1-bit: pixel art in two colors with Bayer dot shading

1-bit allows exactly two colors, a near-black and a warm paper white, so every shade in your picture has to be built from patterns of dots. Bayer 4 × 4 ordered dithering lays those dots out on a regular grid of 8-pixel blocks, the look of early desktop computers and handheld games, and Contrast at 25 keeps light and dark areas from turning into flat gray texture.

Make it yours

• 01

  Pick your two colors

  Change Dark color and Light color to any pair, such as deep blue on cream or white on black, and the whole picture follows. Strong contrast between the two keeps the dots readable.

• 02

  Dots or smooth grain

  Bayer 4 × 4 gives a regular pattern. Switch Dithering to Atkinson for the softer, scattered grain of old desktop paint programs, or to None for a bold black and white silhouette.

FAQ