Isometric PixelArt Simply Defined



Isometric PixelArt has been defined by many people in many different ways to explain what it is and how it is created. This is my attempt and I intend to keep it as simple and concise as possible.

What it is not.

Isometric PixelArt is not just something that looks like 3D or a perspective drawing.

What it is.

It is a way to create a scene, an object or a character by following one very basic and simple rule…..start with two pixels across and one pixel up to build your picture. That is Isometric PixelArt in essence.

To create an isometric view in PixelArt by using two pixels across by one pixel up will give you an angle of approximately 26.565 degrees.

A true Isometric angle is 30 degrees but the pixels do not follow a neat line at this angle so that is why Isometric PixelArt has an angle of 26.565 degrees approx.




When you look at a genuine piece of Isometric Pixelart it appears as though you are looking at it from above, from one side and the front at an angle. Here is a really wonderful example of why this view is the way it is.



Buildings tend to make up a large part of Isometric PixelArt.

Isometric Building


Non Isometric Buildings



Characters seen in games are often Isometric and still have that same look....from above, side and front view from an angle. Sometimes you will see a character only from the front or back but still it will appear as though you are viewing them from above. If you ever look at a character and they appear on the same level as you, they are not Isometric.


Isometric sprites


Non-Isometric Sprites


Objects still have to obey the same rules in Isometrics….looking from above, from the side and the front at an angle.


Isometric Cars


Non-Isometric Cars



Isometric Drum Kit


Non-Isometric Drum Kit



Isometric Ship


Non-Isometric Ship



Watch Isometric Pixelart being created




Small selection of fine Isometric Pixelart





In the next Artist Relations Journal we will be featuring `gas13 as The Artist in Focus. If there are any questions you would like `gas13 to answer about his life and work, please send me a private note of your question/s and you will be able to read his answer in two weeks, in the next AR Journal.