I made some pixel art and for once I didn't forget to save the different stages, so I thought I'd post it here for a change
First off, here's my reference, Marc Bolan from T-Rex:
I started with a silhouette, keeping the hair line for later:
Then I defined the core facial features as clusters:
Next, I defined two more important clusters, overlapping the previous clusters:
Highlights were next on the list:
To finish off the facial part, I added in more tones. At this point, I also added some rather abrasive colors in the palette, to make the picture more interesting. It kinda works, but it makes certain parts hard to get right.
Next I did a color reduction of a filtered version of the original, which I then put into an indexed palette. The result is not pixel perfect of course, but I proceeded to put the face on. I also wrote Marc's signature by hand, and added AA (which is not stellar, I realize).
Next, I re-evaluated all the clusters created by the color reduction, tightened them up back to pixel perfect level, to make for a finished picture:
Being a big Marc Bolan fan, I know the likeness of the original reference and thus, my version, is not too great. I might rectify this. The issue is mainly that the eyes need to be a bit different and the lips need to be more pouting. Also, I'm debating whether I should give him a hat.
Edit:
Gave him a neck and improved the likeness (I'm now happy with the likeness):
For now though, critique time. Rip it apart gents. I could especially use some help on the AA of the lettering. I seem to have lost my touch with AA.