I agree, it would be good practice to not have a reference as it would force me to remember what I have learned for the outcome to be any good. I was getting a bit worried that these posts weren't right for pixelation as it's more about improving single pieces here. Could I ask if anyone knows a site that would offer critique that this kind of quick practice stuff would be better suited for (I was thinking something like
www.conceptart.org). Cheers.
Oh ps Arachne & Adarias offered some info earlier for the sprites that this thread was original for but I didn't get to updating it, just wanted to say thanks for the help and it will definitely come in use for many other sprites I'll make in the future.