I love Pixel Art, it's really great - can you show me how to do it?
There is no great secret to Pixel Art, it is simply drawn pixel by pixel. It is very time consuming and there are no shortcuts, magical photoshop filters or special techniques. The best way to learn is to look at other peoples work and see how it is constructed. If this sounds like to much hard work you could send me a plane ticket to where you live, put me up in a nice hotel for a week and I'll come around and show you.

Pixel Art is really cool, it rocks my world! I want to be a Pixel Artist! Can you tell me what Pixel Art is?
There are various definitions of Pixel Art. Personally I define it as a style where an image is drawn pixel by pixel without using any automated anti-aliasing. I favour not using any anti-aliasing at all and using flat colour, but this is just my preference. I also tend to work in isometric perspective with chunky black outlines but there are no set rules - do what thou wilt.

I really like your stuff but I am too busy/lazy to do any myself - can I use all your work on my website, claim all the credit and not pay you anything? Pleeeeeese.
I don't think so Mister Lazypants.

Even if I just take it without asking?
I have 3 very big brothers.

Like, I'm really scared.
They scare me.

I love the Pixel style, would you completely redesign my website for me? I am 12.
Do you have any money? Sorry unless I am really, really in love with your project I am unlikely to do anything for free. Feel free to try though!

Are there any Pixel Art tutorials?
Yes there are a few - try Google. Alternatively there are links to some at Pixelation and a Computer Arts magazine one. The Pixelation message board is also a good place to pick up tips etc. There are links to these on my journal page.

But Pixelation is all about making graphics for RPG's isn't it?
It's mainly games related but not exclusively. There are often discussions on software, techniques and lots of great artwork.

When are you going to make a tutorial?
I'm not. I worked it out, so can you.

Can you tell me the name of the special software you use that automatically turns thoughts into great Pixel Art?
Sorry there's no magical process - just the pencil tool in Photoshop. You don't have to use Photoshop, you can use any photo manipulation/art package such as Paint Shop Pro, Graphics Gale (this one's free) or even Microsoft Paint.

Microsoft Paint! Isn't that just for kids? (look how I cleverly avoided using the word 'retards' here)
It's perfectly adequate for doing Pixel Art pictures. In fact it's quite good. Just use a package you are familiar with. You don't need anything fancy to do pixel work.

What Photoshop Filters do you use to make Pixel Art?
I use the Pixel Art Production Suite from Iconpower Industries. Only joking - there isn't one. No filters, just the PENCIL TOOL.

I am a serious person/company who would like to pay you to do some work, is that okay? I am not 12.
Marvellous, come around for tea. Alternatively email me and we can discuss requirements/rates etc. If you wish me to produce work for you I will require you to sign a standard services contract.

Can you do me a quote?
I am happy to quote for pixel art jobs, but please send me enough details, such as dpi, sizes, details of images etc. otherwise I can't give you a quote.

Bloody Hell, I can't afford that much, can you do me a discount?
Pixel art takes me a long time to produce and therefore costs. If you work it out, you will see that my rates are actually very reasonable. In fact I could make more money working on a supermarket check out. Therefore I am unlikely to do you a discount unless you are offering large amounts of work. Cheeky!

Can you work to deadlines?
Yes, if you give me enough notice! Pixel art takes a long time and you should factor 3-4 weeks for a screen sized image.

Do you do work for print?
I can produce work for print as long as you specify the dpi and sizes you require.

I am a really talented programmer with loads of great ideas but I am useless at design, would you like to do some collaborative work?
Quite possibly, particularly if it's web based. If you are really serious then email me. You MUST have something to show me though to get me interested.

How do you use Pixel Art in Flash, isn't it a Vector based package?
Flash works with vectors and bitmap images. Once your images are constructed you can import them into Flash as Gifs.

I've made some Pixel Art and now I want to put it into Flash. Can you teach me how to use Flash?
Sorry. Try reading some books or do a Google for Flash tutorials.

I've made some Pixel Art and put it into Flash and it goes all blurry and horrid?
Make sure you click 'gif/png lossless' rather than 'jpg' in the image library and position the image on an exact pixel ie. 1.00 rather than 1.20.

Is that the end then, you seem to have run out of steam?
Yes, this is the end now. Time for tea.