the dithering on the background is great, how did you have the patience to do all that on something that isn't even the main focus of the image?! Your work ethic is much better than mine :P

 Perfect effect

*bzzt* Read the description D:

Am I misstaken or were the colors tinted more towards blue before?

 Abstract + Depresion :D

I like the moody ambianceness, but also the more rottingish colours of the second version. I know you <3 the cluster the big eye is made of, but it could probably use some aa to help glowyness. Happy compromise?

heart-shaped dithers ^.^

This is the best version to stick with.

I'm having a lot of trouble finding colours that look good, as things seem to vary wildly depending on programs/monitors.

I've tried to make the background transitions more visible while still keeping things fairly dark and gloomy. I might have another go later at finding a happy medium between the two versions. Perhaps you could do an edit to indicate what looks alright on your monitor.

edit: reverted to the original version, at least for the time being.

Much prefer the previous version,

Nice. I like the minor contrasting in the background.

Hm, well I tried lighting up the bg a little bit anyway. I keep getting mixed messages from Photoshop, Irfanview and Firefox :( Sigh.

It might actually just be my screen. (My laptop isn't known for it's brightness)

@Stickman - It was intended to be quite dark, but I definitely struggled with finding the right colours/contrast/brightness etc. If I post a wip you can see how often I redid the colours D:

Wouldn't mind if it were a tad lighter, but nevertheless this is wonderful work.

SLIME! 

Cool

Lovely!