Thanks so much!  Am REALLY seriously new to this - am used to using pencil, airbrush and paint brushes ( real ones with wet aint on real canvass etc) so I guess I have to re-look the way I approach these pics.  I have submitted a new pic - a little bug called Bugsy - usd only one tool - the little pen thingy - please have a look and comment - I really appreciate input as I want to get better at this  

   One of the main problems I'm seeing is the use of the spray paint tool, which is a bit of a no-no, in the pixel purist's world. Any tool of automation, in which the user/artist loses control, kinda' takes away from it being pixel art, which is why tools such as that are frowned upon. Not to mention, alot of the piece seems to be a bit scratchy, sketchy, or wip-ish. I guess unrefined is the best word, but that might be the reason why people didn't vote it into the gallery.

I liked the left eye better too!  I just can't get the thing to get enough points to be accepted...still don't know what Im doing wrong.  I still want to add details to the leafy bits in his beard - dew drops and a few more glow worms in his hair...but for now he'll have to take a rest.  I'll work on something a little simpler and see if i can't get it submitted and accepted this time!  Thanks for the input :)  Hope you do well in the sideways challenge!!!!!

I love the way you have faded th colours in especially at the top - and the eyes reaaly draw the attention. I prefer the structure of the left eyebrow since it's more leafy.