Lookin' good, but I notice his jaw is jutting forward by a bit. You put a lot of work into his face so it's probably the way your guy is shaped, but to me it looks like he has sort of a quarter moon-shaped head (the top half of his head looks tilted down, but his jaw area could easily fit on a head that is just slouched not titled). So perhaps move the chin in just a little bit. 

To dragonboy (and in general): [NOTE: These are my thoughts on a solo project.] You sound quite enthused about developing a game, which is great! But, try not to drown before you get in the water, you know? I think it is most important to design something you would enjoy playing. Design a game like you're the only one who matters. Design what you think others will like and it can become very difficult to focus; the more personally attached to your game the better. Design a game disregarding technical limitations of any kind. Is it really worth sacrificing a great idea just to squeeze it onto your favorite system (like Megadrive/SNES)? Even abstract ideas that are potentially great (but don't exist to play) far outweigh a technical example or demo of physics (or something of the like).

The most famous example is Cave Story; made by one person over the course of five years, mostly during late hours as a hobby (he already had a job and family, after all). Having read a few interviews he described no direction and no planning involved. When asked how he composed the music he responded something like "I'd put down a few notes. If they sounded good I kept them, if I disliked them I got rid of them. I repeated this process." I appreciate that kind of work-flow and philosophy, despite not always having the luxury of working at a "relaxed" pace. I get the sense that Cave Story was created at a snails pace; logically, thoughtfully, lots of retreads and reworkings. When (not if) you get a chance to play it you will soon realize (if you haven't already) this game is almost perfect. Really. Nothing feels tacked on, it doesn't feel pushy, it doesn't hold your hand or guide you along. It's polished and wholesomely enjoyable. http://www.miraigamer.net/cavestory/ And YES it is for Mac as well, and YES it has been translated into English. So for all who enjoy good games, good design, and good inspiration-- download this sucker now.

All righty! Thanks for the blazing-fast responses. I'll get cracking on all that-- shift nose, bend knuckles, touch up skin folds, lower ears slightly, check out some necks and... yeah, thanks. 



Is this neck okay? Thanks again for the tips, I think it's improving.

Of all the pixel art I have ever done (which isn't much) the largest I've ever worked was maybe 64 x 64. I decided to be ambitious and kick it up a notch. I plan to draw three of these ancient, stoic-faced individuals (from different angles). Each head will be worked in a 200 x 200 pixel field. By the end I hope to have them all interacting with each other somehow. As far as a background goes, I have not yet decided.

Here's my main concern: Color choice. I think what I'm looking for is a selection of dull, earthy tones... but I don't want to just choose one color and ramp it from light to dark. All right, onto the pictures! 




EDIT: Just showin' my drawing process up above.



THANKS for the tips! A big help. I think I conjured up a pretty decent 12-color palette which I'll implement rather soon. I'll keep y'all posted.