First, I'm glad you guys liked my edit.
I still think it's a bit too much time for something just meant to show a few techniques (and as Feron have mentioned, one might feel discouraged to go on. But it's so much fun!
).
Although is good to know that an artist I respect thinks 1/2 hour is cool.
Obsidantion: I don't think you should worry about gobbling it all up at once, but IMHO you should start with:
1. (in this case) researching the human anatomy.
----Google for resources and remember you own one of these! Stand in front of the mirror and move your head so you can understand how muscle/fat/bones show on the surface of your skin. Then how light affects it.
2. Pixeling techniques (
videos: this topic have helped me a great deal in the last weeks of learning)
----a. coloring -> This is THE place to learn. Adarias, Helm, Arachne... many topics covering the art of picking a good palette.
Check this out!----a. AA -> there are some seriously cool topics on this subject, right here on the forums!
Derek Yu did a great job explaining this. ----b. shading -> When I was starting, I used to render basic 3D volumes/light sources, oppening the image on photoshop and turn it into pixel art without tracing or using the eyedropper tool.
Again, Derek yu explains how to use dither.Anyway: be patient, grasshopper. Try not to get too frustrated and keep practicing, because none of the best artists I know learned everything within a week.
Cheers!
-Stefano