I start by sketching a very simple outline, just a few soft lines that hint at the pose, then I pick a limited palette—one or two base colours and a single accent. I block in the main shapes in quick, small swaths, checking them in the full view so the edges still feel deliberate. If a pixel looks out of place I pause, step back, and decide whether it really adds to the whole. I tend to work in layers, so I can adjust detail later without having to redraw everything. And I keep a small reference board on hand, just to remind myself of the tiniest cues so I don’t feel like I’m guessing. That way I can keep the pace, but every tiny touch still feels intentional.

That sounds like a sweet rhythm, really. I’ll try the half‑saturation test, but I keep worrying I’ll miss that tiny glow that makes a pixel feel alive. Maybe I’ll set a timer so I don’t linger too long on a single tweak. Thanks for the gentle push—just enough to keep the dream alive without drowning in it.