I really wanna practice pixel art more but usually when I try to I just open photoshop and don't really know what to do. I just sorta stare at it. I sometimes think of something I wanna draw like maybe a head but no matter what I do it just doesn't feel right and I can't get a feel of what I want at all. There's just very rare occasions where things just work out and I know how to draw something. Thing is I can draw fine with a reference but even then I don't tend to do a very good job of it and I usually look at other pixel art examples to get an idea of what I should do (I don't like making things super realistic. I'd rather they have a style to them like chibi). I know I'll get a lot of "just practice" but like I said, I just find it hard to do anything when I try to practice so if I could get advice on what to do besides that it'd be great.

First post on these forums. I was following along with a tutorial which had me make a naked RPG character base and have it face 4 directions and I'd like some advice. This is what I've made so far



I'm not sure if there's any reason to shade a base but I'd still like to properly shade this to practice shading in general.
I think the ones facing left and right have the most problems but advice on the other ones is still appreciated.