Trying for 1 month but can’t learn pixel art still

I’m not good at it, but, I got better by making small enough pixel images that I could try different colors for individual pixels to match the feel of a reference images. 8×8 and then 16×16. With larger images, there is too much work to keep changing the pixels while you are still understanding the color theory.

The big insights came from how, in pixel art, a single high contrast pixel can give the impression of color or shade in a whole area of the image. For example, on a ladybug’s back, a few metallic blue pixels make it look more reflective than white, and doesn’t clash with the predominant red.

I used Resprite for iPad which is similar to Aesprite, for my Godot game.