Pixel Art 101 (Dot Day Edition)

August 26, 2025

From photo → pixels → bricks.

Dot Day is a celebration of making your mark, perfect excuse to turn a favorite photo into LEGO-compatible pixel art. In this step-by-step guide, you’ll go from photo → pixels → bricks, with simple sizing math, color mapping tips, parts lists, and mounting ideas so your mosaic looks clean on a wall or shelf.

Check Out Brickform's Pixel Art Collection Here

Pick something with clear shapes and contrast (faces with directional light, bold pets, graphic objects). Busy backgrounds turn into noise when pixelated.

Quick checks

Subject fills the frame (crop in tight).
Strong light/dark separation (squint—does the silhouette read?).
Avoid tiny high-detail patterns (small text, hair wisps).

One “pixel” = one stud. Plan size by where it will live.

Common sizes

24x24 (≈7.6" square) — quick, giftable.
32×32 (≈10.1" square) — sweet spot for portraits.
48×48 (≈15.2" square) — gallery-worthy.
64×64 (≈20.2" square) — showstopper.

Size math

1 stud = 8 mm ≈ 0.315 in
Inches → studs: studs = inches / 0.315 (round to an even multiple like 16, 32, 48).

Match your crop to your stud grid (e.g., 4:5 for 32×40, square for 48×48).

You can do this with any editor that allows pixelation and palette reduction.

Basic workflow

Crop to your final aspect ratio.
Resize the image to your target studs (e.g., 48×48 pixels).
Apply a slight contrast and saturation boost (pixels read better).
Optional: use light dithering to smooth gradients; avoid heavy dithering on faces.

Pro tip: Duplicate the layer and keep a non-dithered version handy; sometimes flat blocks of color beat speckled textures.

Perfect matches don’t exist; you’re translating to the closest LEGO-compatible color palette you actually have.

Two easy strategies

Tight palette (6–10 colors): cleaner, bold, faster to build.
Broader palette (12–18 colors): softer gradients, more sourcing.

Skin tones & neutrals

Start with tan/fleshtones, nougat, dark tan plus black/white/dark bluish gray.
Reserve bright colors (#DC143C Crimson, #EFA607 Amber) for accents like lips, cheeks, or clothing—sparingly.

1×1 tiles = smooth, poster-like finish (great for close-up viewing).
1×1 plates = stud texture adds sparkle; easier to grip.
Baseplates:
- DOTS plates (16×16) are slim and modular.
- Classic baseplates are thin; build on a rigid backing to prevent bowing.
- Brick-built base (plates on plates) is strongest for big mosaics.

Counts rough-cut

32×32 uses 1,024 pixels; 48×48 uses 2,304; 64×64 uses 4,096.
Order +5–10% extra of each color to account for swaps.

Print or preview your pixel map with a visible grid.
Sort colors into bowls; label with swatches.
Start top-left, place row by row. Keep elbows off the field to avoid “tile surf.”
Check every 8 rows by stepping back 2–3 meters—does the subject still read?
Audit edges (jawlines, cheeks, object contours) for jaggies; gentle color swaps fix them.

Speed tip: Lay a line of the most dominant color in each row first, then fill gaps; it reduces color-switching fatigue.

Frame shadowbox (depth ≥ 2 cm) so tiles don’t touch glass.
Plate sandwich: bond your mosaic plate to a larger backing plate with bricks around the perimeter; hides flex.
Wall mount: French cleat or 3M-style strips on a rigid backer; test on a small area first.

Brand accent: Add a Crimson #DC143C corner chip tile with the build date or initials.

Muddy midtones: Reduce from 3 mid browns to 2; push one toward tan or gray.
Washed whites: Introduce light bluish gray shadow pixels at cheek/edge highlights.
Banding in skies: Use a 2-color dither (checker/sloped diagonal) between sky blues.
Flat faces: Add a single EFA607 (Amber) pixel to the cheek or nose bridge for warmth.

Graphic poster (24×24, 8 colors): black, white, light b.gray, dark b.gray, tan, dark tan, crimson (#DC143C), amber (#EFA607).
Soft portrait (32×32, 12 colors): add nougat, reddish brown, medium blue, sand green.