CHALLENGE: Zarblay Xemplok

Create an image of a character called "Zarblay Xemplok", a native of the planet Spectrus. You must pixel this character using only the ZX spectrum palette. Here is all the known information about your character - Zarblay has:

• A large nose.
• Two tentacles.
• Three eyes.

You may present the character in any way you want, from a facial portrait to a full body image. But whatever you choose, Zarblay must be the main focus of the piece. Your piece must also show all three physical characteristics listed above.

Optional Bonus Challenge: Use real ZX spectrum restrictions. Have a look at http://i.imgur.com/RxosQ.png - this guide , created by http://www.pixeljoint.com/p/2191.htm - Ptoing .

Canvas Size - Max 256 (width) x 192 (height).
Colours - Max 15; Use only colours from the ZX spectrum palette:

Transparency - No.
Animation - No.

CHALLENGE RULES

• Participants have until this upcoming Sunday at midnight (12AM Pacific) to /pixels/submit_icons.asp'>submit their entry (strict). Don't forget to check the 'Submit to weekly challenge' checkbox.
• Only new pixels allowed.
• Open to all members.
• Posting WIPs in this thread or in new threads in the /forum/forum_topics.asp?FID=8'>WIP section is highly encouraged, but ONLY SUBMIT YOUR FINAL ART.

CHALLENGE JUDGING

• Every Sunday at midnight (12AM Pacific) the previous week's entries are judged.
• Every week a new voting poll will be posted for previous week's entries.
• Winner announced the following week.

CHALLENGE PRIZES/GOODIES

• Top three finishers will receive an award displayed in your PJ gallery profile for all to see and envy.
• Top finisher gets to call the following week's challenge...sweet.
• 'Participation' ribbons will be given for all who enter.
• No matter what happens you get challenged :)

1. I notice that Mrmo Tarius is playing around with tiles.  The result is amazing and this is something I would love to experiment with, but is there some kind of software that makes this kind of stuff easier? I tried searching around for advice, but all I really got out of it is the possibility of using RPG Maker for something like this.  However, it feels bulky/unnecessary to download something like that for something so simple.
2. I did my best to stick to the bonus challenge rules, but I was pretty much checking this manually (I had an 8x8 grid displayed over my piece.)  I imagine this, too, can be automated in some manner?
3. Lastly, I imagine there might be some way to make dithering easier than doing it by hand and copy/pasting, although I'm guessing tiles might be involved with this, so this probably isn't a separate issue.  Not that copy/pasting things is that hard anyway.  : P