#best free to do app

[ramya7]

Top Apps for Task Management and Organization: Featuring Troop Messenger's Kanban Boards

In our fast-paced world, balancing work and personal tasks can be challenging. To stay organized and efficient, many people rely on digital tools to simplify task management. From to-do lists to powerful Kanban boards, these apps can help transform the way you manage your daily responsibilities. One standout platform, Troop Messenger, not only excels in communication but also offers quality services for task management, making it an essential tool for individuals and teams. Let’s explore some of the best free to-do list apps and highlight the benefits of Troop Messenger’s features.

 Discover 6 Free ToDo Apps with Kanban Boards

When looking for the best app for to-do list management, you want something versatile, intuitive, and packed with features to simplify your life. Whether you prefer a simple to-do list app or a more robust task manager with Kanban boards, these free apps will make your daily organization a breeze. Here are the top options:

 1. Todoist

Todoist has long been recognized as one of the best to-do list apps available. With its clean interface and powerful task management features, Todoist is a favorite among productivity enthusiasts. It supports task scheduling, recurring reminders, and project organization.

Key Features:

- Easy-to-use to-do list app for personal and professional tasks

- Supports natural language input, making task creation quick and easy

- Integrations with other apps to streamline workflows

 2. Microsoft To Do

Microsoft To Do is a simple yet effective to-do list app. It provides smart suggestions, customizable task lists, and the ability to set reminders and due dates. It’s a free to-do app that syncs across all devices, ensuring you stay on top of tasks wherever you are.

Benefits:

- Seamless integration with Microsoft Office tools

- Easy categorization of tasks for better task management

- Ideal for both work and personal to-do lists

 3. Trello

Trello stands out as one of the best apps for to-do list and project management, using Kanban boards to organize tasks visually. Each board can be customized with labels, due dates, and checklists, making it easy to track the progress of individual or team projects.

Trello Features:

- Drag-and-drop functionality for effortless task management

- Collaboration features for teams

- Integration with various productivity tools for seamless workflows

 4. Asana

Asana is a top-rated to-do list app with features designed for both simple task tracking and complex project management. It offers Kanban boards, timeline views, and task dependencies, making it one of the best apps for work and life organization.

Highlights:

- Customizable project views and detailed task management options

- Task manager capabilities that support individual and team needs

- User-friendly interface that adapts to various project sizes

 5. ClickUp

ClickUp is a feature-rich task management app that provides to-do lists, Kanban boards, and advanced project management tools. It’s suitable for personal use and professional teams, making it one of the best free to-do list apps available.

What Makes ClickUp Great:

- Extensive customization options for managing to-do lists and tasks

- Goal-setting and time-tracking features to boost productivity

- Free version packed with functionality

 6. Troop Messenger’s Kanban Boards

Troop Messenger is a powerful communication and task management tool that provides quality services for teams. Beyond its stellar messaging and collaboration features, Troop Messenger offers Kanban boards that simplify task management. This makes it a unique, all-in-one solution for teams that need to stay connected and organized.

Troop Messenger Quality Services:

- Kanban Boards: Troop Messenger’s Kanban boards are easy to use and perfect for managing tasks and projects. They allow users to visualize progress and ensure nothing falls through the cracks.

- Robust Communication Tools: Beyond task management, Troop Messenger excels in providing a secure and efficient communication platform. This includes features like file sharing, group chats, and video conferencing.

- Data Security: With Troop Messenger, you get top-level security, making it a reliable platform for sensitive work communications and task management.

 Why Use Kanban Boards for Task Management?

Kanban boards are a game changer for task management. They help visualize work, manage to-do lists, and ensure every task is accounted for. Whether you’re managing a large project or simple daily to-do items, Kanban boards help maintain clarity and focus.

 Conclusion

Choosing the best app for to-do management can revolutionize your productivity. From the simplicity of Microsoft To Do to the powerful Kanban boards in Troop Messenger, there’s something for everyone. If you’re seeking an all-in-one communication and task management solution, Troop Messenger is worth exploring. It combines secure communication, efficient collaboration, and intuitive task management, making it a top-rated to-do list app for teams and individuals.

No matter your task management style, these apps offer the tools you need to stay organized and productive. Start exploring these options today to find the best free to-do list app that suits your needs and experience the transformative power of efficient task management!

[ramyamodugu]

What Are the Best To-Do List Apps?

In today’s fast-paced world, staying organized is key to maintaining productivity and achieving goals. To-do list apps have emerged as essential tools for managing tasks, whether for personal use or professional collaboration. In this article, we’ll explore the best free to-do list apps, highlight the exceptional qualities of Troop Messenger, and explain why it stands out as a productivity powerhouse.

Why Use To-Do List Apps?

To-do list apps help you organize tasks, set priorities, and track progress. From simple checklists to advanced task management systems, these tools ensure nothing falls through the cracks. The best free to-do list app should be user-friendly, accessible across devices, and packed with features that enhance productivity.

Top To-Do List Apps to Consider

1. Troop Messenger: Beyond Task Management

Troop Messenger is not just a collaboration platform; it also shines as a to-do list app free option with powerful task management capabilities.

Features That Make Troop Messenger Unique:

Task Assignment and Tracking: Assign tasks to yourself or team members, set deadlines, and monitor progress effortlessly.

Kanban Board View: Visualize tasks and workflows in a format that’s both intuitive and effective.

Seamless Collaboration: Communicate via chat, voice, or video while managing tasks, ensuring clarity and alignment.

Cross-Platform Functionality: Accessible on desktop, web, and mobile, making it the best app to do task management anywhere.

Robust Security: Troop Messenger offers enterprise-grade security to keep your data safe.

If you’re searching for the best free to-do appt that combines task management with collaboration, Troop Messenger is the perfect choice.

2. Todoist

A popular choice, Todoist offers a simple yet powerful interface for task management.

Pros: Easy to use, with features like recurring tasks and priority levels.

Cons: Advanced features require a paid subscription.

3. Microsoft To Do

For those integrated into the Microsoft ecosystem, this app is a convenient and lightweight solution.

Pros: Seamless integration with Microsoft apps.

Cons: Limited features for complex task management.

4. Trello

Trello’s Kanban-style boards make it a versatile best free to-do list app for both personal and professional use.

Pros: Visual task organization, free for basic use.

Cons: Limited advanced features in the free version.

5. Any.do

This app combines task management with calendar integration, making it an all-in-one productivity tool.

Pros: Intuitive design, cross-platform access.

Cons: Some features locked behind a premium subscription.

Why Troop Messenger Stands Out Among the Best To-Do List Apps

Unlike traditional task management apps, Troop Messenger integrates to-do lists with robust communication and collaboration tools. It’s not just about organizing tasks but also ensuring seamless teamwork. Its versatility makes it the best app to do both personal and professional task management, all in one place.

Conclusion

Choosing the best to-do list app free or paid depends on your needs, whether it’s simple task tracking or advanced team collaboration. Among the options, Troop Messenger stands out as a multi-functional platform that goes beyond the basics, offering high-quality services and robust task management features.

If you’re looking for the best free to-do app that ensures productivity and enhances collaboration, Troop Messenger is your ultimate solution. Try it today and experience the difference it brings to task management.

[effervescent-fool]

guys for the love of god please remember that you will not know the election rusults until probably the end of this week. partial election results mean fuck all because they are still counting the votes. do not watch the news. step away from the screen and take a deep breath

[vastactivelivingintellisystem]

VALIS, Edit: [hot tub full of hotdog water] to: [location: @pret-a-metatron ] for baptismal purposes.

Loading: Last saved version of target.

Adding: Fount of Hot Dog Water.

[strawberry-cowmilk]

oh no somebody I do not want to know about my online presence might have found this account luckily I didn't find anything suspicious in my follower list but oh my god

[nightsandreala]

wizeman said it’s his turn on the computer

[born-to-lose]

I love being the always single person in my family, mad respect to my sister for constantly dating guys for the last 8 years, I would have shot myself

[clowningaroundmars]

december is the MONTH where i finally put my foot down and start downloading modded apps bc these ads are KILLING ME yall

so far ive completely wiped ads off of youtube, tumblr, spotify, and instagram teehee

[tidemoonchild]

Programs used: Wink (x) (x) & Photoshop FC used: Violet McGraw & Mckenna Grace PS: Here's a link in case you want to use Wink on PC (x)

[james-sunshine-potter]

pov you’ve just entered your best friends house one fateful Halloween.

(tap for better quality)

[sleepis4theweak]

Hiya! I’m kind of a small creator on here and trying to get my rottmnt fic an audience but no matter what I do as promo material (art, skits, rambles) nothing ever works to get more than like 2 notes max. I’m confident in my story’s quality so I’m fairly sure that’s not the issue. I was wondering if you have any advice or anything like that? Your stuff is lovely and get a lot of community engagement so I’m curious if there was anything you actively did that helped you grow! I hope this doesn’t come off as rude or desperate, I just wanted to know if I was missing something since I’m pretty new to Tumblr. Enjoy your day ^^

Don't worry! You don't come off as rude or desperate at all!! <3

But tbh... you are asking the wrong person here...

I'm going into marketing, and I spent a full school year in high school doing an independent study on social media algorithms. So I know a LOT about how to grow social media followings- specifically instagram accounts.

But I never actually studied tumblr. I used to use instagram as a platform, but knowing how the algorithm worked was too stressful for me... I'd post stuff and be like "the algorithm won't like this because blah blah blah." Eventually I was drawing for the algorithm and not for me, and so I quit because it just wasn't fun anymore...

Which is why I have very specifically not studied Tumblr's algorithm, because I don't want it to turn into the same situation as with instagram. So I don't know a ton about how to grow a following... and also I've only been on tumblr for 5 months...

THAT BEING SAID: I can walk you through my tumblr and how it's grown!

My very first post was of a meme redraw with the 2012 turtles. I think it got around 1,600 likes?

I posted a couple more things, with varying amounts of likes and such. My first comic (which I never actually completed past the first part) got a total of 7 likes within the first months of posting it. Only when I got more followers did the like amount change.

When I posted my first chapter of the Flashbacks AU, I had 33 or so followers. I think I got to like... 300 followers from that first chapter alone. From there it was just... a steady growth of followers I guess. And with followers comes more reblogs, and with more reblogs comes more followers.

I have around 1,600 followers now. Not everyone is gonna like my posts, I think I get around 20 for responded asks and 100-300 for random pieces of art. Comics get closers to 600 or so. It depends on the content.

I think there are a couple of universal things that help grow an account:

1- Making sure your content is reaching the right people. Put the right tags in. Go crazy with them in fact. If I'm posting a piece with Rise Mikey in it, Im gonna tag: Mikey, Mikey tmnt, Mikey 2018, ROTTMNT, Rise Mikey, etc etc. On instagram they are currently trying to get people to limit their use of tags, but I don't think the same thing applies here. Even tho tags don't help as much here, they are still a good tool!

2- Consistency. Idk how it works on this platform, but consistency is generally a good thing! With instagram theres an actual method to it (1 post a day= good, but the more posts you do a day the less people it shows it to), it might be worth it to look up if tumblr has something similar.

3- Have fun with it! I know this is kinda lame to say... but don't change your content for views. Just... do what you like and eventually your target audience will find you :)

4- Engage with what audience you do have! It's fun to bond with people online, and it helps that "community engagement" piece you talked about!

5-... stalk people hehe. (By which I mean: Look at what other artists post! What tags do they use, do they reblog their own posts a lot, etc etc. Also look at artists with similar followings to your own. For example, studying Cass might not be very helpful, because Cass has a large amount of followers and I'm convinced they could post a picture of a blank canvas and still get 1,000 likes hehe... BUT- I mean you could scroll down to Cass' (or other artist's) first posts and see what they were doing then! Just... observe others I suppose!)

Id love to tell you likes don’t matter, that what matters is having fun and loving what you are drawing. But also I do know how it feels to post something you are really proud of and then have no one like it- it sucks.

But just keep on going :) You'll find your people eventually I'm sure.

OH ALSO: IF ANYONE ELSE HAS ANY TIPS FEEL FREE TO REBLOG AND ADD STUFF IN!!! <3

[ramyamodugu]

What's the Best Kanban Software for Personal Use?

Kanban software has become a game-changer for individuals seeking to stay organized and improve their productivity. Whether managing work tasks or personal goals, a Kanban board offers a visual and intuitive way to keep track of what needs to be done. In this article, we’ll explore some of the best Kanban tools for personal use and highlight Troop Messenger, a feature-rich platform that excels in team collaboration and task management.

What Makes a Kanban Tool Ideal for Personal Use?

The best Kanban tools are user-friendly, offer essential features for task tracking, and provide flexibility for personal customization. They should integrate well with other productivity tools and work seamlessly across devices. Whether you’re looking for the best free to-do list app or the best app to do Kanban-style organization, your tool should fit your workflow without overwhelming you.

Troop Messenger: More Than Just a Collaboration Tool

When discussing Kanban boards, Troop Messenger deserves a special mention. While it is primarily known as a robust communication platform for teams, it offers exceptional task management features, including Kanban boards for organizing workflows.

Key Features of Troop Messenger:

Integrated Task Management: Create tasks, assign deadlines, and track progress using an easy-to-navigate Kanban interface.

Collaboration Excellence: Communicate with your team or collaborators in real-time through chat, voice, and video calls.

Cross-Platform Access: Accessible on desktop, web, and mobile apps, making it one of the best free to-do list app options for on-the-go users.

Customizable Workflows: Tailor your Kanban board to suit your personal or professional needs.

Secure and Reliable: Troop Messenger prioritizes data security, ensuring your tasks and communications are protected.

If you’re looking for the best app to do both personal and professional task management, Troop Messenger stands out with its quality services.

Top Kanban Software for Personal Use

Here’s a list of other notable Kanban tools:

1. Trello

A popular choice, Trello offers a simple drag-and-drop interface, making it an excellent to-do list app free option for individuals.

Pros: Intuitive design, free version available.

Cons: Limited features in the free plan.

2. Asana

Asana combines Kanban functionality with list and calendar views, making it versatile for personal use.

Pros: Comprehensive task tracking.

Cons: Steeper learning curve for beginners.

3. ClickUp

ClickUp’s feature-packed interface includes a Kanban view, perfect for personal task tracking.

Pros: Highly customizable.

Cons: May feel overwhelming for simple needs.

4. Microsoft To Do

For simplicity, Microsoft To Do offers a clean interface and syncs seamlessly with other Microsoft apps.

Pros: Lightweight and effective for simple tasks.

Cons: Limited advanced features.

Why Troop Messenger Stands Out

Troop Messenger not only excels as a Kanban tool but also offers additional capabilities that others lack. From its best free to-do list app features to advanced collaboration options, it bridges the gap between individual productivity and team efficiency. If you’re someone who juggles personal and professional tasks, Troop Messenger provides a unified solution, making it the best free to-do app for many users.

Conclusion

When choosing the best Kanban software for personal use, consider your specific needs. If you want a tool that combines task management with excellent collaboration features, Troop Messenger is a standout choice. It’s not just a to-do list app free for basic use but also a powerful platform for managing tasks and improving workflows.

By using tools like Troop Messenger, you can stay organized and ensure your productivity soars—whether at work or home. For those seeking the best free to-do list app, look no further than Troop Messenger’s versatile and quality services.

[artemisbarnowl]

Having a totally normal one* after waking from a dream where I just relive life with my ex. It was so normal and fine and we did things such as lay around in bed and make plans for the day, go to the Korean supermarket on the corner, go to a friend's house together.

[pink-anonymous-person]

🔞 this is a side blog to hyperfix on my guilty pleasure at peace 🔞

hello 👋

this blog is not minor friendly at all. any and all follows where the age isn't displayed in their bio, they're underage, or the blog is blank will be blocked (unless you already told me your age in the dm or ask)

seriously pls don’t follow this blog if you’re triggered with yandere / nsfw 18+ fandom. I am giving you a free block / unfollow me with no judgement pass here!

((my main sfw and multifandom art blog is

🌻 @we-dont-talk-about-potato-nonono 🌻 < (i reply / follow back from this blog)

((i might not post often here as i do on my main so yeah!))

(i also do not support yandere irl!)

✍️ my art ✍️

🩷 yin (my OC) 🩷

it might take some times to draw… but feel free to send suggestion or ideas cuz i always have art block! i frequently don't tag stuff on here, so view at your own risk. feel free to ask me to tag anything though!

📌 general blog rules 📌

-> 🚫DNI MINORS🚫

→ the easiest rule of them all: be respectful! to me, my moots, the community, yourself <3

→ please don’t come into my inbox with any negative drama. it is likely i have already seen it or know of it and don’t want to be involved. if i don’t know about it, i don’t want to know or be involved

-> that’s all the rules! oh and, I have issues with keeping up with conversations and rarely interact. I usually just bail after posting something so please don't take my silence personally!

[tofupixel]

⭐ So you want to learn pixel art? ⭐

🔹 Part 1 of ??? - The Basics!

Hello, my name is Tofu and I'm a professional pixel artist. I have been supporting myself with freelance pixel art since 2020, when I was let go from my job during the pandemic.

My progress, from 2017 to 2024. IMO the only thing that really matters is time and effort, not some kind of natural talent for art.

This guide will not be comprehensive, as nobody should be expected to read allat. Instead I will lean heavily on my own experience, and share what worked for me, so take everything with a grain of salt. This is a guide, not a tutorial. Cheers!

🔹 Do I need money?

NO!!! Pixel art is one of the most accessible mediums out there.

I still use a mouse because I prefer it to a tablet! You won't be at any disadvantage here if you can't afford the best hardware or software.

Because our canvases are typically very small, you don't need a good PC to run a good brush engine or anything like that.

✨Did you know? One of the most skilled and beloved pixel artists uses MS PAINT! Wow!!

🔹 What software should I use?

Here are some of the most popular programs I see my friends and peers using. Stars show how much I recommend the software for beginners! ⭐

💰 Paid options:

⭐⭐⭐ Aseprite (for PC) - $19.99

This is what I and many other pixel artists use. You may find when applying to jobs that they require some knowledge of Aseprite. Since it has become so popular, companies like that you can swap raw files between artists.

Aseprite is amazingly customizable, with custom skins, scripts and extensions on Itch.io, both free and paid.

If you have ever used any art software before, it has most of the same features and should feel fairly familiar to use. It features a robust animation suite and a tilemap feature, which have saved me thousands of hours of labour in my work. The software is also being updated all the time, and the developers listen to the users. I really recommend Aseprite!

⭐ Photoshop (for PC) - Monthly $$

A decent option for those who already are used to the PS interface. Requires some setup to get it ready for pixel-perfect art, but there are plenty of tutorials for doing so.

Animation is also much more tedious on PS which you may want to consider before investing time!

⭐⭐ ProMotion NG (for PC) - $19.00

An advanced and powerful software which has many features Aseprite does not, including Colour Cycling and animated tiles.

⭐⭐⭐ Pixquare (for iOS) - $7.99 - $19.99 (30% off with code 'tofu'!!)

Probably the best app available for iPad users, in active development, with new features added all the time.

Look! My buddy Jon recommends it highly, and uses it often.

One cool thing about Pixquare is that it takes Aseprite raw files! Many of my friends use it to work on the same project, both in their office and on the go.

⭐ Procreate (for iOS) - $12.99

If you have access to Procreate already, it's a decent option to get used to doing pixel art. It does however require some setup. Artist Pixebo is famously using Procreate, and they have tutorials of their own if you want to learn.

⭐⭐ ReSprite iOS and Android. (free trial, but:) $19.99 premium or $$ monthly

ReSprite is VERY similar in terms of UI to Aseprite, so I can recommend it. They just launched their Android release!

🆓 Free options:

⭐⭐⭐ Libresprite (for PC)

Libresprite is an alternative to Aseprite. It is very, very similar, to the point where documentation for Aseprite will be helpful to Libresprite users.

⭐⭐ Pixilart (for PC and mobile)

A free in-browser app, and also a mobile app! It is tied to the website Pixilart, where artists upload and share their work. A good option for those also looking to get involved in a community.

⭐⭐ Dotpict (for mobile)

Dotpict is similar to Pixilart, with a mobile app tied to a website, but it's a Japanese service. Did you know that in Japanese, pixel art is called 'Dot Art'? Dotpict can be a great way to connect with a different community of pixel artists! They also have prompts and challenges often.

🔹 So I got my software, now what?

◽Nice! Now it's time for the basics of pixel art.

❗ WAIT ❗ Before this section, I want to add a little disclaimer. All of these rules/guidelines can be broken at will, and some 'no-nos' can look amazing when done intentionally.

The pixel-art fundamentals can be exceedingly helpful to new artists, who may feel lost or overwhelmed by choice. But if you feel they restrict you too harshly, don't force yourself! At the end of the day it's your art, and you shouldn't try to contort yourself into what people think a pixel artist 'should be'. What matters is your own artistic expression. 💕👍

◽Phew! With that out of the way...

🔸"The Rules"

There are few hard 'rules' of pixel art, mostly about scaling and exporting. Some of these things will frequently trip up newbies if they aren't aware, and are easy to overlook.

🔹Scaling method

There are a couple ways of scaling your art. The default in most art programs, and the entire internet, is Bi-linear scaling, which usually works out fine for most purposes. But as pixel artists, we need a different method.

Both are scaled up x10. See the difference?

On the left is scaled using Bilinear, and on the right is using Nearest-Neighbor. We love seeing those pixels stay crisp and clean, so we use nearest-neighbor. 

(Most pixel-art programs have nearest-neighbor enabled by default! So this may not apply to you, but it's important to know.)

🔹Mixels

Mixels are when there are different (mixed) pixel sizes in the same image.

Here I have scaled up my art- the left is 200%, and the right is 150%. Yuck!

As we can see, the "pixel" sizes end up different. We generally try to scale our work by multiples of 100 - 200%, 300% etc. rather than 150%. At larger scales however, the minute differences in pixel sizes are hardly noticeable!

Mixels are also sometimes seen when an artist scales up their work, then continues drawing on it with a 1 pixel brush.

Many would say that this is not great looking! This type of pixels can be indicative of a beginner artist. But there are plenty of creative pixel artists out there who mixels intentionally, making something modern and cool.

🔹Saving Your Files

We usually save our still images as .PNGs as they don’t create any JPEG artifacts or loss of quality. It's a little hard to see here, but there are some artifacts, and it looks a little blurry. It also makes the art very hard to work with if we are importing a JPEG.

For animations .GIF is good, but be careful of the 256 colour limit. Try to avoid using too many blending mode layers or gradients when working with animations. If you aren’t careful, your animation could flash afterwards, as the .GIF tries to reduce colours wherever it can. It doesn’t look great!

Here's an old piece from 2021 where I experienced .GIF lossiness, because I used gradients and transparency, resulting in way too many colours.

🔹Pixel Art Fundamentals - Techniques and Jargon

❗❗Confused about Jaggies? Anti-Aliasing? Banding? Dithering? THIS THREAD is for you❗❗ << it's a link, click it!!

As far as I'm concerned, this is THE tutorial of all time for understanding pixel art. These are techniques created and named by the community of people who actually put the list together, some of the best pixel artists alive currently. Please read it!!

🔸How To Learn

Okay, so you have your software, and you're all ready to start. But maybe you need some more guidance? Try these tutorials and resources! It can be helpful to work along with a tutorial until you build your confidence up.

⭐⭐ Pixel Logic (A Digital Book) - $10 A very comprehensive visual guide book by a very skilled and established artist in the industry. I own a copy myself.

⭐⭐⭐ StudioMiniBoss - free A collection of visual tutorials, by the artist that worked on Celeste! When starting out, if I got stuck, I would go and scour his tutorials and see how he did it.

⭐ Lospec Tutorials - free A very large collection of various tutorials from all over the internet. There is a lot to sift through here if you have the time.

⭐⭐⭐ Cyangmou's Tutorials - free (tipping optional) Cyangmou is one of the most respected and accomplished modern pixel artists, and he has amassed a HUGE collection of free and incredibly well-educated visual tutorials. He also hosts an educational stream every week on Twitch called 'pixelart for beginners'.

⭐⭐⭐ Youtube Tutorials - free There are hundreds, if not thousands of tutorials on YouTube, but it can be tricky to find the good ones. My personal recommendations are MortMort, Brandon, and AdamCYounis- these guys really know what they're talking about!

🔸 How to choose a canvas size

When looking at pixel art turorials, we may see people suggest things like 16x16, 32x32 and 64x64. These are standard sizes for pixel art games with tiles. However, if you're just making a drawing, you don't necessarily need to use a standard canvas size like that.

What I like to think about when choosing a canvas size for my illustrations is 'what features do I think it is important to represent?' And make my canvas as small as possible, while still leaving room for my most important elements.

Imagine I have characters in a scene like this:

I made my canvas as small as possible (232 x 314), but just big enough to represent the features and have them be recognizable (it's Good Omens fanart 😤)!! If I had made it any bigger, I would be working on it for ever, due to how much more foliage I would have to render.

If you want to do an illustration and you're not sure, just start at somewhere around 100x100 - 200x200 and go from there.

It's perfectly okay to crop your canvas, or scale it up, or crunch your art down at any point if you think you need a different size. I do it all the time! It only takes a bit of cleanup to get you back to where you were.

🔸Where To Post

Outside of just regular socials, Twitter, Tumblr, Deviantart, Instagram etc, there are a few places that lean more towards pixel art that you might not have heard of.

⭐ Lospec Lospec is a low-res focused art website. Some pieces get given a 'monthly masterpiece' award. Not incredibly active, but I believe there are more features being added often.

⭐⭐ Pixilart Pixilart is a very popular pixel art community, with an app tied to it. The community tends to lean on the young side, so this is a low-pressure place to post with an relaxed vibe.

⭐⭐ Pixeljoint Pixeljoint is one of the big, old-school pixel art websites. You can only upload your art unscaled (1x) because there is a built-in zoom viewer. It has a bit of a reputation for being elitist (back in the 00s it was), but in my experience it's not like that any more. This is a fine place for a pixel artist to post if they are really interested in learning, and the history. The Hall of Fame has some of the most famous / impressive pixel art pieces that paved the way for the work we are doing today.

⭐⭐⭐ Cafe Dot Cafe Dot is my art server so I'm a little biased here. 🍵 It was created during the recent social media turbulence. We wanted a place to post art with no algorithms, and no NFT or AI chuds. We have a heavy no-self-promotion rule, and are more interested in community than skill or exclusivity. The other thing is that we have some kind of verification system- you must apply to be a Creator before you can post in the Art feed, or use voice. This helps combat the people who just want to self-promo and dip, or cause trouble, as well as weed out AI/NFT people. Until then, you are still welcome to post in any of the threads or channels. There is a lot to do in Cafe Dot. I host events weekly, so check the threads!

⭐⭐/r/pixelart The pixel art subreddit is pretty active! I've also heard some of my friends found work through posting here, so it's worth a try if you're looking. However, it is still Reddit- so if you're sensitive to rude people, or criticism you didn't ask for, you may want to avoid this one. Lol

🔸 Where To Find Work

You need money? I got you! As someone who mostly gets scouted on social media, I can share a few tips with you:

Put your email / portfolio in your bio Recruiters don't have all that much time to find artists, make it as easy as possible for someone to find your important information!

Clean up your profile If your profile feed is all full of memes, most people will just tab out rather than sift through. Doesn't apply as much to Tumblr if you have an art tag people can look at.

Post regularly, and repost Activity beats everything in the social media game. It's like rolling the dice, and the more you post the more chances you have. You have to have no shame, it's all business baby

Outside of just posting regularly and hoping people reach out to you, it can be hard to know where to look. Here are a few places you can sign up to and post around on.

/r/INAT INAT (I Need A Team) is a subreddit for finding a team to work with. You can post your portfolio here, or browse for people who need artists.

/r/GameDevClassifieds Same as above, but specifically for game-related projects.

Remote Game Jobs / Work With Indies Like Indeed but for game jobs. Browse them often, or get email notifications.

VGen VGen is a website specifically for commissions. You need a code from another verified artist before you can upgrade your account and sell, so ask around on social media or ask your friends. Once your account is upgraded, you can make a 'menu' of services people can purchase, and they send you an offer which you are able to accept, decline, or counter.

The evil websites of doom: Fiverr and Upwork I don't recommend them!! They take a big cut of your profit, and the sites are teeming with NFT and AI people hoping to make a quick buck. The site is also extremely oversaturated and competitive, resulting in a race to the bottom (the cheapest, the fastest, doing the most for the least). Imagine the kind of clients who go to these websites, looking for the cheapest option. But if you're really desperate...

🔸 Community

I do really recommend getting involved in a community. Finding like-minded friends can help you stay motivated to keep drawing. One day, those friends you met when you were just starting out may become your peers in the industry. Making friends is a game changer!

Discord servers Nowadays, the forums of old are mostly abandoned, and people split off into many different servers. Cafe Dot, Pixel Art Discord (PAD), and if you can stomach scrolling past all the AI slop, you can browse Discord servers here.

Twitch Streams Twitch has kind of a bad reputation for being home to some of the more edgy gamers online, but the pixel art community is extremely welcoming and inclusive. Some of the people I met on Twitch are my friends to this day, and we've even worked together on different projects! Browse pixel art streams here, or follow some I recommend: NickWoz, JDZombi, CupOhJoe, GrayLure, LumpyTouch, FrankiePixelShow, MortMort, Sodor, NateyCakes, NyuraKim, ShinySeabass, I could go on for ever really... There are a lot of good eggs on Pixel Art Twitch.

🔸 Other Helpful Websites

Palettes Lospec has a huge collection of user-made palettes, for any artist who has trouble choosing their colours, or just wants to try something fun. Rejected Palettes is full of palettes that didn't quite make it onto Lospec, ran by people who believe there are no bad colours.

The Spriters Resource TSR is an incredible website where users can upload spritesheets and tilesets from games. You can browse for your favourite childhood game, and see how they made it! This website has helped me so much in understanding how game assets come together in a scene.

VGMaps Similar to the above, except there are entire maps laid out how they would be played. This is incredible if you have to do level design, or for mocking up a scene for fun.

Game UI Database Not pixel-art specific, but UI is a very challenging part of graphics, so this site can be a game-changer for finding good references!

Retronator A digital newspaper for pixel-art lovers! New game releases, tutorials, and artworks!

Itch.io A website where people can upload, games, assets, tools... An amazing hub for game devs and game fans alike. A few of my favourite tools: Tiled, PICO-8, Pixel Composer, Juice FX, Magic Pencil for Aseprite

🔸 The End?

This is just part 1 for now, so please drop me a follow to see any more guides I release in the future. I plan on doing some writeups on how I choose colours, how to practise, and more!

I'm not an expert by any means, but everything I did to get to where I am is outlined in this guide. Pixel art is my passion, my job and my hobby! I want pixel art to be recognized everywhere as an art-form, a medium of its own outside of game-art or computer graphics!

This guide took me a long time, and took a lot of research and experience. Consider following me or supporting me if you are feeling generous.

And good luck to all the fledgling pixel artists, I hope you'll continue and have fun. I hope my guide helped you, and don't hesitate to send me an ask if you have any questions! 💕

My other tutorials (so far): How to draw Simple Grass for a game Hue Shifting

[tofumarinado]

it's so funny to me when i see pearl-clutching articles about how "teenagers are diagnosing themselves with mental disorders via tiktok" because like. this is not happening in a vacuum. teenagers are severely and i mean severely medically neglected. i cannot stress this enough. teenagers do not have free access to medical care. those same news outlets would be clowning on women with housewife psychosis in the 1950's.

i sometimes go pale when listening to some of what my friends have gone through in their childhoods and teenagehoods. they talk about it so nonchalantly, things that would be considered straight up torture if done to an adult, can't fathom the effect this has on children. they are on multiple anti-psychotics and several antidepressants and anxiety meds now that they are adults. medical neglect has legally and effectively disabled them. a timely diagnosis and intervention could have saved them. of course teenagers are self-diagnosing using tiktok. if your knee-jerk reaction is to scoff at the idea and dismiss it as dumb teenager shit instead of being radicalized because the best shot young people have at attaining the mental health support they need is a fucking dancing videos app, you're categorically a political enemy of the youth.