Designing a Pixel Art Character in Multiple Styles using Clip Studio Paint

Introduction

In this tutorial, we will explore the process of designing a pixel art character in multiple styles using Clip Studio Paint, a general-purpose digital art program that can be used for a wide range of art forms, including pixel art, digital art, digital painting, comics, illustrations, animations, and more. As a seasoned user of Clip Studio Paint for over six years, I'm excited to share my knowledge and experience with this powerful tool.

Setting up a New File

To get started, go to File > New and choose your desired canvas size. Make sure to turn on Record Time-Lapse to record your entire process, which can be a great way to review your workflow and identify areas for improvement. The Clip Studio Paint workspace is highly customizable, with tools down the side, tool properties to adjust brush size, opacity, and other options, color selection options, layers to add, remove, and organize your work, a navigator to view your work in a zoomed-out view, and an options bar at the top to fully customize your workspace.

Creating a Character Idea

The first step in designing a pixel art character is to sketch out character designs. Focus on simple shapes and make sure the silhouette is readable. Explore different ideas and iterate on your design until you're happy with the result. For this tutorial, I chose a giant mech or robot artist with a strong stance and holding a pen weapon.

Translating the Design into Pixel Art

For the first style, we'll use a 32x32 pixel canvas size and set up a 24-pixel grid inside. To change the canvas size, go to Edit > Change Canvas Size, and to enable the grid, go to View > Grid. You can adjust the grid settings to your liking by going to View > Grid/Ruler Settings.

Using the Dot Pen and Milli Pen

The dot pen is a great tool for creating detailed artwork, and the milli pen can be used for larger sizes if desired. Turn off anti-aliasing in the tool properties for best results.

Simplifying Shapes

Try to simplify shapes as much as possible to capture the essence of the original design. Use the shape tools to map out the character pose and focus on getting the silhouette as close to the reference as possible. Carve out joints and character sections with the eraser tool.

Canvas Size and Pixel Influence

Increasing the canvas size can make it easier to work with pixels, but the amount of pixels used can influence the style of the artwork. Consider the size you're working in, as it can affect the final look.

Using References

Go to Window > Sub View to upload a reference image, which allows you to work with a reference image while creating your artwork.

One-Bit Style with Light and Shadow

Focus on light and shadow to define the character, rather than shapes and silhouette. Use white to pop out forms and black to indicate shadow. Balance light and shadow to create a 3D form.

Quick Action Bar

The quick action bar allows for quick access to common functions. Customize the bar by adding your own functions, and use it to crop, invert, shrink, delete, and more.

Retro Game Style with Four Colors

Use a silhouette style as a base template, work in values to control light and shadow, and add colors on top of the values using a clipping mask layer. Adjust colors using correction layers.

Clipping Masks and Correction Layers

Clipping masks allow you to affect only the pixels on the layer below, and correction layers enable you to adjust colors and make final touches without affecting the underlying pixels.

Digital Painting Techniques and Style Exploration

Color Correction and Adjustment

Create a new correction layer to adjust hue or other color aspects without affecting the underlying pixels. Adjustments can be made at any point without altering the original image, and layers can be easily deleted or rearranged as needed.

Adding Texture and Pattern

Use a grid-like dither pattern to add texture to joints and transitional spaces, adding visual interest and depth to the character design.

Style Exploration: Cartoon Style

Start with a simple graphic cartoon style, building on the base design. Use highly saturated, vibrant colors to achieve a cartoonish look, and desaturated colors for a more realistic or gritty vibe.

Color Variations and Tweakings

Quickly select an area to change and add a correction layer on top. The correction layer automatically masks the area, making it easy to make changes. Create color variations, such as a metallic gray-blue palette, to explore different styles.

Style Exploration: Metallic Look

Use no outlines, building forms with lighter tones. Achieve a shiny metal look with strong white highlights, and desaturated colors help create a more realistic appearance.

Gradient Creation

Set line work as a reference layer and color layer beneath. Divide the image into sections of lightness using the contour line paint tool.

Style Exploration: Chibi/Graffiti Style

Experiment with distorted proportions, creating a thick, chunky silhouette reminiscent of chibi or graffiti character styles.

2D Digital Painting

Create a 2D digital painting version of the character, starting with a new canvas of 1920 by [unknown]. This style combines the best of both worlds, blending the pixel art aesthetic with the freedom of digital painting.

Conclusion

In this tutorial, we've explored the process of designing a pixel art character in multiple styles using Clip Studio Paint. From setting up a new file to exploring different styles and techniques, Clip Studio Paint offers a wide range of tools and features to help you bring your character to life. Whether you're a seasoned artist or just starting out, Clip Studio Paint is an excellent choice for creating stunning pixel art characters.