Rasterpildiks

Rasterpildiks is a term used in contemporary visual art to describe artworks that combine rasterized, grid-like imagery with tactile painting or drawing techniques. The label is applied by some online communities to a hybrid aesthetic that sits between digital pixel culture and handmade media.

Artists working in this approach typically create raster images in digital software, then reproduce them on physical supports such as canvas, wood, or board by painting blocky fields, applying stencils, or using masking techniques. The result emphasizes the clash between the crisp edges of digital pixels and the irregularities of manual application, often producing works with bold color blocks and a tactile surface.

Origin and diffusion: The term emerged in online art forums and social platforms in the early 2020s as creators explored hybrid media and the dialogue between digital and handmade practices. It is not tied to a single institution or movement, but rather to a loose set of methods and aesthetic choices.

Characteristics and reception: Common features include limited, high-contrast color palettes, hard-edged geometric shapes, and layered surfaces that evoke pixel grids. The approach is frequently linked to discussions about digitization, materiality, and the interface between screen-based imagery and physical art. Critics note its playful critique of digital permanence, while others view it as a derivative blend of pixel art and glitch art.

See also: pixel art, glitch art, raster graphics, mixed media.