Editing Pixel art (section)

==Overview==
[[File:Pixel art Wizard Portrait.svg|thumb|300px|Approximations of continuous color gradients are possible in pixel art despite the focus on the visibility of individual pixels.]]
===Definition===
The majority of pixel artists agree that an image can only be categorized as pixel art when the pixels play an important individual role in the [[composition (visual arts)|composition]] of the artwork, which usually requires deliberate control over the placement of each individual pixel. When purposefully editing in this way, changing the position of a few pixels can have a drastic effect on the image. Modern pixel art software incorporates tools that automatically place multiple pixels at once (such as fill tools, line tools, and brush tools), therefore defining pixel art as "art in which an artist has placed each individual pixel" is not accurate anymore. The following is a better way to interpret it: "The process that leads to the final artwork is less relevant than the final result. If the pixels play an important individual role in the final [[composition (visual arts)|composition]], it will be broadly regarded as a pixel art piece by most artists independently of the techniques that may have been implemented to achieve that result."{{Quote without source|date=July 2023}}

A common characteristic in pixel art is the low overall color count in the image. Pixel art as a medium mimics a lot of traits found in older video game graphics, rendered by machines capable of only outputting a limited number of colors at once. Additionally, many pixel artists are of the opinion that in most cases, using a large number of colors, especially when very similar to each other in value, is unnecessary, and detracts from the overall cleanliness of the image, making it look messier. Many experienced pixel artists recommend not using more colors than necessary.

===Differences from digital art===
As images get higher in resolution, pixels get harder to distinguish from each other, and the importance of their careful placement is diminished, to the point that the concept of pixel art falls apart. The exact point at which this occurs and the conditions for a piece to be reasonably called "pixel art" have been the source of great disagreement among professionals and enthusiasts.

In general, the construction of a pixel image can be very similar to that of a digital artwork, particularly during the early sketching phases. The part in which the biggest distinction is made is the final pixel-by-pixel polishing.

===Differences from Oekaki===
[[File:Wikipe-tan Oekaki and Pixel Art.png|thumb|A comparison between oekaki style (left) and pixel art (right).]]
[[wikt:oekaki|Oekaki]] is a form of digital art done at small resolutions that present many similarities with pixel art. However, in Oekaki, the placement of individual pixels is not considered as important compared to the general feel of the artwork, giving it a characteristic "messy" or jagged look.

===Automation and algorithms===
There are plenty of algorithms that have been used to facilitate the creation or editing of pixel art, such as using 3D shaders within software like [[Blender (software)|Blender]] to generate complex effects or rotating objects, that are later imported into [[#Software|pixel art software]].

There also exist many [[interpolation (computer graphics)|interpolation]] algorithms calibrated specifically for pixel art.