Best application to use for pixel art

[tinytheghost]

What application should I use for pixel art? I feel a bit overwhelmed with all the different applications, I was wondering what everyone else uses.
Currently I've been using the website Pixilart.com, but I'm finding myself away from home often and Pixilart requires internet to save your work.

[Retronator]

There's also an interactive version of this if you go to Retronator HQ Store and type in TALK TO RETRO. After intro select "I want to get started with pixel art. What do I need?".

[DawnBringer]

GrafX2

[Kiana]

I feel it’s worth mentioning that GraphicsGale and the old version of Pyxel Edit are free, in case money is an issue. In the end, it comes down to your personal needs and preferences. I switch between Photoshop, Pyxel Edit, Graphics Gale, and Aseprite depending on what I’m working on (still images, tilesets, animations).

[tinytheghost]

I feel it’s worth mentioning that GraphicsGale and the old version of Pyxel Edit are free, in case money is an issue. In the end, it comes down to your personal needs and preferences. I switch between Photoshop, Pyxel Edit, Graphics Gale, and Aseprite depending on what I’m working on (still images, tilesets, animations).

Thanks for that! I appreciate it. Would you say that Aseprite could be used for larger scale creations? Portraits or other things? I'm highly considering Aseprite because of it's simplicity, but I feel like simplicity is also a flaw. It seems super reliable and nice to work with.

[eishiya]

Aseprite can absolutely be used for larger creations! I personally prefer programs that support pressure sensitivity for such pieces, but if your workflow doesn't require that, Aseprite's great. Its "shading" mode is particularly good for such pieces.

[Ai]

As usual with this question, be more specific You want to do portraits? What else? Animated sprites? Tilesets?



I strongly agree with the practice of switching apps as opposed to 'one app to rule them all', because this focuses learning better.
(eg. even though I like GIMP and Krita, I would not recommend either of them for learning pixel art because of how many non-pixel-art things they contain. When learning pixel art, it's good to use a tool that offers you *only* things related to pixel art, because you'll then spend more time fighting with the medium itself than fighting with your tool)

Grafx2 is my general recommendation (having features for both animation and tilesets, as well as a good general complement of functionality). Aseprite has more sophisticated animation, but I find actually using Aseprite clunky.

Most of the things mentioned so far have their supported platforms and free/nonfree status recorded in Retronator's graph. With the notable exception of Grafx2, which is free and available on Windows, Linux, and (I think) Mac. Has been ported to phones too but I can't vouch for how well that platform works.

Whatever you pick, I'd suggest making sure it has customizable keyboard shortcuts. They're another way to streamline your work process / remove unnecessary complications.