Hi all, I'm new here so please correct me if I'm doing anything out of protocol. I'm currently developing an RTS sidescroller with a friend of mine, but neither of us are artists. Until we commission one, it's just us. Anyway, here's a medic I'm working on -- as I mentioned he's supposed to fit in an Ancient Rome setting. It's an RTS so he's meant to just loop this walk cycle as he goes from point A to point B.

I'm looking for feedback on two things:
Palette: I'm trying not to give him a black outline as it seems kind of passe, but now I think he looks a little flat. Perhaps my contrast is off, or there's not enough unique hues?
Animation: For the animation, I think he looks a bit stiff, so I tried to make some more moving parts on him (the pony tail, the shoulder), and now he
still looks stiff, but also spasming kind of. Hopefully that makes sense.
He's inspired by this fellow btw:
Appreciate your help, all. Thanks.