Here's how I work with Indexed colors in GraphicsGale.

Start a new file and draw some stuff.
This is your dude:


Then you'll want to put your image into an Indexed color mode:


If you select a color and edit it with the color sliders it will change the color anywhere it is used in the image:


But this will act as the palette for the entire animation.
So let's set an option that allows each frame of animation to use its own palette:


Now add some new frames:

I like to use the Hotkeys:
1 - Copy frame
2 - Paste frame to the right
They are simple and accessible. But it's up to you.

Now when you edit colors they will be isolated per frame:



More Hotkeys:
Q - Previous frame
E - Next frame
That way we can jump between them quickly.

The preview window will be flashing all of the color palettes like crazy.
If you find the Preview window annoying you can pause it:


Save your work. Make a backup. Eat a sandwich.
When you're done if you really want to see them side by side you have to change back the color mode:


Then export the frames:


and you'll get an image like this:


Notes:
A lot of the UI shown has been edited to be more compact.
It will look similar but not exactly the same in GraphicsGale.
You can start drawing in one of the Index Color modes right from the start if you like.

Depending on the hardware some games do actually run on an Color Table or Index based graphics engine.
But it is not necessary to run in an indexed color mode (some graphics APIs such as OpenGL give you the option) as you can write your own code to handle color palettes.

You can totally alter image data using Pixel Shaders:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shader
http://www.facewound.com/tutorials/shader1/

Many different effects can be achieved including palette swaps.
How you write the Shader to handle the color swap is very flexible.
The data can be passed in as RGBA values or you could pass in a tiny texture that has your palette of choice lined up.
Then using some simple index math you can access each of the colors as if it were an array.
Conceptually it would be something like this:


But really you could pass in a texture with a single pixel of each color (I've made a 2x2 just for a bit more clarity):


So now that you have a base table if you pass in another palette as a texture:



you can compare them and make the color swaps inside the shader.
This is HLSL code:

float4 ColorSwap(InStruct data) : COLOR  <-------- Pixel Shader function signature
{
  float4 color = tex2D(image, data.texel);  <-------- Get the image data of the current texel

  if(color == colorTable1(0))                    <-------- Compare current texel color to the "Base" Color Table's index 0
    color = colorTable2(0);                        <-------- Swap the current texel color to the new Color Table's index 0

  if(color == colorTable1(1))                    <-------- Compare current texel color to the "Base" Color Table's index 1
    color = colorTable2(1);                        <-------- Swap the current texel color to the new Color Table's index 1

  .....for each index......

  return color;                                       <-------- Set the current texel color to be drawn
}

Of course if you're looking to do something like this it requires some prerequisites:
- C and C++ coding knowledge
- DirectX, OpenGL or some other graphics API
- HLSL or GLSL or other Shading language
- Basic game engine

If you are not a coder some of the more "Game Maker" type programs also support Shaders.
I know that MultimediaFuison2 HWA does. Not sure what other programs do.
There is a few decent packs of Shaders that you can download for MMF2.
But if you want to make your own you'd have to learn HLSL or some similar shading language.

I want to do another post about how to do quick palette swaps in Graphics Gale.
But I'm off to eat lunch.

There are many different things you can consider when making animation.
This is commonly how animation is taught:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/12_basic_principles_of_animation

However it is not necessary that you use all of the principles in every animation that you make.
It is better to focus on a few at a time and practice them.

I know that you said you are happy with your design.
However I felt compelled to add the hat and arms to illustrate follow through and secondary animation.
Just adding a few simple props will give you more to play with and helps bring the character to life when he moves.

Comparison is one of the most powerful art tools.
Save multiple files as you work and always check against your previous version.
Keep what is good, and continue to rework what is not.

Typically you won't bake particle effects into an animation.
It is much more flexible to do particles code side, but its fun to pencil some in to get an idea of what you want them to look like.

Have fun, try different stuff, and just go for it!

nice! thanks Helm. thats really useful.

So I just completed my first semester of an RTIS degree. In game class we had to dev a small project by ourselves using a pre-built engine and function libraries. so i made:



For me part of making games is letting other people play them. And hopefully they enjoy it.
But legally I am unable to distribute the game publicly. However I can share it with friends and family in a private manner.
I have a small presence on this board but I'd still consider you guys friends, so it should be all good.

I can't post the link directly. If anyone is interested in playing the game send me a PM and I will send you the link. if not no biggie.
Feel free to give + and - feedback. tho the game is complete and turned in I could use comments to make my next game better.
Dev time was 6-8 weeks (with plenty of other homework to do). Some bugs still exist.

enjoy! 

agreed. Cintiq is a bit off color. Sometimes to the point where I see no difference between two colors at all.
To overcome that I:
1. Create a Smart Object from all layers.
2. Edit the SM by double clicking. This opens a 2nd window.
3. Leave the original window on your monitor. Drag the SM window to your Cintiq.
4. Draw some stuff.
5. Hit your 'save' hotkey.
6. The original will be updated.
7. Compare and continue.

That way you can see both at the same time without having to move the window back and forth.
I suggest you don't return it. I've really enjoyed mine. but its your call.