Uchinoko LiveHow to Make Pixel Art of Your Pet: Draw It, Convert a Photo, or Commission It
Published October 16, 2026
Your pet, in tiny pixels. Pixel art is perfect for profile pictures and phone widgets, and even at a small size it's unmistakably them. This guide covers three ways to make pixel art of your pet, with tips for each.
Three ways to do it
| Draw it yourself | Convert a photo | Commission it | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free and paid apps | Often free | Varies by artist and scope |
| Time | A few hours and up | Quick | Days |
| Likeness | You decide every pixel | Fine markings tend to get lost | You can discuss it with the artist |
| Best for | People who enjoy drawing | A quick preview | A polished piece |
1. Draw it yourself in an app
Pixel art is drawn one square at a time. Even if you don't think of yourself as an artist, a small grid is surprisingly manageable.
| App | Runs on | Pricing |
|---|---|---|
| Aseprite | Mac, Windows, Linux | One-time purchase (Steam, itch.io, official site) |
| Pixaki | iPad | Free Intro version; Pro is paid |
| Piskel | Browser (plus desktop apps) | Free, open source |
| Pixilart | Browser, iPhone | Free |
| dotpict | iPhone, iPad (Android too) | Free (optional premium) |
Based on each developer's store or download page (linked from the app name) as of October 8, 2026. Procreate on iPad has no dedicated pixel-art mode; you can draw on a grid guide, but it isn't really built for it.
Tips for drawing your pet
- Start small. If you're new, try around 32×32 pixels; it helps you simplify the shape. Every step up in size means a lot more drawing.
- Use few colors. Base coat, shadow, eyes, nose: five to eight colors keeps it clean.
- Pick their signature features first. Patch placement, ear shape, tail color. You can't draw fine markings in a tiny grid, so choose two or three things that make your pet recognizable and make sure those are right.
- Keep a photo beside you. Draw from a photo taken from the angle you want, side or front. It makes the shape much easier.
2. Convert a photo
Some sites and apps turn a photo into pixel-art style automatically. You get a feel for it quickly. But since they simply shrink the photo's colors, the background tends to bleed in and facial markings get lost. Using the result as a base and touching it up by hand makes a big difference.
Before uploading your pet's photo, check the description or terms to see whether it's processed in your browser or sent to a server.
3. Commission an artist
Marketplaces like Fiverr and Etsy have artists who draw pet pixel art. Prices vary by size, detail, background and usage rights, and commercial-use rights are often sold as an extra. Compare what the base price includes and what costs more. For what to check before ordering, see What to know before you commission a pet portrait.
Using it as an icon or widget
- Scale up without smoothing. When enlarging pixel art, use whole-number multiples (2×, 4×) and a setting that doesn't blur, such as "nearest neighbor." Regular resizing makes the edges fuzzy.
- Save as PNG. JPEG makes color edges look gritty. PNG also supports a transparent background.
- For commissioned art, check how you can use it. A profile picture is usually fine; printing it on merch to sell often needs separate permission.
Put your pixel pet on your screen
Use your finished pixel art as a profile picture or an iPhone widget. With Uchinoko Live, you can enjoy pixel art of your pet in an iPhone Home Screen widget; the pixel-art widget is included with every pet's delivery (see our home page for details; iPhone app: US App Store only).
This guide is published by Uchinoko Live, a made-to-order service that uses AI to create pet portraits and short videos from photos.