I'd say since it has the characteristic 'loose' pixels of a color reduction, and has many of the same shaped clusters as my own color reduction, then (even if it isn't a color reduction), it's a bit too close to a resized and color reduced version of the original for me to feel safe approving it.
Here are some WIPs. I did resize the original and check lines along the way. How much reliance on resize is acceptable? If you think I went beyond the rules of the site, I don't mind taking this piece down.
still looks quite similar to a color reduction
WIP may be required
http://i53.tinypic.com/2luw7so.png
Here are the reference images.
well providing the reference used would certainly help in proving that. they certainly have the same 'look' as a color reduction.
They are referenced from photos but the pixelwork is by hand.
Fair. I'll come up with something else.