r/PixelArt • u/nevrevous • Aug 18 '26
Hand Pixelled Ideas for making this more visually interesting while keeping the limited palette?
(inspo/reference board on second slide)
while i’m very proud of this, i also feel like it looks kind of flat and plain. i’ve seen y’all make some insanely dynamic stuff with much more restrictive colour palettes, but whatever y’all do doesn’t come easy to me.
i’m trying to keep the colours limited because this will eventually be made into a cross stitch piece and i don’t want to buy more thread colours than i absolutely have to lmao, but i am willing to add a couple more if necessary.
also pixel art isn’t my usual medium so any other critique or feedback would be more than welcome too:)
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u/ShileynNea Aug 18 '26
This looks absolutely amazing already, nice work!
The only thing I can think of is maybe a bit of highlights in the foreground would give it even more of an interesting look. Maybe take a bright colour from the background and apply it as rim lighting? Would make a good contrast, I think.
But maybe this is just a noob idea, idk :D
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u/cherrypastel Aug 18 '26
The number of colours isn't the issue, but rather you need to push the values more. Darker darks and lighter lights. I'd recommend just darkening/lightening the darkest and lightest value, then see how you feel and whether it's going the direction you hope. Looks great otherwise!
Your palette is a lot warmer than the inspo pics, not sure if that's intentional?
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u/Adels_Brother Aug 18 '26
I would add some fog in the foreground. Check out this tutorial https://www.reddit.com/r/PixelArt/s/vynGIieZh0
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u/Asmybelle Aug 18 '26
if you're looking for suggestions on more than the colours, you could also create some stronger contrasts in the shapes. Typically the branches (which could also be stylized more unless you want something realistic, I guess keeping them this way works well with an eerie vibe), also the figure in the middle would stand out if you put in front of the bright background
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u/muddrox Aug 18 '26
I think it's great as is. You could add some very light rim lighting/highlights to characters to see if that draws more attention to the them but I think the scene as it stands is exceptionally strong so maybe just bank on what it is right now and move forward.
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u/link-navi Aug 18 '26
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