Pixel Art Details

Title:	Cat of Gold
Pixel Artist:	iLKke (Level 8 Guerrilla :: 21334 points)
Posted:	3/13/2008 2:43:57 PM
Palette:	16 colors
Statistics:	91 comments :: 238 favorites :: 0 avatars
A bit of an oldskool romp. I felt like practicing 'shape-bluffing', a method for adding abstract detail often used when pixeling logos in the days of teh skene, and also employed by some game artists as well (Dan and Henk, most notably). I thought I might find the practice useful for game graphics. Also I kinda missed working with a saucy 16-color ramp :D Possibly unconsciously influenced by Achewood. All you asymmetry cultists, enjoy!

Top Pixel Art - March 2008 (#1)

What do you think?

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Different55 (Level 1 Thug) at 1/12/2013 8:08:10 AM

I saw it, checked the amount of colors, then did a double take and zoomed all the way in to stare at it. You are a wizard.

kaze19th (Level 2 Kukyu) at 12/7/2012 2:28:39 AM

... Perfect.

Neela (Level 1 Rookie) at 3/26/2012 11:33:53 AM

I looked for gradients but all I found was incredible clever pixeling. Beautiful.

Jackman941 (Level 1 Rookie) at 11/8/2011 8:26:42 AM

HOW DID YOU DO THAT?!

underb0ss (Level 3 Stalker) at 10/19/2011 3:14:30 PM

Your dithering is the best.

HummingBird (Level 1 Thug) at 2/27/2011 5:23:47 AM

Hmm... I think that that's a dog, not a cat. But you know it better! And only 16 colors! wow...

Oasis (Level 1 Depressed) at 1/9/2011 2:32:21 PM

Best in existence. Period.

|||| (Level 6 SWAT) at 12/28/2010 4:00:43 PM

Amazing colors, textures.. holy gaucamole.

Zedeem (Level 1 Depressed) at 12/24/2010 4:52:41 AM

I love it. I wonder how you guys choose so nice colors.. I can't :(((

Conzeit (Level 1 Rookie) at 12/21/2010 10:53:16 PM

I NO GET SHAPEBLUFfiNG, SIR

Psychotron-3000 (Level 5 Detective) at 10/21/2010 10:42:13 PM

You have a mastery of metallic texturing and non metallic metal. And in PIXELS! I admire you, sir.

thick (Level 1 Rookie) at 10/17/2010 3:29:22 AM

Superb greebling!

KrypToniTe (Level 5 Soldier) at 10/10/2010 1:50:30 AM

Now this is some art. Great colors you have here. Love it.

EdJr (Level 6 Yonkyu) at 8/27/2010 3:35:33 PM

We can't see the dithering, as perfect as it is. I love the details, the originality, the colors, everything.

weezllane (Level 2 Quiet One) at 7/7/2010 11:53:57 AM

Love this. Nicely done.

TheZakMan (Level 2 Kukyu) at 5/1/2010 7:48:17 PM

legendary.

Spikrodd (Level 1 Rookie) at 3/2/2010 6:44:55 AM

I still can't fathom how some people can make ceramics usiong such a small number of colors

GormenGhast (Level 5 Detective) at 1/13/2010 8:46:01 AM

This is absolutely outstanding. There's probably a couple of life size ones of these either side of the doors to the Bitmap Brothers kingdom.

Shoopzation (Level 1 Depressed) at 12/2/2009 2:32:12 PM

..P-..PIX-....EL ART???!??!?!?! PIXEL ART!!?!??!?!

GREATTTT!!!!!! 11111111111111111111111999999999/1!!

Arthurio (Level 1 Rookie) at 9/2/2009 6:04:29 AM

Is it really pixel art ? *_______*

Incredible !

Splocket (Level 1 Rookie) at 8/26/2009 2:30:41 PM

Stunning.

wenruto (Level 5 Killer Klown) at 6/18/2009 6:56:31 PM

AWESOMENESS

Pumpkinbot (Level 2 Peon) at 6/4/2009 2:51:05 PM

Kitteh? :D 5/5

crisis (Level 1 Rookie) at 6/4/2009 9:50:25 AM

Cute! (creepy, too)
Yes, it does kinda look Achewoody :) At least it's not 3/4 naked...or we don't think it is, anyway...
Anyway, really neat ^^ Love the shading.

Karzahnii (Level 1 Rookie) at 5/13/2009 4:19:31 PM

11 Awesome's. Make that 12.

lucas_irineu (Level 8 Cannibal) at 4/20/2009 12:50:23 PM

Wow, thats awesome man.

Arboris (Level 2 Petty Officer) at 4/20/2009 8:16:01 AM

Thats just awesome :o

Deyman (Level 1 Private) at 4/13/2009 6:00:56 PM

Omg iLKke, wow! Amazing. The lightning is just fantastic! Svaka cast! ^^

fawful (Level 6 Yonkyu) at 2/11/2009 3:09:36 PM

......awesome.

If your work didn't impress me,at least it would make me want to experiment with colours.

Very,very impressive.

adin (Level 1 Private) at 7/20/2008 3:51:47 AM

thats so awesome

Chapelier Toque (Level 1 Rookie) at 6/24/2008 9:50:27 AM

no gallery, i'm just a critic, i'm learning pixel art...

a newcommer at Pixelation...

thanks for yours answers

iLKke (Level 8 Guerrilla) at 6/24/2008 2:40:30 AM

@CT: Thanks. It's nice to see someone who's versed in the ways of old. Pixelation is a nice place for theoretical threads on pixel art, so you might find it interesting, if you're not already a member.

Too bad your gallery is empty.
Is there a place one can see your work? Or are you just a critic? :)

Chapelier Toque (Level 1 Rookie) at 6/19/2008 12:40:18 PM

I thinks Dan Malone used two methods to fill in the gaps with highlights : "blocky" shapes to multiplicate the edges, and metal surfaces (reflection).
demosceners used over-highlighing, it make their characters very "metal-ish" and hypnotic, but also "plastic".
Dan used a special lighting and colors to get a feel "dark-dramatic". i found this contrast highlights/gloomy in your Cat of gold... it's like Speedball 2 (game over, version OCS-ECS) and Chaos engine (portraits), EXCELLENT !

iLKke (Level 8 Guerrilla) at 6/19/2008 2:25:39 AM

@CT: Exactly. I'm glad not everyone finds the idea too confusing.

Chapelier Toque (Level 1 Rookie) at 6/18/2008 1:35:13 AM

very Malone-like . He also used the forms "blocky" to increase the depth in his pictures. And give to his characters a look "hard/severe."

Shape-bluffing here :
http://www.gfxzone.org/personal/rork/01/rork-kleeuma.html
http://www.mobygames.com/game/amiga/gods/screenshots/gameShotId,73405/
http://www.gfxzone.org/personal/madd/01/madd-logo_mystic.html
http://www.gfxzone.org/personal/pix/01/pix-panel_digital_chips_menu.html
in the logos, put relief to fill the gaps ...

iLKke (Level 8 Guerrilla) at 5/21/2008 7:01:09 AM

Ok, several people asked about this 'shape-bluffing' thing, so here goes.
SB(tm) is an ad-hoc term I coined while writing the text, but the technique has been used widely on the demoscene, especially on logos and such. It has also been used by 'real-life' artists, such as Bacon or Dali.
In pixel art, it's a method of adding 'topographic' detail to avoid having large featureless areas that can be hard to shade nicely with few colors. Shape bluffing differs from adding real detail in that it makes no sense, it's just something that looks nice but couldn't really exist. It is in fact abstract, like when you draw smoke or water, and don't really think about the shape itself.
If you tried to make a 3d object based on this picture, you'd find out that it is not really clear what is where, etc, and you sure as hell could never make it have lights and shadows like those in the picture.

brunocompuit (Level 1 Jukyu) at 5/12/2008 6:37:17 AM

One day learn to create this style. I love these scenes and the passage of soft colors. great

nooodl (Level 1 Depressed) at 5/11/2008 10:47:40 PM

Oooh! Pretty. I love the lighting.

Josiah (Level 9 Federal Agent) at 5/4/2008 7:39:28 PM

Neat colors, dithering was done very well.

Artsu (Level 1 Rookie) at 5/3/2008 9:53:57 AM

Am I the only one who sees something else than a nose and an upper-lip there? :D Anyway awesum job, keep it up! :)

happy bacchus (Level 1 Thug) at 4/27/2008 6:54:29 PM

I knew this piece was going for something BIG

pain (Level 9 Nidan) at 4/21/2008 6:04:22 AM

khmmm... has a500 feel to it ... :D

Seeg (Level 1 Gangster) at 4/10/2008 11:48:53 PM

Simply unbelievable.

Fool (Level 6 SWAT) at 4/2/2008 3:36:57 AM

Brilliant piece=)

JahJah (Level 1 Rookie) at 3/20/2008 10:47:10 PM

Exelent! The calculated pixelation is great, and a piece to learn from.

Alenius (Level 1 Rookie) at 3/20/2008 3:33:10 PM

Piece of Art! Masterpiece! Man, it's as good as The DaVinci Code!

iLKke (Level 8 Guerrilla) at 3/20/2008 8:24:56 AM

Thanks for the nice comments, everyone.

Elephant (Level 1 Depressed) at 3/20/2008 2:32:14 AM

That is incredible, I have no idea how that can actually be a pixel looks like much, much more.

Lawrence (Level 10 Operative) at 3/19/2008 8:56:16 AM

Excellent lighting.

AndyOaks (Level 1 Rookie) at 3/18/2008 4:43:15 AM

You have a very clean style.
Reminds me of Dan 'bitmap brothers' Malone artwork.
Great job!

rabidbaboy (Level 4 Shichikyu) at 3/17/2008 10:30:13 PM

The preview has "ilkke" written all over it.
Very nice, you should teach me how to do that.

Pok3' (Level 2 Quiet One) at 3/17/2008 11:38:13 AM

Man! that's absolutely perfect. +fav

rajkosk8 (Level 5 Detective) at 3/16/2008 4:50:17 AM

ilkke ............true master of inspiration!!!!

curtasdf (Level 1 Jukyu) at 3/15/2008 10:08:09 PM

Whoa. Incredible dithering. Fav'd.

4tochkin (Level 1 Intern) at 3/15/2008 4:36:47 PM

cool :)

Brokencode (Level 1 Rookie) at 3/15/2008 7:39:30 AM

wow impressive

redscorp (Level 1 Rookie) at 3/15/2008 5:02:04 AM

cool!

vedsten (Level 2 Flatfoot) at 3/15/2008 4:21:43 AM

Great job. Extra points for not mirroring it!

Vital (Level 5 Sniper) at 3/15/2008 4:19:30 AM

Just awesome=) Greetings;*:D

Elwin (Level 5 Sniper) at 3/15/2008 12:49:57 AM

Haha, this is really great (: Inspired me to do something shiny, so back to work with me :D

Zweckform (Level 3 Corporate Drone) at 3/14/2008 11:58:28 PM

like it. nice colours and dithering.

FrostPumpkin (Level 6 Serial Killer) at 3/14/2008 10:37:09 AM

awesome palette, great ditherings, very smooth.
And the sort of cubic shapes looks really well, 7/7, perfect

Reo (Level 11 Admiral) at 3/14/2008 9:19:58 AM

Awesome!Etc!

SynZygfryda (Level 1 Rookie) at 3/14/2008 7:56:49 AM

A.B. (Level 8 Cannibal) at 3/14/2008 7:29:51 AM

Frost (Level 6 Serial Killer) at 3/14/2008 7:11:03 AM

Very good, as allways...

PixelSpy (Level 5 Captain) at 3/14/2008 6:37:49 AM

Your understanding of shading and the implementation is amazing. Really good work

Rompecabras (Level 1 Thug) at 3/14/2008 6:25:43 AM

great great great!!! I love that strong edges and the way you managed the colours through them. Smooth!!

And also it seems to be a heavy golden head. Really good and hard work!

Too much knowledge, technique and care here!!

Gas 13 (Level 9 Necrophiliac) at 3/14/2008 6:19:59 AM

Beautiful!

tocky (Level 3 Hatchet Man) at 3/14/2008 6:13:44 AM

that is extremely tasty, ilkke. be warned that I am planning to one day break into your house and steal all your talent.

Metaru (Level 8 Brigadier General) at 3/14/2008 5:47:09 AM

in fact, it has Ilkke written everywere

Setzer (Level 8 Cannibal) at 3/14/2008 4:58:22 AM

meow

Slemsvamp (Level 6 Serial Killer) at 3/14/2008 4:31:37 AM

I rly hope I one day have this standard on my peices

warleygp (Level 3 Private Eye) at 3/13/2008 10:28:04 PM

O.O" High Level of details... only with 16 colors!

Broli (Level 3 Private Eye) at 3/13/2008 6:18:07 PM

Wow, you are so great at creating pixels. I wish I were at least half as talented as you are. Great piece ilkke, it looks so awesome.

Indigo (Level 2 Flatfoot) at 3/13/2008 5:35:57 PM

I love the palette man. great work

Larwick (Level 8 Regional Boss) at 3/13/2008 5:33:28 PM

Oh f**koff lol. This is so tasty.
I really wanna try this 'style' oneday.

Dirteater (Level 1 Private) at 3/13/2008 5:23:32 PM

iLKke, you made me soil myself...i hope your happy!

p.s Eep <3

skamocore (Level 11 CEO) at 3/13/2008 5:18:12 PM

This must be the work of the brainslug...it's causing you to pixel cats instead of dogs :O

tomic (Level 11 Admiral) at 3/13/2008 5:17:46 PM

yey, seeing the preview it was obvious who is behind. top-notch as always.. and top-down (in terms of lightsource), why change something your fans are used to =D

metal shading is just awesome, damn, i've recently started a logo here. now, halfway finished watching your piece, i needa work over the whole piece or clarify my letters made of stone, thank you

edit: always thought i don't like cats, but it seems that if they are coated with gold and only consist of a head i want to stick them on my cars gearshift, yey, this one on the gearshift would be awesome =P

skeddles (Level 11 Psychopath) at 3/13/2008 5:09:06 PM

Shape-bluffing?! Why are I not know this?!(what is it?)

Great colors... And everything else!

dumbo (Level 3 Private Eye) at 3/13/2008 5:07:45 PM

Wonderful work here mate...

TheFox (Level 1 Seaman) at 3/13/2008 3:40:19 PM

I love the shading and I love the detail but the face seems kind of off to me. Almost like one side is bigger than the other.

Mykola (Level 2 Flatfoot) at 3/13/2008 3:31:57 PM

seriously ilkke you're soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.... http://despicable.org !!!!!!!!!!!!

leel (Level 5 Killer Klown) at 3/13/2008 3:19:34 PM

gawgeous ;)

Darth Mandarb (Level 10 Operative) at 3/13/2008 3:13:28 PM

holy dithering smithereens!

Excellent work!

alkaline (Level 6 Yonkyu) at 3/13/2008 3:09:03 PM

oh my god,

this is awesome.
you have some of the best color choices, and the smoothness is lsdkjflkajflaksjfa

HMC (Level 6 Serial Killer) at 3/13/2008 2:48:40 PM

That is pretty amazing, but then again why would I expect anything less.

Doppleganger (Level 6 Yonkyu) at 3/13/2008 2:47:58 PM

That's some kickass pixeling. I do love cats and gold and shapes! Super lovely colors btw. :)

soda (Level 10 President) at 3/13/2008 2:45:25 PM

Nice work, very stylish.

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