diff --git a/ggdt/src/graphics/bitmap/indexed/mod.rs b/ggdt/src/graphics/bitmap/indexed/mod.rs
index 25c62b7..0d12b44 100644
--- a/ggdt/src/graphics/bitmap/indexed/mod.rs
+++ b/ggdt/src/graphics/bitmap/indexed/mod.rs
@@ -9,6 +9,17 @@ pub mod primitives;
 pub type IndexedBitmap = Bitmap<u8>;
 
 impl IndexedBitmap {
+	/// Creates a new Bitmap with the specified dimensions.
+	///
+	/// # Arguments
+	///
+	/// * `width`: the width of the bitmap in pixels
+	/// * `height`: the height of the bitmap in pixels
+	///
+	/// returns: `Result<Bitmap, BitmapError>`
+	pub fn new(width: u32, height: u32) -> Result<Self, BitmapError> {
+		Self::internal_new(width, height)
+	}
 
 	pub fn load_file(path: &Path) -> Result<(Self, Palette), BitmapError> {
 		if let Some(extension) = path.extension() {
diff --git a/ggdt/src/graphics/bitmap/mod.rs b/ggdt/src/graphics/bitmap/mod.rs
index 29fc8f0..c42e4b2 100644
--- a/ggdt/src/graphics/bitmap/mod.rs
+++ b/ggdt/src/graphics/bitmap/mod.rs
@@ -60,15 +60,9 @@ impl<PixelType: Pixel> std::fmt::Debug for Bitmap<PixelType> {
 impl<PixelType: Pixel> Bitmap<PixelType> {
 	pub const PIXEL_SIZE: usize = std::mem::size_of::<PixelType>();
 
-	/// Creates a new Bitmap with the specified dimensions.
-	///
-	/// # Arguments
-	///
-	/// * `width`: the width of the bitmap in pixels
-	/// * `height`: the height of the bitmap in pixels
-	///
-	/// returns: `Result<Bitmap, BitmapError>`
-	pub fn new(width: u32, height: u32) -> Result<Self, BitmapError> {
+	// not public to force creation via one of the concrete types (even though this
+	// would technically work and be fine-ish)
+	fn internal_new(width: u32, height: u32) -> Result<Self, BitmapError> {
 		if width == 0 || height == 0 {
 			return Err(BitmapError::InvalidDimensions);
 		}
@@ -100,7 +94,7 @@ impl<PixelType: Pixel> Bitmap<PixelType> {
 			return Err(BitmapError::OutOfBounds);
 		}
 
-		let mut bmp = Self::new(region.width, region.height)?;
+		let mut bmp = Self::internal_new(region.width, region.height)?;
 		unsafe { bmp.solid_blit(source, region, 0, 0) };
 		Ok(bmp)
 	}
diff --git a/ggdt/src/graphics/bitmap/rgb/mod.rs b/ggdt/src/graphics/bitmap/rgb/mod.rs
index 9206b9f..f3be96a 100644
--- a/ggdt/src/graphics/bitmap/rgb/mod.rs
+++ b/ggdt/src/graphics/bitmap/rgb/mod.rs
@@ -1,9 +1,19 @@
-use crate::graphics::bitmap::Bitmap;
+use crate::graphics::bitmap::{Bitmap, BitmapError};
 
 pub mod blit;
 
 pub type RgbaBitmap = Bitmap<u32>;
 
 impl RgbaBitmap {
-
+	/// Creates a new Bitmap with the specified dimensions.
+	///
+	/// # Arguments
+	///
+	/// * `width`: the width of the bitmap in pixels
+	/// * `height`: the height of the bitmap in pixels
+	///
+	/// returns: `Result<Bitmap, BitmapError>`
+	pub fn new(width: u32, height: u32) -> Result<Self, BitmapError> {
+		Self::internal_new(width, height)
+	}
 }
diff --git a/ggdt/tests/graphics_indexed.rs b/ggdt/tests/graphics_indexed.rs
index a0b09e7..d809e02 100644
--- a/ggdt/tests/graphics_indexed.rs
+++ b/ggdt/tests/graphics_indexed.rs
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ use ggdt::prelude::*;
 
 fn setup() -> (IndexedBitmap, Palette) {
 	let palette = Palette::new_vga_palette().unwrap();
-	let screen = Bitmap::new(SCREEN_WIDTH, SCREEN_HEIGHT).unwrap();
+	let screen = IndexedBitmap::new(SCREEN_WIDTH, SCREEN_HEIGHT).unwrap();
 	(screen, palette)
 }
 
@@ -523,7 +523,7 @@ fn generate_bitmap(width: i32, height: i32) -> IndexedBitmap {
 	let x_third = width / 3;
 	let y_third = height / 3;
 
-	let mut bitmap = Bitmap::new(width as u32, height as u32).unwrap();
+	let mut bitmap = IndexedBitmap::new(width as u32, height as u32).unwrap();
 
 	bitmap.filled_rect(0, 0, x_third, y_third, 1);
 	bitmap.filled_rect(x_third * 2 + 1, y_third * 2 + 1, width - 1, height - 1, 2);