Hello,
I find it's easier to give an idea when you use a .gif for people than just the individual frames to give them a better idea. This increases your chances of getting feedback about your art.
I have a few suggestions if you're interested:
*Have you tried using colors do define shape instead of a black outline? Black outlines are useful for games to make the sprite stand out from the background but have you tried not having them
in the actual sprite? You're losing some valuable pixels that way.
*Some colors are so similar there's little point in having them together as the eye won't pick them up due to lack of contrast. I'm talking about the grey/white of the face here.
*Have you looked how other games did it? Mario is simply designed and can give good ideas:
or Mega Man:
Mimic his position:
*For the actual animation, if you're concerned about responsiveness, just don't use any frames pre-jump (like mega man and mario on the nes).
*There are some really great animators out there. Check out SF III for jump animation ideas. There are tons!
I practiced learning and jumping animation by checking frame by frame how capcom did it. Maybe it'll help you too.
P.S.: I like the character, reminds me of ice climbers on the nes.
PPS: Sorry, didn't read the previous post about Mega Man, my bad!