Pixel art is fun! It is a form of digital art drawn with graphics software in which color is applied to individual pixels to create an image.
It didn’t die out in the nineties, and even started to regain popularity in video games.
If would like to make pixel art for artwork and video games you will need the right tools to create your pixel sprites.
When drawing Pixel Art, A lot of pixel artists work with a drawing tablet and others with a mouse.
Which one Is Better? Should you invest in a drawing tablet for pixel art, or stick with a mouse?
Both options have their advantages and disadvantages, depending on your style, preferences, and budget.
In this article, we’ll compare the pros and cons of using a tablet vs a mouse for making pixel art, and help you decide which one suits you best.
Best Pixel Art Editors
Digital art software allows you to draw on a computer will be your best ally for making pixel art.
There are also many programs available that are specifically designed for creating pixel art, such as Aseprite, GraphicsGale, and Pyxel Edit.
These programs often have features that are specifically tailored for pixel art, such as the ability to zoom in for precise pixel-level control, and a limited color palette that can be used to ensure that the final image has a consistent, retro look.
Here’s a list of software commonly used for pixel art:
Aseprite: Great professional editor with many time-saving features and yet simple to use.
Graphics Gale: A free classic japanese pixel art tool, used in many games. Excels at animation with features such as onion skinning.
Piskel: A free and open source online pixel art editor with a user gallery.
Pyxel edit: a pixel art drawing app especially designed for working with tiles. pretty good, and the price tag is quite reasonable.
Photoshop: Powerful image editor not intended to make pixel art but you can set it up to use it.
Gimp: A multi-purpose image editor, designed to be a free replacement for photoshop. Can be configured to use for pixel art.
Paint.net: A free image editing program for windows, originally intended as a replacement for MSPaint. It supports pixel art.
Krita: A free, open source graphics program. It is intended for digital painting and 2d animation but can be set up for pixel art.
What is a drawing tablet?
A graphics tablet, also known as a drawing tablet, is a popular tool for digital artists, including those who create pixel art.
It allows you to draw directly on a screen or a surface with a stylus, which mimics the feel of a pen or a brush.
There are many different types of graphics tablets available, from entry-level models to professional-grade tablets.
Some tablets come with a built-in screen, while others connect to your computer and use your computer screen.
Mouse vs Drawing Tablet for creating Pixel art: which is better?
Tablet benefits
It is much easier, natural more comfortable to draw with stylus than mouse.
The pen tablet can reduce the risk of strain or injury on your wrist, hand, and arm, as you can adopt a more ergonomic posture and movement.
Since graphics tablet allows you to point at any point of the screen very fast, it cannot just make you draw or retouch comfortably, but faster as well.
Best of all Using a stylus can give you greater control and precision in your strokes compared to using a mouse.
This can be especially useful when creating pixel art, where precisely control the size and shape of each pixel is important.
Tablet drawbacks
However, a drawing tablet can be quite expensive, especially if you want a high-quality one with a large screen and advanced features.
Secondly, a tablet without screen can have a steep learning curve, as you need to get used to the disconnect between your eye and hand.
It might take you some time and practice to get used to a tablet and master its functions.
Thirdly, a tablet can be less portable and convenient than a mouse, as you need more space to use it. You might also face compatibility or connectivity issues with different devices or platforms.
Mouse benefits
Using a mouse can have some benefits for making pixel art, especially if you’re used to it or prefer it.
A mouse can be more affordable and accessible than a tablet, as you can find one easily and cheaply in any store or online.
A mouse can also be more compatible and versatile than a tablet, as you can use it with any computer or software without any hassle.
Moreover, a mouse can be more precise and accurate than a tablet in some cases, such as when you need to make fine adjustments, edits, places or selections.
Mouse drawbacks
On the other hand, a mouse can be less intuitive and expressive than a tablet, as you have to rely on clicks and drags instead of natural strokes and gestures.
A mouse can also limit your creativity and flexibility, as you don’t have access to pressure sensitivity, tilt recognition, or other features that a tablet offers.
Secondly, a mouse can be more harmful and uncomfortable than a tablet, as you can develop repetitive strain injury or carpal tunnel syndrome from using it for long periods.
6 Best drawing tablets for pixel art
A graphics tablet can be a valuable tool for creating pixel art, especially for blocking out shapes and clusters.
You can get away with using a cheap tablet when it comes to pixel art since you don’t really need a super accurate pressure sensor!
1. One By wacom
2. XP-Pen Deco 01 V2
3. Huion Kamvas 12
4. XP-Pen Artist 10 (2nd gen)
5. ipad (9th generation)
6. Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite
Conclusion
pixel art is doable with a simple mouse, because you actually don‘t „draw“, you just place the pixels. You don‘t have to draw dynamic and smooth lines.
If you want to make a quick sketch and easily draw your pixel art’s form, especially curves, a graphic tablet helps. But most of the time you’ll need to clean things up manually.
The common opinion that using a pen to rough and mouse to detail.
But really it’s up to you!
Ultimately just use whatever you are most comfortable with and you should be fine.
Of Course, the final result will depend on the skills and creativity of the artist, as well as the features and capabilities of the software being used.
Source: https://pctechtest.com/best-drawing-tablets-for-pixel-art