That's so he can insert the gun sprite.

Okay I see, since this is you, then just maybe take some time looking in a mirror. Since you are the model you can take an exact picture to get the perspective correct and you can see how things are spaced out look at forms and lighting. Over all its getting better, try to strive to make it look just like you. If you think that it doesn't look like you then try to see why and adjust.

Okay, um I'm not good at this but I'll try to explain what I think the best I can.

     Well Over all I respect a person that goes back to learn something right Instead of going on to learn that you still had never over come the problem (and it haunts your works). It's good to address it now before you consistently keep doing in in the future. Well to tackle my first qualm I'd have to say that the dithering is no good. Though dithering can look out standing and add extra colors, it has to be done correctly with the help of adjacent colors and contrasts. Here you have not accomplished that. It's better to under stand I think in your stage of learning that shapes is everything. The correct shape or as I've seen before "pixel clusters" directly translates into a convincing dithering technique. For now I'd focous on shade shapes and I dont think that dithering is nessary in this piece, though it can be achived.
     Okay another Idea I'd like to throw out there is contrast, don't be shy to delve into the deep end of the contrast pool. You need to understand that shades work together and a team to create something, and portray an image. Right now from your drawing you have two dark shades, correct? But the difference between the two is minimal. Make the viewer see that their are to shades, if that's not what you want to achieve then just remove one shade completely, its not doing any thing any way. Now from everyone's understanding we can all agree that ducks or rubber ones for that matter can be shiny.Yes. So I understand your idea to but a extremely lighter shade. I think you pushed the light too far and it became unnatural, also buffer between colors helps soften the edges and doesn't give the eye something sharp to look at. and remember simplify simplify simplify, when you come over ambitious you can start to complicate things,when you thought dithering could solve all problems. I say have a plan and execute.     
     Colors are a sore subject on my part but most things are. First off you should always, always understand that just because you have one color specifically for the beak doesn't mean that, that specific color can be found in the yellow of the duck it self. My art teacher used to say "spread the love" (she was and is crazy) but I think shes some what right in the fact that colors are everywhere and can be used in smart ways to trick the eye.
     Now I see you daintily threw down a shadow below the duck. I can see this was done with little thought because your intentions show you wanted a top light source. So I say, why then would your shadow imply a right light source?
     Okay I know this might be unimpressive to most but I thought it conveyed some point and I hope I helped, If I didn't then I'm very sorry.


Light doesn't deceive it does not mean to trick, it's science in motion its a law and once you know the abilities of light the more you comprehend. What applies for one idea will always apply nothing will change or has since.

Really my intentions were not to piss anyone off and if there's something wrong I would also like to lean also.

This is just a random backdrop. I'm concerned that I'm not fully understanding colors to their full potential. I also think that I'm not fully understanding dithering, I think I'm over using an already overused  technique. The top platform needs some sort of definition, I know, I'm trying to represent slabs of flat rock rather than the boulders seen on lower levels. In the negative space I'm thinking about adding pines or furs or some sort of forest. Just a couple of visible trees and some above the main platform in the distance, but not to obstruct the view of the mountain. Would vines work? Hanging from the rocks, that is? I'll add tuffs of grass and flowers later. The more I ponder this over the option of mock-up is ever so tempting.