I have a new computer operating system—that works! I've gained developer privileges to my smartphone to remove corporate spyware that was draining the battery. Both devices seem to be working better now that before, requiring less electricity, which is good as we're expecting another active thunderstorm period in my area. I should be able to work on my animation through this week even if I need to avoid power outlets for a few hours each day.

(Safety Note: Don't use plugged-in electronics during thunderstorms. Lightning can travel through electricity wires, and however rare, has killed people that way. Same goes for interacting with water, even indoors, when that can be avoided without causing health problems.)

Speaking of rain...

"Tutorial - Easy Pixel Rain" by SqdPxl on DeviantArt (2018)

https://www.deviantart.com/sqdpxl/art/TUTORIAL-EASY-PIXEL-RAIN-724082950

I'm trying to figure out why something that's supposed to be quick and easy makes me so miserable. Because I've discovered that I despise animating rain in pixel art. It takes much longer than expected. I'm doing something wrong, maybe? My canvas size is much too large for the instructions available? Unfortunately, rain is an important element of the story scene I'm attempting to animate for Halloween Spooktacular 2023.

Also unfortunate is that the program I was using to draft the animation is not working on my new OS as a download. I can use Piskel as an web app, except that for me, the online version is glitchier. I suspect it was not designed with unstable internet in mind.

More misfortune: My favorite raster editor for working with larger canvases than what Piskel can handle well also no longer works for me. I've yet to find an alternative that does what I want.

Deep breaths.

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Image: Two indigo, rounded-top mushrooms on a transparent background.

Canvas: 64 by 64 pixels.

Program: Piskel.

Note: Another version was published on mastodon.art yesterday.