PIXEL ART SOFTWARE

I still don't understand how people pixel shit with Paint. I guess it depends on your style or what exactly you're pixelling, but like... There's no precision. None. The pencil tool is a crapshoot to "aim", sizing documents is a pain in the ass, selecting specific areas or dividing your workspace is annoying, especially when creating a tile based project.

I use PyxelEdit. It's a pay what you want software (starting at 9$) built specifically for creating tiled documents and animations. I find it absolutely excellent to use, especially when it comes to workspace management and colour creating. I would recommend it to anybody who wants to do pixel art. It's a dream.

http://pyxeledit.com/

Another one I've been eyeing is Pickle Editor. Looks quite similar to PyxelEdit, but I haven't taken the time to try it out yet. Mirrored Drawing and Wrapping Canvases sound like they'd be really helpful to use though.

http://www.pickleeditor.com/index.php

There is of course Photoshop, which I don't use to directly pixel (although you certainly can). I use it to apply gradient effects and glows to things that I've already finished in PyxelEdit. It's a good tool to have access to if you're into that sort of pixelling.

I've heard good things about Graphics Gale, but I've never used it.

Photoshop all the way. Sure it may not be specially geared towards tiling or animation, but it can be done. Besides, I use it for everything else, from image editing to digital painting. So, whatever little time I waste setting things up for pixel art, is nothing compared to the time I save by not having to jump back and forth from one program to another... =P

There is always GIMP if you don't want to pay the monthly price for Adobe Creative Cloud ($10/mo just for Photoshop, $20/mo for students, and $50/mo for Illustrator and everything else too).

I use Photoshop as well, although I do understand the need for something pyxel edit, because PS is more of an all-around image editor. You have to know your way around it to make it pixel art friendly though.