Can I give an NPC a new portrait too?

Yes. Portraits load from Portraits/ , for example Portraits/Abigail, at 64x64 per expression and two per row. Add a second EditImage patch with that target.

Do I need to unpack the XNB files?

Only to look at the original sheet for reference. Content Patcher loads plain PNG files, so the image you export from the editor goes in as is.

The sheet I like is 32x32. Can I still use it?

For a farm animal like a cow, yes, those are 32x32. For an NPC you would need to redraw it at 16x32, which the built-in pixel editor can do frame by frame.

Pixel art sprites for Stardew Valley mods

Browse sheets other people drew and released for reuse, rearrange one into the Stardew NPC layout, and load it with Content Patcher. Downloads are free and need no account.

Browse the gallery Open the editor

Recent sheets that fit Stardew Valley

The latest uploads with frames no bigger than 32x32. None of it was drawn for Stardew specifically, so look for a 16x32 or 16x16 badge if you want to skip resizing.

See the whole gallery

Stardew Valley sprite sizes

NPC overworld sprite: 16x32 per frame, 4 frames per row (64px wide)
NPC row order: Down, right, up, left
Portraits: 64x64 per expression, 2 per row
Small animals and items: 16x16
Mod framework: SMAPI + Content Patcher

content.json

{
  "Format": "2.0.0",
  "Changes": [
    {
      "Action": "EditImage",
      "Target": "Characters/Abigail",
      "FromFile": "assets/abigail.png"
    }
  ]
}

Load a gallery sheet with Content Patcher

1Open the gallery and look for sheets with a 16x32 or 16x16 badge. Those drop into Stardew without resizing.
2Click Open in Editor. Set Columns to 4 and turn on Force Size at 16x32 so every cell matches the NPC grid.
3Order the frames down, right, up, left, four per row. Drag frames to swap them.
4Export a PNG and save it as assets/yourname.png in your [CP] mod folder.
5Point Content Patcher at it with an EditImage patch, like the one below.

Common Stardew sprite problems

The NPC walks the wrong way.: The rows are in the wrong order. Stardew reads row 1 as walking down, then right, up and left. Reorder the frames in the editor and export again.
The head is cut off or the feet float.: The frames are not 16x32. Turn on Force Size at 16x32 and keep the feet on the bottom row of each cell.
Another mod replaces your sprite.: Two mods used Load on the same target, and only one can win. EditImage patches on top instead, which is why the example uses it.
SMAPI says the content pack is missing a dependency.: manifest.json needs "ContentPackFor": { "UniqueID": "Pathoschild.ContentPatcher" } and Content Patcher has to be installed.

Using gallery art in a Nexus upload

Nexus asks every mod page to state its asset permissions. For gallery art the answer is simple: the uploader released it for anyone to reuse, in free or paid work, and credit is optional.

Leave out anything traced from Stardew itself or another game. An uploader cannot give away art they did not make, and a rip can get your mod page reported.

Read the terms

Stardew Valley modding questions

Find a sprite for your next NPC

Open any sheet in the editor and rearrange it into the 16x32 grid before you download.

Browse the gallery