diff --git a/mandel.s b/mandel.s
index 472f613..9546b68 100644
--- a/mandel.s
+++ b/mandel.s
@@ -234,9 +234,9 @@ display_list_len = display_list_end - display_list_start
 color_map:
     .byte 0
     .repeat 85
-        .byte %01010101
-        .byte %10101010
-        .byte %11111111
+        .byte 1
+        .byte 2
+        .byte 3
     .endrepeat
 
 
@@ -285,11 +285,6 @@ fill_masks:
     .byte %00000001
     .byte %00000000
 
-pixel_masks:
-    .byte %11111111
-    .byte %11110000
-    .byte %11000000
-
 viewport_zoom:
     .byte 1
     .byte 6
@@ -1135,11 +1130,8 @@ enough:
     ; iter -> color
     ldx iter
     lda color_map,x
-    ldx fill_level
-    and pixel_masks,x
     sta pixel_color
-    lda pixel_masks,x
-    eor #$ff
+    lda #(255 - 3)
     sta pixel_mask
 
     ; sy -> line base address in temp
@@ -1188,15 +1180,18 @@ point:
     ; pixel_mask <<= pixel_shift (shifting in ones)
     and #3
     sta pixel_shift
+    lda #3
+    sec
+    sbc pixel_shift
     tax
 shift_loop:
     beq shift_done
-    lsr pixel_color
-    lsr pixel_color
+    asl pixel_color
+    asl pixel_color
     sec
-    ror pixel_mask
+    rol pixel_mask
     sec
-    ror pixel_mask
+    rol pixel_mask
     dex
     jmp shift_loop
 shift_done:
diff --git a/todo.md b/todo.md
index e8cffe3..284d653 100644
--- a/todo.md
+++ b/todo.md
@@ -11,7 +11,8 @@ things to try:
 
 * y-axis mirror optimization
 
-* try filling in the extra scanlines on 4x4 and 2x2 tiering
+* 'wide pixels' 2x and 4x for a fuller initial image in the tiered rendering
+  * maybe redo tiering to just 4x4, 2x2, 1x1?
 
 * extract viewport for display & re-input via keyboard