A vexel is a style of digital art that uses block shapes of color to create an image.
Vexels can be created in various methods but the overall process is to stack shapes of a certain shape and color to create a whole image. To the left is a very simple example of how the shapes work.
Vexels can be closely traced from a photograph, drawn from scratch or based loosely on another picture. They can also be of anything at all - most commonly you will see vexels of people but they are not limited to that at all.
You can achieve very different styles of vexels by the number of shapes you use. Very few shapes will give you a simple stylized look and using many shapes will give a more realistic look.
What is the difference between vector and vexel?
That is like comparing apples to.. elephants. Vector is a type of art, it doesn't have to look like anything in particular. Just like "painting" doesn't have to look like anything in particular, it is just a medium. Vexels on the other hand are a style of art - as described above.
For a long time these images were always referred to as "vector art" regardless of whether they were actually vector or not.
Vector uses mathematical equations to create lines and shapes in images, it allows the shapes to be resized as much as needed without losing any quality.
Raster on the other hand works in
pixels, when resized the image pixellizes and loses quality as shown to the right.
In all, working in vector has it’s advantages but vexels can be created in either vector or raster format since the process and result is significantly similar. The important point is to not call your images vector if they aren’t.
Vector Graphics explaination at Wikipedia.
Some examples of what is and isn’t a vexel:
Please be aware that just because something isn’t a vexel doesn’t make it any less of an art. The word vexel isn’t a trophy, so you shouldn’t be discouraged from doing any kind of art you like, however remember this is
vexels.net!
Is anything made in a vector program a vexel?
No. Programs like illustrator have features such as the gradient mesh tool which can allow people to create images which are nothing like vexels. Remember, the main defining factor of a vexel is the clean block shapes of color. This is not to say the gradient mesh tool isn’t allowed, it simply depends on how it is used.
Where did the term Vexel come from?
Seth came up with the term. It is a mixture of "Vector" and "Pixel" - meaning a pixel based image in the style of a vector [sic]. You can read the text from the original thread
here.
How do I make a vexel?
Check out the
vexel tutorial listing.
Rules - A list of rules for submitting an image to vexels.net. We have moderators who will suspend your image if it doesn't adhere to these rules.
Line Art and Gradients - Information about using line art or gradients and when it is and isn't a vexel.
Creation - The text taken from (defunct) Nova Boards when Seth created the word vexel.
