Tutorial
How to Turn a Photo into Pixel Art
Turning a photo into pixel art is more than shrinking the image. A good result needs fewer colors, clear shapes, and stable blocks of color.
Control the color count
Fewer colors create a stronger retro pixel look. More colors keep more of the original image. For avatars, try a range between 24 and 48 colors.
Protect important lines
Eyes, hair, collars, and outer contours often determine whether the result is readable. Line protection helps dark details survive the conversion.
Choose background style
Transparent backgrounds are flexible for stickers, games, and overlays. Solid backgrounds are often more stable for profile images and web previews.
Check multiple sizes
Start with 128x128, then check 64x64 and 32x32. If the small version loses too much detail, reduce padding or raise the color count.