now that I know a bit more about composing BGs I want to point out an obvious mistake I made in this piece!

When creating a BG, try to watch your values and make sure the BG has clearly defined areas of light and dark. This BG is kind of weak because it's mostly mid-tones.



I'm no expert on this subject, but people occasionally ask me how I do my backgrounds, so here's an attempt to explain my methods! Even if you're not a pixel artist, I definitely recommend trying some tiny pixel backgrounds if backgrounds are something you struggle with - it's a great way to get used to playing with colors/composition without getting too hung up on details.

I do all of my art in sai, but the basic ideas here should apply to any art program. Here's a link to another tutorial that shows my pixel brush setup: didthesqd.deviantart.com/art/M…

Here's a great video for learning sai's functions if you've never used it before: www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcjepT…

Here's an interesting video that goes more in depth about composition: www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8i7OK…

And here's a great series of videos if you want to learn perspective for man-made environments: www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCW9D2…
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Comments: 17

kiddo-link [2018-04-20 07:04:52 +0000 UTC]

Very good!

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

Cilexa [2017-01-11 00:12:47 +0000 UTC]

You are the pixel master

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HyperWaddleDee [2017-01-10 22:28:42 +0000 UTC]

Whoa, mind blown. I'm only a beginner at pixeling, so this is incredibly fascinating. Thank you for posting this!

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Shalmons [2017-01-10 13:37:54 +0000 UTC]

THANK U~

((not only should i practice BGs just because, but i have a potential small game project in the future that would require at least one major BG outta me, lol))

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SqdPxl In reply to Shalmons [2017-01-10 14:11:53 +0000 UTC]

NO PROB I HOPE IT HELPS~

and ooh O: i'll be interested to see that project!

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Shalmons In reply to SqdPxl [2017-01-10 14:42:29 +0000 UTC]

lol we'll have to see if it goes anywhere!
(the good news is i'd only be doing art--as long as someone else is working on making the game act like a game, it has a chance, haha)

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Arichy [2017-01-10 11:26:02 +0000 UTC]

yay! amazing tutorial! 

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SqdPxl In reply to Arichy [2017-01-10 11:34:00 +0000 UTC]

ty! 8D

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Nythero [2017-01-10 11:17:37 +0000 UTC]

AAAAAAAAAASJDJDJFJJFJFHFJBFF
UR AMAZING THANK YOU SO MUCH!!
Swooshies tho?

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

SqdPxl In reply to Nythero [2017-01-10 11:20:59 +0000 UTC]

AAA TY I HOPE YOU FOUND IT USEFUL O: 

and yup GOTTA HAVE SWOOSHIES

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Nythero In reply to SqdPxl [2017-01-13 02:05:17 +0000 UTC]

SO USEFUL
IDK HOW TO SWOOSHIE THO

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SqdPxl In reply to Nythero [2017-01-13 11:22:02 +0000 UTC]

Look hur! 

smooth binary brush = the swooshy brush :>

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Nythero In reply to SqdPxl [2017-01-13 11:58:42 +0000 UTC]

OOOOOOOOOOO
•O•
THANK YOU

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Dracorev [2017-01-10 09:47:00 +0000 UTC]

omfg this is wonderful thank you so much for this

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SpectrumStarchild [2017-01-10 09:41:18 +0000 UTC]

so cool!!!

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Kazutsu [2017-01-10 09:24:01 +0000 UTC]

Bless you for making this! <3

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PalieFox [2017-01-10 09:21:54 +0000 UTC]

amazing <3

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