If you like to create graphics from scratch like I do, arrays can be quite powerful. Since game characters from retro-style games are just a collection of pixels, I used a multi-dimensional array to represent each pixel colour from the character Alis in Phantasy Star (Sega Master System, 1987). Then, I made a procedure that displays the character on the screen (it also lets you set the size of each 'pixel' so that you can change the size of the character).
Feel free to make your own pixel game characters and use my procedure
Just follow the instructions in the comments carefully.