Artkal bead pattern maker

Translate photos into richer-color bead charts.

Use the broad Artkal S range without losing track of codes. The pattern maker keeps the palette practical and counts every color for you.

Private by design. Your image never leaves this browser.

Your pattern starts here

Choose a photo to explore it with the wider Artkal S color range.

Control a broader palette

More shades, without the color chaos.

Artkal S offers range; PixelSkein keeps that range useful by limiting, consolidating, and counting the colors that survive.

01 / Range

More shades, still controlled

Artkal’s broad S-series range helps with portraits and gradients; the color limit prevents the list from becoming unmanageable.

02 / Matching

Perceptual nearest colors

Lab-space distance prioritizes what looks closest to the eye instead of relying on raw RGB numbers.

03 / Inventory

Codes and counts together

The legend pairs each S-series code with the number of beads used in the final cleaned pattern.

The wide-palette option

Use Artkal’s range without creating a chaotic build.

More available colors can improve fidelity, but only when each extra shade earns its place.

Start below the maximum

Twenty to thirty Artkal colors usually capture a photographic subject while keeping the shopping list realistic. Raise the cap only when a gradient or textile texture visibly needs it.

Check series before ordering

This page uses Artkal S, the hard 5 mm midi line. Artkal C, A, R, and other lines use different codes, sizes, or handling characteristics.

Let cleanup consolidate near-duplicates

A wide palette can create scattered near-colors in shadows. Medium or strong cleanup reduces those interruptions and makes large pieces easier to assemble.

Good to know

Clear answers,
before you start.

Which Artkal series does this tool use?

It uses the Artkal S hard 5 mm midi series. Check the S code before ordering because other Artkal series differ.

Why does Artkal allow more maximum colors here?

The S series has a wider color range, so detailed images can benefit from a slightly larger working palette.

Can I mix Artkal S beads with other brands?

Many makers do, but melt behavior, height, and finish can differ. Test a small fused sample before combining brands in a large piece.

What color count is practical for a portrait?

Start around 20 to 28 colors. Increase only when the preview gains meaningful detail rather than scattered shades.

Are transparent and special-finish colors exact on screen?

No flat screen swatch can reproduce transparency, sparkle, or light response. Treat those previews as identification aids.

Does the tool store my artwork?

No. Your file and generated chart remain local to the current browser session.