i did a little redraw, before i explain what i did i want to say that im also a beginner with pixel art, and im not a expert by any means, especially with nes game designs. and i only designed it simply so you get an idea what i mean.
but what i did was
- redid the arm. in your picture it looked like he had 2 elbows, because you started the arm with a straight line, i started the arm with slanting lines (it becomes much easier to draw)
- i alsocolored in his other hand, it was green before, i have no idea if that was what you wanted, but if you want to keep the green hand i suggest to use another green, maybe the light one he have on
- i changed the skincolor, becuase he looked a bit sunburned, the color was too red. (i took a color from a snes game charater)
i changed
- i changed the contrast on the colors, it very easy to overdo it (i always over do it) but the picture can become hard to look at if the colors is too strong.
- i changed the jaw shape, he looked a bit crooked, and i changed it so it looks a bit rounder
- i changed the legs thickness so they matched
- and lastly i added the the rounde thing on his chest. i did because i though it would held his outfit togheter. but this was only my personal choice
i want to say that for being a first drawing you did good, you had a very complex reference.
as i said before, i am a beinnger so all my redos maybe isnt the best. and you dont have too keep them, thats your choice, but i wanted to show you a example