the process

Making the Art

Pixel by Pixel

I start by finding an image that resonates with me. Something that makes me feel something or pulls me in for a reason I can’t always explain. I start by breaking the image down into a grid of tiny squares, sometimes as small as 4×4 millimeters. Then I paint each little pixel by hand, usually starting with black and slowly working through all the gradients until I get to white. It’s super detailed and takes forever, but I love the process and watching the image come to life with each shade.

Anna working on a pixel painting

Building “The Artist”

From first stroke to finished piece — scroll to follow the journey

Step 1
Grid & outline
Grid & outline
Step 2
Black base layer
Black base layer
Step 3
Darkest values
Darkest values
Step 4
Building shadows
Building shadows
Step 5
Mid-dark tones
Mid-dark tones
Step 6
Core shadows done
Core shadows done
Step 7
Mid tones emerging
Mid tones emerging
Step 8
Light mid values
Light mid values
Step 9
Half-tone balance
Half-tone balance
Step 10
Highlights begin
Highlights begin
Step 11
Detail refinement
Detail refinement
Step 12
Near-white values
Near-white values
Step 13
Final highlights
Final highlights
Final
Complete
Complete