30 Simple Pixel Art Ideas for Beginners

Pixeleraon 10 days ago

If you're just getting started with pixel art, one of the hardest things is simply deciding what to draw. It sounds simple, but coming up with pixel art ideas can often be more challenging than expected—especially when you're still learning the basics of color, shape, and shading.

This article is here to help: a curated list of simple pixel art ideas for anyone who wants to practice, build confidence, and spark creativity.

Whether you're using Aseprite, Piskel, or any other pixel editor, these beginner-friendly prompts will keep you creating and learning—one pixel at a time.

Why Start with Simple Pixel Art Ideas?

When learning pixel art, it's tempting to jump straight into complex characters or full scenes. But starting small has a lot of advantages:

You can finish projects quickly and feel a sense of progress
You learn how pixels build recognizable shapes
You focus on core fundamentals without being overwhelmed

That's why choosing simple pixel art ideas is so important. You don’t need to create masterpieces—you just need to start creating.

Pixel Art Ideas List (Beginner Friendly)

Here are 30 easy pixel art ideas designed for new artists. Most of these can be drawn on a 16×16 canvas, keeping things both fun and manageable.

Everyday Objects

These are small, familiar items that are great for practicing basic outlines and colors.

Apple

Coffee mug

Slice of bread

Pencil

Lightbulb

Sunglasses

Alarm clock

Backpack

Try making a themed set of icons, experimenting with colors and simple shading.

Food & Drinks

Food is a great subject for pixel art—it’s colorful, compact, and instantly recognizable.

Ice cream

Burger

Watermelon slice

Donut

Tea cup

Pizza slice

Strawberry

Start with bold silhouettes, then add simple highlights or shadows.

Animals (Mini Versions)

Animals can be tricky, but simplified versions are perfect for learning shapes and expression.

Cat face
Bird
Fish
Frog
Bunny head
Turtle
Bee

Use these to practice curves, facial features, and tiny animations like blinking or flapping wings.

Nature Elements

For artists who prefer scenery or backgrounds, nature is full of easy pixel ideas.

Cloud
Sun
Leaf
Flower
Rock
Tree stump
Campfire

These are great for practicing different materials—like soft edges, hard lines, or glowing pixels.

Bonus: A Smiley Face

A simple smiley face might seem too basic, but it’s an excellent pixel art study. It teaches symmetry, expression, and pixel placement.

How to Get the Most Out of These Pixel Art Ideas

Once you’ve picked a few things to draw, here’s how to take your practice further:

1. Stick to a Small Canvas

We recommend using a 16×16 canvas. It forces you to simplify and makes every pixel count. As you improve, you can experiment with larger sizes.

2. Limit Your Color Count

Start with 3–5 colors per piece. This restriction will improve your understanding of contrast, balance, and visual clarity.

3. Work in Themed Sets

Pick a topic (like “food” or “animals”) and create a small series. This helps you build consistency and practice style variations.

4. Try Recoloring Exercises

Take one artwork and remake it in 2–3 different color palettes (e.g. sunrise, neon, grayscale). It’s a powerful way to understand mood and tone.

Consider posting your art on Twitter, Pixilart, or Itch.io. Sharing gives you feedback, motivation, and connection to other artists.

What Comes After These?

After trying these pixel art ideas, you might want to level up. Here are a few directions to explore next:

Design your own pixel characters
Create background tiles for games
Study how professionals use shape and palette
Learn techniques like dithering or simple animation

The most important thing? Keep drawing. Repetition builds confidence. Creativity builds over time.

Final Thoughts

Finding ideas for pixel art doesn’t need to be a struggle. With these simple pixel art ideas, you can jump in, stay consistent, and grow your skills naturally.

Pixel art is a craft that rewards patience, curiosity, and small steps. And often, it all starts with a single square on a tiny grid.