Tutorial: Pixel Art Basics

Learn the fundamentals of creating ASCII pixel art in ASCII Motion. This tutorial covers character selection, color usage, and composition techniques.

What You'll Learn

• Choosing the right characters for different effects
• Working with colors effectively
• Creating simple shapes and patterns
• Basic composition techniques

Prerequisites

• Familiarity with the ASCII Motion interface
• Basic understanding of the drawing tools

Understanding ASCII Characters

ASCII art uses text characters to create images. Different characters have different "visual weights":

Character Density Scale

Your First ASCII Art

Let's create a simple mountain scene:

Step 1: Set Up Your Canvas

Step 2: Draw the Mountain

Step 3: Add Shading

Step 4: Add Details

Color Theory for ASCII Art

Limited Palettes Work Best

Contrast is Key

Good ASCII art needs strong contrast:

• Light characters on dark backgrounds
• Dark characters on light backgrounds
• Clear separation between elements

Common Techniques

Creating Depth

Layer your art with these techniques:

1. Foreground: Darker, more detailed
2. Midground: Medium tones
3. Background: Lighter, simpler

Edge Definition

Define shapes clearly:

Good:                    Less Clear:
████░░░                  ███▒░░░
████░░░                  ██▒░░░░
████░░░                  █▒░░░░░

Use consistent edges and clear boundaries.

Texture Patterns

Create textures with repeating patterns:

Practice Exercise: Simple Face

Create a basic face to practice:

Tool Tips for Better Art

Pencil Brush Sizes

Shape Tools

• Use Rectangle for backgrounds and frames
• Use Ellipse for rounded elements
• Use Line for straight edges

Fill Tool

• Contiguous fills connected areas only
• Global fills all matching colors
• Use tolerance for similar color fills

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Too Much Detail

❌ Problem: Cramming too many characters ✅ Solution: Leave breathing room, use fewer elements

Poor Contrast

❌ Problem: Similar colors blending together ✅ Solution: Increase contrast, use opposing values

Inconsistent Scale

❌ Problem: Elements don't match in size ✅ Solution: Plan proportions before drawing

Random Character Selection

❌ Problem: Using characters without purpose ✅ Solution: Choose characters for their visual weight

Next Steps

Now that you understand the basics:

1. Practice by recreating simple images
2. Experiment with different character sets
3. Learn animation in Creating Animations
4. Master effects in Advanced Effects

Quick Reference