This tutorial was originally made by the video game artist Dan Fessler. You can read the original tutorial here.
First of all you need to have Photoshop installed, I think this technique works with all versions of the program.
Download this Dither Pattern made by Dan Fessler
If you want to make a Game Boy Classic type of pixel art, download this gradient.
When you download either files, just double click the pattern/gradient to install it to photoshop. Even if it does not look like anything happened, it should be installed.
If you want to see how it works; you can start off with a small rectangular selection then add a gradient adjustment layer.
Instead if your painting skills are not up to par and you just want to make something pixelated, you can use this cute cat picture I found. If you have a picture already, shrink it down to under 500 pixels (if it is not already). It is best if it is small because hi res TVs did not exist in the Super Nintendo and Game Boy Classic age. If it is small, you can see the pixelation more clearly.
Assuming you do not have a picture already, copy, create a new document then paste the kitty picture to Photoshop.
Now add these adjustment layers in order: a gradient map, posterize, black and white and lastly the pattern with the Dither Name "Dither_25/50/75_Less". I think this one works best. It looks like the pattern fill icon in the picture below.
Optionally you can add a levels and curves adjustment layer then click on the auto button. It made the kitty's eyes stand out.
When you are done, it should look like this. ↓
If you want to paint with indexed colors, select the eyedropper tool and change the sample pull down menu then change it to "Current and Below". This way you will not select the colors of the final output but the hues that make the colors.
Also if you think about it, is pixel art the new age pointillism?
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