Brand new to pixel art, looking for some direction

[Sandcastles]

Hi everyone,
so basically i've decided to try pixel art, I do have some ability and background in art primarily painting. anyways I've been mucking around with graphics gale for a few days now but i just feel like i really lack direction and won't get very far without some help.

Is there anything in particular any of you would recommend me doing whilst trying to learn pixel art or some basic exercises to do whilst i'm starting out that i could then be critiqued on?

[Seiseki]

Just draw something, anything. As long as you find it interesting/fun.
If you're used to drawing, try a game mockup or a scene.

Also, this tutorial is great, http://www.pixeljoint.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=11299
Make sure you read up on stuff like banding, how to make curves and anti-aliased lines.

[Sandcastles]

awesome, thanks for your help!

[Arne]

If you're used to painting with a brush, it's helpful to imagine that pixel art is like painting with a rather large brush on a small-ish canvas, forcing you to do certain exaggerations, simplifications and detail reductions, for the sake of readability.