I'm having a major crisis at the moment, because... I can't find ANY style. I am just copying other pieces. I need to figure out how to do a 2D platformer tile. Without copying anyone.
So yeah, I'm pretty much trying to find my own style too. Nothing I try works.

I would personally think if you're going to make a 2d platformer tile, for example a grass tile, you're going to probably follow one of a few main 'style' choices first. Realism, abstract, cartoony, hybrid... etc. Finding your own style through tile creation is going to be tough - if you're looking to find your own style i'd suggest going for something more showing, such as character design or landscapes.

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Back to the point, I think style is just the flairs that make your art and creations noticeably yours. These things can be broad - such as always outlining in black, or they can be more subtle such as the way you AA. I feel that personal style is always in flow and it will always be ready to change, you're not really ever stuck with one style. Style comes through in the pieces of work you make - so it's only challenging to create in the same way that it's challenging to create artworks and to practice in the field. Creating a really original style is more difficult, and it could come from actual distinct aim but will require lots of hard work.

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xhunterko, I think the point is not that you can't find your own style yet, but more that you're not currently creating things that are styled in a way you like or can appreciate. In my opinion you definitely have a way of pixelling that is noticeably yours - your own personal style. However this style is not confined to the way it is now, and will quite considerably change as you grow as an artist. Don't worry, you just have to work at it and you'll get to a point where you're happy.

Just quickly: You've got some folds showing the dress falling inwards (on her legs) but it ends very flatly - doesn't look right.

I dunno about you, but if I was holding a sword that large, I wouldn't be dragging it back and forth. I would definitely have its tip resting on the ground, and perhaps rock it back and forth from there. If he's on any floor that isn't smooth it would be quite difficult to push the sword tip backwards after dragging it forwards.

I find his legs are pulsing far too much to be believable, almost looks like he has some kind of creature under his skin.

I really like the green guy with the firehands. His upper legs look a bit long in comparison to his lower legs though.

I've printed out my work before, and I think it looks really nice, as long as you have a good quality print (and therefore can see the pixels). I don't have it to hand though but if no one else can get some printed pixel art i'll try sometime.

It seems to me to be less an issue of who owns what, and more an issue of honesty. By not even acknowledging that you used someone elses palette you make people assume you created it yourself, which is downright decieving - to yourself as an artist and to others as your critics. There must have been a reason you used that specific palette, rather than to create your own. If you create your own, and it seems to others very similar to something someone else also created, you can honestly state that you didn't know, and no harm is done. You could talk to the person who created the similar palette on their own, and discuss which is better or how either could be improved.

The idea that you should be able to use other people's palettes is held by all here as acceptable, but the fact is you should be aware to yourself and make it aware to others that you didn't put the effort into creating it.