Choosing a pixel size is one of the fastest ways to improve the final result of a Wplace painting. It sounds like a small setting, but it affects three things at once: how much detail your image keeps, how long the reference will take to paint, and how easy it is to read from a distance. If you pick a size that is too small, the plan becomes time-consuming and noisy. If you pick one that is too large, the image turns into a simplified silhouette and loses the details that made it interesting in the first place. This guide is meant to give you a practical starting point. There is no single best value for every image, but there are reliable patterns you can use to choose faster and more confidently. ## Start with the goal, not the slider Before you decide on a pixel size, ask what you are trying to make: - A small icon or logo that needs clean edges? - A portrait where the face should still be recognizable? - A landscape or background scene where color blocks matter more than tiny details? - A collaborative piece that many people will paint together? The answer matters because each type of image tolerates different amounts of simplification. A logo usually benefits from a slightly larger pixel size because the outline stays strong. A portrait often needs a middle setting so facial features survive. A landscape can go either way depending on whether the image is meant to read from afar or reward close inspection. ## Practical pixel-size ranges The exact number depends on your source image and canvas goals, but these ranges are a useful default: ### 1 to 2 pixels Best for: - Very small, simple images - Icons with bold shapes - Cases where you want maximum fidelity Tradeoff: - More detail, but much more work - Small mistakes become harder to spot and fix - The final painting can become too dense for casual collaboration ### 3 to 4 pixels Best for: - Most portraits - Medium-complexity drawings - Reference images with a good balance of shapes and detail Tradeoff: - Slightly less detail than the original - Usually the best compromise between readability and effort ### 5 to 8 pixels Best for: - Simple logos - Stylized scenes - Quick concepts and test conversions Tradeoff: - Fine details disappear quickly - Strong shapes survive, but thin lines may vanish ### 9 pixels and above Best for: - Very large murals - Blocky, intentionally simplified art - Drafts where you only want the broad composition Tradeoff: - Fast to paint - Easy to read from far away - Not suitable if the original image depends on subtle gradients or tiny features ## Match the pixel size to the source image Different source images behave differently when converted: ### Photos Photos usually need a medium or larger pixel size because too much detail creates visual noise. If you keep the size too small, you may end up with many similar colors that are hard to paint and hard to recognize. ### Illustrations Illustrations often work well with smaller sizes because the lines and shapes are already clear. If the drawing has strong outlines, you can usually preserve more of the original personality. ### Logos Logos are usually easiest to convert. Try to keep the size just large enough to preserve the outline and leave room for the negative space that makes the logo readable. ### Text-heavy images Text is the most fragile category. If the text needs to remain readable, do not push the pixel size too high. Sometimes it is better to recreate the text separately rather than rely on automatic conversion. ## A simple decision process When you are unsure, follow this quick process: 1. Start with a medium setting such as 3 or 4 pixels. 2. Check whether the main shapes still read clearly. 3. If the image feels too busy, increase the size one step. 4. If the image loses important detail, reduce it one step. 5. Stop when the image becomes easy to paint without losing the identity of the original. This approach usually saves time because you are not trying to find the perfect setting all at once. You are checking for the point where the image is still recognizable but no longer overloaded with tiny parts. ## Common mistakes ### Going too small by default Many people assume smaller means better. That is true only if the canvas and the painting team can support the extra work. Otherwise, the reference becomes difficult to complete and the useful detail never shows up in practice. ### Ignoring the final viewing distance If the audience will see the piece from far away, tiny detail is less important than strong composition. In that case, larger pixels can actually improve the result. ### Using the same size for every image This is the most common workflow mistake. A portrait, a logo, and a background scene should not all use the same setting just because it worked once before. ## A good rule of thumb If you want one simple rule to remember, use this: > Pick the smallest pixel size that still keeps the image easy to paint. That rule keeps you from oversimplifying, but it also prevents you from making the reference harder to finish than it needs to be. ## Final check before you export Before you download the result, make sure: - The main subject is still recognizable - The outline is easy to trace - The color blocks are not so tiny that they become hard to paint - The image still looks good when you step back from the screen If those four things are true, your pixel size is probably close to the right choice.