Pencil Tool
Draw hard-edged pixel art lines with full control over every pixel for retro-style graphics.
Drawing
Shortcut: BBeginner4 min readQuick Reference
Pencil Tool
AsepriteKeyboard Shortcut
Bkey
Toolbar Location
Aseprite toolbar — Drawing tools group
Best Used For
- ▸Create pixel-perfect sprites and character art
- ▸Draw precise outlines and fill areas with color
- ▸Paint soft transitions for shading and gradients
Beginner-Friendly⏱ 15–30 minutes to master
Key Settings
Draw:Adjust size:[]
The Pencil Tool is Aseprite's primary drawing tool for pixel art. Unlike traditional brush tools, it draws with hard, aliased edges — every pixel is either fully colored or transparent. This is essential for pixel-perfect artwork.
With the Pencil Tool, you have complete control over individual pixels. It supports all Aseprite features including layers, frames, and palette colors.
Where to Find It
The Pencil Tool is the first tool in the Aseprite toolbar, represented by a pencil icon. Press B to select it.
How to Use
- Draw: Click and drag to draw pixels. Each click colors one pixel.
- Adjust size: Use [ and ] to change the brush size.
- Straight lines: Click a start point, hold Shift, then click an end point.
- Pick color: Hold Alt to temporarily switch to the Eyedropper.
Pro Tips
- Zoom to 800% for single-pixel editing precision.
- Use the Grid (View > Grid) to see individual pixel boundaries.
- Combine with the Eyedropper for fast color picking while drawing.