there is no 'how you like it' when it comes to monitor calibration. If you want to do art/view art on your monitor, calibrate it neutrally using some online tester. Contrast to max is insane.
I do not see what Kon is saying, possibly because my eyes are like that? Or because I have a properly calibrated monitor? In 1x, mine is a bit harsher and darker, but generally intact. The volumetrics are faked with the dithering. The edit was exaggerated anyway, to show how dithering works at such a res I don't see the point of people coming and posting on this thread about how my edit is 'not as good'. I wasn't trying to upstage lief. I explained from my first post that optimization for 1x zoom for pixel artists is of arguable use to the pixel artist. On irc again, lief said that he intended this to be seen at 1024, and therefore I was explaining how you must make pixel art with what res you have in mind at all times. He understood (discussed it over irc). This isn't me trying to make a better icon. It's me showing how at that res detail and colours and clarity take on a different pecking order.