Piskel Explosion Tutorial

RedletterDan
21 Sept 202006:57

TLDRIn this tutorial, Mr. McLaughlin guides viewers through creating a pixel art explosion using Piskel. Starting with a circle and adding layers of color, he builds up the explosion with yellow flashes and red flames, using the selection tool to expand and fade the effect. The process involves adding smoke and adjusting colors for depth, resulting in an animated explosion that can be saved and shared as a GIF.

Takeaways

  • 😀 The tutorial is about creating pixel art explosions using Piskel.
  • 🎨 Piskel is a free application where you can't pay for anything.
  • 📝 Start by drawing a circle and using the circle tool for precision.
  • 🖌️ Fill the circle with a blue tint instead of solid black for more interest.
  • 🔄 Use the duplicate frame feature to create successive stages of the explosion.
  • 🌟 Add a bright yellow flash with sharp edges to simulate the initial explosion burst.
  • ✨ Include white highlights to the middle of the explosion for added brightness.
  • 🔥 Introduce shrapnel or bits of flame flying out from the explosion areas.
  • 🌫️ Develop a smoke cloud by painting over the explosion with a dark color and erasing excess tips.
  • 🔴 Create fiery elements with dark red bubbles filled with yellow to represent flames.
  • 🎨 Use the selection tool to move and adjust parts of the explosion for a dynamic effect.
  • 🌈 Adjust colors and add more smoke to give the impression of fading fire.
  • 📹 Ensure each frame is unique and the animation is smooth by using the preview window.
  • 🔧 Customize the animation speed by adjusting the frames per second in the preview settings.
  • 💾 Save your work to the Piskel gallery and download it as a GIF for sharing.

Q & A

  • What is the main topic of the 'Piskel Explosion Tutorial' video?

    -The main topic of the video is creating a pixel art explosion using Piskel, a free online tool.

  • Who is the instructor in the 'Piskel Explosion Tutorial' video?

    -The instructor in the video is Mr. McLaughlin.

  • What is the recommended way to search for tutorials by Pedro Materos online?

    -To find tutorials by Pedro Materos, who goes by the name Saint Eleven online, you should search for 'Saint 11' followed by the subject of the tutorial, such as 'explosion'.

  • What is the first step in creating the pixel art explosion in Piskel?

    -The first step is to draw a circle, which can be done manually or with the help of Piskel's circle tool.

  • What color is suggested to fill the initial circle instead of using solid black?

    -A blue tint is suggested to fill the initial circle instead of using solid black to avoid being too boring.

  • How is the white color in the second frame of the animation described in the tutorial?

    -The white color in the second frame is described as 'off-white' to make it less boring.

  • What does the instructor suggest to add to the middle of the bright yellow flash in the animation?

    -The instructor suggests adding a white highlight to the middle of the bright yellow flash.

  • What technique is used to create the beginning of the smoke cloud in the explosion animation?

    -A dark color similar to the original blackish color is used to paint a cloud over the area where the explosion used to be, and then some extra tips are erased to form the beginning of the smoke cloud.

  • How does the instructor describe the process of creating the fiery explosion effect?

    -The instructor describes creating the fiery explosion effect by painting in dark red bubbles for the outline, filling them with yellow, and then adding warping flames and clouds of orange mixed with yellow to give depth.

  • What tool does the instructor use to move and adjust the explosion's appearance as it fades?

    -The instructor uses the selection tool to grab and move parts of the explosion, adjusting the colors and erasing parts of the fire to create a fading effect.

  • How many frames are there in total for the animation by the end of the tutorial?

    -There are eight frames in total for the animation by the end of the tutorial.

  • What is the recommended way to save and share the completed animation from Piskel?

    -The recommended way to save the animation is by saving it to the gallery within Piskel. To share, you can download it as a GIF and then share it on social media platforms.

Outlines

00:00

🎨 Creating Pixel Art Explosion with Piscolapp

In this tutorial, Mr. McLaughlin guides viewers through the process of creating a pixel art explosion using Piscolapp.com. He suggests following a tutorial by Pedro Matero, known online as Saint Eleven, for various pixel art techniques. The process begins by drawing a circle with the circle tool and filling it with a blue tint instead of a solid black. A duplicate frame is created and filled with off-white, followed by another frame with a bright yellow flash, mimicking super saiyan hair. The tutorial continues with the addition of white highlights, shrapnel, and a smoke cloud using a dark color. The creation of fiery elements involves painting dark red bubbles filled with yellow to represent flames, which are then manipulated for depth and dynamic movement. The selection tool is used to move and adjust the explosion's elements, emphasizing the dynamic nature of fire.

05:02

🔥 Enhancing and Animating the Pixel Art Explosion

The second part of the tutorial focuses on enhancing and animating the pixel art explosion. The process involves repeating the steps to create eight frames in total, with the last four frames dedicated to refining the explosion by cutting and pasting sections, erasing, and adjusting colors. The aim is to create a convincing animation, with constant movement and shifting in every frame, including the smoke. The tutorial emphasizes checking the animation preview to ensure smooth transitions and adjusting the frame rate for desired speed. The final step is saving the animation to the gallery and downloading it as a GIF for sharing on social media platforms, all of which can be done without logging in.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Pixel Art

Pixel art is a form of digital art where images are created on the pixel level. It is often used in video games and animations, characterized by a blocky, low-resolution style reminiscent of early video games. In the video, pixel art is the main technique used to create the explosion effect, with each pixel carefully placed to form the desired visual.

💡Piskel

Piskel is a free online tool for creating pixel art and animations. It provides a user-friendly interface with various tools like a circle tool and bucket fill, which are essential for the tutorial. The script mentions using Piskel to create the explosion animation, highlighting its features and ease of use.

💡Tutorial

A tutorial is a set of instructions or guidance on how to achieve a particular task or create something. In the context of this video, the tutorial is focused on teaching viewers how to create a pixel art explosion using Piskel. The script provides step-by-step instructions, demonstrating the process from start to finish.

💡Circle Tool

The circle tool is a feature in Piskel that allows users to draw perfect circles. In the script, the circle tool is used to create the initial shape of the explosion, emphasizing the ease with which one can start the pixel art creation process without having to draw freehand.

💡Bucket Fill

The bucket fill tool in Piskel is used to fill a selected area with a chosen color quickly. In the video, the bucket fill is mentioned as a way to speed up the process of coloring the explosion with a blue tint and an off-white color, showing how it simplifies the coloring process in pixel art.

💡Duplicate Frame

In animation, a duplicate frame is an exact copy of an existing frame, used to create the illusion of movement or to build upon a previous state. The script describes using the duplicate frame feature to create successive stages of the explosion, which is a fundamental technique in animating the explosion sequence.

💡Shrapnel

Shrapnel refers to the fragments of an object that are scattered in all directions, typically as a result of an explosion. In the context of the video, shrapnel is used metaphorically to describe the small pieces of the explosion that are shown as flying out, adding to the realism and dynamic nature of the animation.

💡Smoke Cloud

A smoke cloud is a visual representation of smoke, often depicted as a cloud-like shape. In the script, the smoke cloud is part of the explosion animation, created by painting over the original explosion with a dark color to simulate the smoke that would result from such a blast.

💡Flames

Flames are the visible, gaseous part of a fire, often characterized by their bright colors and flickering movement. The tutorial describes creating flames in the explosion by using a selection tool to shape and color them, emphasizing the importance of color and shape in conveying the fiery nature of an explosion.

💡Selection Tool

The selection tool in Piskel allows users to define a specific area of the canvas for manipulation, such as moving or copying. In the video, the selection tool is used to adjust the explosion's appearance by moving and pasting selected areas, demonstrating a technique for adding depth and dynamism to the animation.

💡Animation Preview

The animation preview is a feature that allows users to view their work in sequence, ensuring that the animation flows smoothly. The script mentions checking the animation preview to ensure that each frame is moving and shifting correctly, highlighting the importance of this feature in the animation creation process.

💡GIF

A GIF, or Graphics Interchange Format, is a type of image file that supports both static and animated images. In the context of the video, the tutorial ends with saving and downloading the animation as a GIF, which is a common format for sharing short animations on the internet.

Highlights

Introduction to creating pixel art explosion using Piskel.

Recommendation of Pedro Matos' tutorials under the name Saint Eleven.

Instructions on using Piskel, including account creation and starting a new project.

Technique for drawing a circle with a blue tint instead of solid black.

Using the bucket fill tool to quickly color in the explosion shape.

Creating a duplicate frame and changing the color to off-white.

Adding a bright yellow flash with sharp, pointy edges.

Adding a white highlight to the middle of the explosion.

Incorporating yellow shrapnel or bits of flame into the animation.

Creating a smoke cloud with a dark color and erasing unnecessary tips.

Adding depth to the explosion with dark red bubbles and yellow centers.

Using the color picking tool and swatches for easy color selection.

Technique of using the selection tool to move and paste parts of the explosion.

Creating the illusion of dynamic fire by erasing and rearranging colors.

Process of adding more smoke and repeating the animation steps.

Importance of checking the animation preview for smooth transitions.

Adjusting the animation speed and frame count for desired effect.

Saving and downloading the animation as a GIF for sharing.

Encouragement to share the finished animation on social media.