I learned how to pixelate by using generators and vectors as part of my education. I generated a 7 spoke gear for my game. Doing that by hand is a daunting task to me. The tiles I'm making now are from my head, but they feel procedural. I think it was Adam C Younis who told me I would do well by following a set of rules. I create tiles in a way that feels logical to me. My levels may make statements via the resulting environments, but my tile creation is guided by the limitations of the medium. I can imitate any art style IRL, but I've just done it because I can and not because I enjoy it. I like the challenge of a mindless platformer, so I'm doing the required work to get to the reward.
I've composed over a hundred songs throughout my life in a similarly procedural way. I've been having more fun on a classical guitar than in a DAW for a couple of years. I wasn't really aware of the joy of music until recently.