If you've been at deviantART for at least two months, chances are you've heard mentioning of something known as "Pixel Art". And unless you browse the forums, chances are you’re as clueless to what it is as I was. Well now you too can learn about and participate in this fun and inventive form of art!

What is pixel art you ask? Pixel Art, as the name might suggest, is a form of art that is created pixel by pixel from the ground up. It tends to have an old-style retro look. Similar to what old computer games might look like. Think Atari 2600 and 8-bit Nintendo type games, with a little bit more detail, and then you'll have a general idea of what pixel art looks like. Or, you can, of course, proceed to the following links for some great examples of Pixel Art.

Pixel Gundam by s1nk
PixelSCENE - inner city by blackice
PixelCITY by cheba2
PixelLINKS by blackice

Pixel Art can be created in most popular art programs such as Adobe Photoshop, Jasc's Paint Ship Pro, or even the MS Paint program that comes standard with any version of Microsoft Windows. While there are also programs that are designed specifically for Pixel Artists, MS Paint and Adobe Photoshop seem to be the most popular among Pixel Artists today.

Pixel Art, being created pixel by pixel, can become very tedious at times. It is also very time-consuming; days can be spent to create even a small image. And for a large image with much detail, well, you can simply image the time it takes, not to mention the patience of the artists that create these stunning images.

Now that you know exactly what pixel art is, you’re probably wondering, "Why?" Well, I can’t answer that myself. However, the prominent Pixel Artist blackice was kind enough to lend us his time and answer that, and several other, questions. You can read the interview with him, here!

Pixel Art has become quite popular in a short amount of time, especially here on deviantART. In just the past few weeks several changes have occurred to better accommodate Pixel Artists and make them feel at home here on DA. Changes such as a brand new category dedicated solely to Pixel Art. Art Group's such as Pixen being formed, that are based only on the ways of the pixel. And I’m sure that this is only the beginning. What other changes are to be made? Only the staff knows, but you can bet that we haven’t seen the end of them.

I hope that by now I’ve caught your interest, and that you yourself are curious as to how to get started into the world of Pixel Art. Well, I’ve included links to some of the most popular tutorials on the net, regarding the who's, what's, when's, where's and why's of Pixel Art. You should check them out and give Pixel Art a shot. Go on and put your pixeling skills up to the test!

Pixel-Zone.net
Pixelation
Computer Arts

I hope that after having read this article you all have a better understanding of what Pixel Art is and what it will be. If I’ve inspired even one of you to get into the world of Pixel Art, then that will be enough. Thanks for reading!

(Big thanks goes to Thrawn for all his help and ideas!)