all three. usually the second method though, probably since I'm used to painting.

first method:
->
(photographed a color drawing, vectorized it, then reduced the colors and started pixelling)
another example of this method, this time with a painting:
WIP final:

second method:
->

Third method:
WIP final:
(actually more of a mix of the second and third methods, but I don't have very good WIPs of the third method alone.)

They have different advantages. For smaller stuff jumping right in with the pixels makes the most sense. Blocking everything in with a larger brush than refining is easier for larger pieces (imo anyway, even stuff down to 60x60 or less.) Sketching and scanning is usually more time consuming but can yield unexpected results, with the final piece having characteristics of your traditional work that you wouldn't have normally included had you gone pure-pixel (more on that in this thread).


Edited by cure - 19 July 2012 at 9:28am

Couldn't say how long it takes but it's definitely the most time efficient way for me to work. I start with a 3x3 or 2x2 brush, take the image as far as I can with that, then switch to a 1x1 to refine the entire image. If it isn't refinedon the pixel level then it isn't pixel art, just a pixel sketch (oekaki)

1024x800 is ridiculously huge for pixel art, I would just blow up the image to fit the screen once I've finished, I suppose. Otherwise you'll spends a solid year pixelling something gigantic.