Last month I took a break from streaming on Twitch as CptnSumi. It wasn’t a dramatic exit, just a conscious decision to pause, reflect, and re-evaluate how streaming fits into my life. While I still love the community and chaos that comes with going live, I realized I needed space to explore other creative outlets too. That’s actually why I started this blog in the first place: to practice writing and have a space to share whatever sparks joy.
And recently, something big sparked joy: pixel art.
Pixel Art Has Been Calling Me for a Long Time
I’ve admired pixel art from afar for years. I follow so many talented pixel artists on Instagram, and I’m constantly blown away by the creativity and detail they pack into tiny grids of color. But despite my fascination, I always found it kind of intimidating. I thought: “Sure, it looks great, but where would I even start?”
Also, my attempts to draw with a tablet or pen where so few and so long ago that the idea of making art with just a mouse and some pixels felt both strangely accessible and totally overwhelming.
But then I stumbled onto a trend in the art community: artists making “starter packs” of themselves. Think of it like a little doll version of the artist, complete with accessories that capture their vibe, kind of like a personality snapshot. It looked so fun that I decided that would be my first goal.
By Pixelianska
The Tutorial Deep Dive
Once I set my mind on it, I went all in. I spent an entire day binge-watching tutorials and writing down literally everything I learned. Here’s the lineup:
- Learning Pixel Art from Scratch in 30 Days by Lynn Le
This one felt super approachable. Lynn – when creating this video – was still close to being a beginner themselves, which helped a lot. Sometimes “beginner” tutorials are made by people who forgot what it’s like to be new! - Step-By-Step Landscape Pixelart Tutorial by PixelRocket
Great tips here about color transitions. Just blending a few pixels makes such a difference. - Pixelart 101: Software by Pixel Pete
Helped me figure out what tool to use. I already had Photoshop, but quickly realized Aseprite was the better choice. - Everything You Need to Know About ASEPRITE by Watt
Watched this before I even bought Aseprite. I took notes on all the hotkeys and it made the actual process so much smoother once I got started. - How To Pixel Art In 10 Minutes by Reece Geofroy
Loved the simple breakdown of how to choose highlights and shadows, it’s more than just picking a lighter or darker color!
My First Project(s)
Originally, I planned to start by creating a pixel version of me, but… that was scary. So instead, I scrolled through Pinterest and built a little inspiration board. That’s when I found this adorable cat sprite, and I thought, “Okay, I can try to recreate this, maybe even make my own version.” So I turned all 3 of my cats into pixel cats and loved how recognizable they where.
And then, of course, a friend dared me to animate it… Thanks Pisi…
So I did.
And it was cute.
And I didn’t hate the result! 🙈
After that, it was time to make something 100% original. I needed accessories for my starter pack doll and what better to start with than my favorite drink: Club-Mate?
I’m honestly SO proud of how it turned out. I felt bold enough after that to face the big boss battle: me as a pixel doll. Human proportions are terrifying let alone when you’re zoomed in to a grid, so I decided to begin with the face. Having the Mate bottle for scale helped a lot, weirdly enough.
To figure out shapes like the nose or eyebrows, I studied tons of reference images on Pinterest. That’s also when I realized a lot of those images were made with AI, especially when lines looked weirdly off-grid. Like when something should be 2 pixels wide but sits in that uncanny valley between one and two. Definitely taught me to double-check my references.
I worked on the starter pack for three full days straight (hello hyperfocus). And when I was done, I was just happy. I haven’t felt this kind of creative satisfaction in a long time.
Why I Think I’ll Stick With Pixel Art
The best part? Pixel art feels like an instant success.
I don’t mean that I’m suddenly a pro, far from it. But the fact that I can see results so quickly is incredibly motivating. As someone who’s very likely living with undiagnosed ADHD, I need hobbies that provide immediate rewards. If something takes too long to get “good” at, I struggle to stay engaged through the early boring parts.
Pixel art gives me those little dopamine hits every step of the way. Add a pixel here? It matters. Choose a color slightly differently? Big difference. That kind of feedback loop is gold for my brain.
I’m not perfect at it, and I know I’ll grow a lot from here, but getting over that first hurdle felt amazing. I genuinely think this might become a long-term hobby.
If this post inspired you to peek into the pixel world too, feel free to reach out! I’d love to chat about it and see your attempts on BlueSky, Instagram, or Discord (you’ll usually find me as CptnSumi).💖
Until then,
stay curious,
Sumi
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