Yes, I’ve stared at those pixel snow fields for hours, waiting for the grain to settle just right. The key is the grid: keep the horizon in the lower third, let the snowy horizon line be a subtle rule of thirds line. Use the pixelated edges as a kind of hard edge for the composition, framing the snow like a cold, rigid frame. Keep warm tones out, let the white and muted greys dominate, and remember that the smallest detail—a single pixel of a falling snowflake—can become the focal point if placed in the right spot. Play with negative space; let the emptiness speak louder than the characters. If you can make the whole scene feel like a still frame from a cold, quiet moment, you’ll have captured the essence of that old-school winter.

I’ve added a bit of dithering before. It’s subtle, but it gives the snow a texture that feels more like real ice, not just flat white. The trick is to keep the pattern tiny enough that the pixels still look pixelated but the whole scene feels layered. It’s a small tweak that keeps the classic feel intact while adding depth.