Inspiration & Palettes

PixxeleateStyle guide

Creative direction guide

Choose the mood before you paint the memory.

Use this page like a calm creative guide. Start with the feeling of the photo, then choose the palette and surface style that will shape the piece you paint, gift, or display.

Start with the kind of photo you love

Different memories ask for different painting moods.

A pet portrait, a family moment, a quiet home scene, and a warm still life should not all ask for the same rhythm. Use the guide below to match the source photo to a palette and surface style that supports both the subject and the painting experience.

Dog portrait source photo for pet canvas inspiration
PetsVivo or Bella with Irregular or Packed Circles
Couple beach source photo for keepsake canvas inspiration
CouplesLumina for airy, Aurora for intimate
Home keepsake source photo for paintable canvas inspiration
Home memoriesBella or Nordic for a calm keepsake
Cherry still life source photo for warm palette inspiration
Still lifeSolara or Vivo when color is the point

Which palette should I choose?

Choose the mood before the canvas is made.

Each palette changes the feeling of the same photo, from soft and calm to rich and bold.

Lumina palette sample
LuminaBright, clear, balanced

Choose for: airy portraits, engagement photos, bright rooms, clean family memories.

Watch for: very dark scenes may need a richer palette.

Vivo palette sample
VivoRich detail and contrast

Choose for: pets, keepsakes, dramatic light, colorful subjects, strong focal points.

Watch for: already-busy photos can feel more intense.

Bella palette sample
BellaSoft and beginner-friendly

Choose for: gentle portraits, nursery gifts, sentimental keepsakes, soft pet photos.

Watch for: low-contrast images may become very quiet.

Solara palette sample
SolaraWarm and vibrant

Choose for: sunlit scenes, food, florals, vacation color, cheerful gifts.

Watch for: cool interiors may become warmer than expected.

Aurora palette sample
AuroraCinematic and atmospheric

Choose for: moody landscapes, date-night memories, evening light, emotional portraits.

Watch for: very bright scenes may feel more dramatic.

Nordic palette sample
NordicClean and minimal

Choose for: modern homes, simple portraits, neutral rooms, quiet homes, design-led gifts.

Watch for: colorful photos will become more restrained.

Best for by photo type

Match the palette to the memory someone will paint.

PetsUse a close, expressive face.

Bella is gentle, Vivo keeps fur detail, and Irregular Circles feel organic, while Packed Circles can make the surface feel richer up close.

Couples & familyKeep faces clear and naturally lit.

Lumina feels bright and celebratory; Aurora adds intimacy for evening or cinematic photos.

KeepsakesChoose a moment you want to revisit.

Bella keeps it tender, Lumina keeps it clear, and Packed Circles can make the surface feel richer by hand.

Home & interiorsThink about the room before the palette.

Nordic is quiet and modern, Lumina feels clean, and Bella softens sentimental corners.

Gifts & keepsakesChoose the feeling someone you love will recognize.

Soft palettes feel tender; rich palettes feel bold; framed options can make the finished piece feel more display-ready.

Which surface style fits my image?

Surface style changes the painting rhythm.

It is not just a decoration. The surface style changes both how the finished piece reads and how the image feels to follow while painting.

Square Pixxeleate surface style example from a pet portrait
Squares
Overlapped-circle Pixxeleate surface style example from a pet portrait
Overlapped
Irregular-circle Pixxeleate surface style example from a pet portrait
Irregular
Packed-circle Pixxeleate surface style example from a pet portrait
Packed
SquaresCrisp and detailed

Best when faces, keepsakes, or small details need structure.

Overlapped CirclesExpressive and softly layered

Best when you want a more art-like surface without losing the subject.

Irregular CirclesOrganic and hand-touched

Best for pets, portraits, and scenes that should feel loose rather than gridded.

Packed CirclesRich and immersive

Best for pets, landscapes, dramatic color, and art-object surface texture.

If your photo is...

A quick recommendation map.

Dark or moodyTry Aurora or Vivo

Aurora adds atmosphere; Vivo helps hold contrast and detail.

Bright outdoorTry Lumina or Solara

Lumina keeps it clear; Solara brings warmth and energy.

Soft portraitTry Bella or Lumina

Bella feels tender; Lumina keeps the result light and clean.

Colorful still lifeTry Solara or Vivo

Solara celebrates warmth; Vivo keeps color and contrast lively.

Minimal interiorTry Nordic with Squares or Irregular Circles

Nordic keeps the room quiet; Squares add crisp structure, while Irregular Circles feel more organic.