My process of creating these portrait assets for the pixel asset jam I joined recently, starting with the dark element.
![](https://img.itch.zone/aW1nLzE2MTg0MzU0LnBuZw==/original/VrGVgG.png)
![](https://img.itch.zone/aW1nLzE2MTg0NDkxLnBuZw==/original/lgTlr9.png)
Starts off with a simple sketch to give me a general idea.
![](https://img.itch.zone/aW1nLzE2MTg0NDE0LnBuZw==/original/9tck6z.png)
![](https://img.itch.zone/aW1nLzE2MTg0NTA3LnBuZw==/original/Ea4dVq.png)
Then the lineart.
Then I block in some of the general values (lights and darks).
Add some color, a gradient in the background, then just render the hell out of it until I'm satisfied, working in PS using the brush tool creates a perfect pixelated gradient effect when working in a super small document size, though I'm trying not to rely too heavily on it.
![](https://img.itch.zone/aW1nLzE2MTg0MzIxLnBuZw==/original/nFoXdL.png)
![](https://img.itch.zone/aW1nLzE2MTg0NTMxLnBuZw==/original/Rb8Kpn.png)
Final render, brush tool used for highlights.