REFERENCE IMAGES
Turn a photo into pixel art that reads like a real sprite
Good pixel art is not a blurry photo with big squares. It is built on a coarse grid where every pixel is a decision: a limited palette, a readable silhouette, hand-placed shading and, often, a dark outline. Upload your photo to ImageQuarry and describe the pixel art you want, such as a 32 by 32 character sprite or a wide 16-bit landscape, then refine the palette, outline and detail across versions.
Pick the scale and the palette size, decide on outlines, and say what the silhouette must show.
Last updated October 2026
How to make a pixel art version with ImageQuarry
- 01
Upload your photo
Bring the photo as your starting image. You can begin from an upload and describe how the pixel art version should differ from it.
- 02
Describe the look and what to keep
Describe the pixel scale in terms a game artist would use, such as a small character sprite, a 16-bit style scene or chunky 8-bit art. Ask for a limited palette, mention whether you want a one-pixel dark outline, and name the features that must survive at that scale, such as a red cap or a long coat.
- 03
Compare, refine and download
Every change you ask for becomes its own version. Line up the pixel art versions side by side, keep refining the best one, and download it when it works.
Requests to try for a pixel art version
Example requests for a pixel art version, each one something to ask for that produces a new version you review.
A character sprite of yourself
Sprites need a clear silhouette and a few signature colors.
A 16-bit landscape
Wide scenes allow more detail and parallax-style layers.
A pet icon
Small icons need the animal's most recognizable shape.
A building for a game map
Buildings work in a top-down or three-quarter view.
Retro handheld palette
Four-shade green palettes evoke early handheld consoles.
What makes a pixel art version work
Scale decides detail
At sprite sizes a face may be a handful of pixels, so only big shapes survive. Choose a larger scene scale if you need facial detail.
Limited palettes
Classic consoles and many modern pixel artists work with small palettes. Asking for eight to sixteen colors gives cohesion and avoids photographic noise.
Clean outlines and clusters
Readable pixel art groups pixels into clean clusters and avoids stray single pixels. Mention clean clusters if a version looks noisy.
Dithering on purpose
Checkerboard dithering blends two colors in gradients and skies. Ask for it where you want smooth transitions, or for flat bands where you want a crisp look.
Words drive the pixel art version
You select a version and describe the change; each request builds on the pixel art version you chose instead of starting over.
References for the pixel art version
Add one or more reference images to show the direction you want for the pixel art version: they guide the result; review each version to see how closely the pixel art version follows them.
Pixel art choices and how to word them
| Choice | Effect | How to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Sprite scale | Very simplified, iconic | Ask for a small character sprite |
| Scene scale | Room for background and depth | Ask for a wide 16-bit style scene |
| Palette size | Cohesion and era feel | Ask for eight, twelve or sixteen colors |
| Outline | Readability on any background | Ask for a one-pixel dark outline, or none |
| Dithering | Smooth gradients in low color | Ask for dithered sky bands |
| View angle | Game-ready perspective | Ask for side view, top-down or three-quarter |
What is photo to pixel art?
It is redrawing a photograph as pixel art: an image built on a visible low-detail grid with a limited palette and deliberate pixel placement, so it reads like art from or inspired by early video games.
It is not pixelation. Pixelating a photo keeps every color and simply enlarges the blocks; pixel art simplifies shapes and color so each block is intentional.
Pixel art version questions
Why does my pixel art look like a pixelated photo?
Ask for a limited palette, clean pixel clusters and simplified shapes. A pixelated photo keeps photographic color noise, which is the opposite of pixel art.
Can I get a sprite for a game?
Describe the view, the scale and a plain background, and ask for a strong silhouette. Clean up or animate the chosen version in a pixel editor if your game needs exact frames.
How do I pick a palette?
Name the number of colors and the mood, such as warm sunset tones or a cool night palette, or add a reference image of a palette you like.
Should I use outlines?
Outlines help a character read against busy backgrounds. Scenes and landscapes often look better without them.
Can I keep parts of my photo the same in the pixel art version?
In the request for your pixel art version, say what to keep as well as what to change, such as the face, the pose or the crop, then review the new version to see how closely it followed that.
Which model should I use for a pixel art version?
For a pixel art version you can stay with the default, Nano Banana 2.1, or pick Nano Banana Pro, GPT Image 2.5 Flare or GPT Image 2.5 Sunburst when you want a different result for the same request.
Related reference ideas
Create an image. Edit it with words. Keep refining.
Put your photo on the pixel grid
Upload it, choose the scale and palette, and refine the sprite or scene version by version.
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