 |
| ||||||||||||
From an artistic standpoint, without outlines looks better.
From a 'this might end up turned into a game' standpoint, with outlines looks better.
They both look great, though. 
As stated, your issue I think is more about the colors needing to contrast so that the characters stand out. Consider making them relatively bright over a darker, less saturated background.
Or just look at this stage from Samurai Showdown 3:www.substance-tv.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Ss3genjuro3bg.gif
very cool! but i think that those white pixels in the trees doesn´t look so well.
Without looks better.
It may not be as readable, though, so make sure you keep high contrast values between the background and the sprites!
Thanks! I´ll post on the WIP forums for the Work in progress or character studies. And the even though I agree that the outlined ones will stand out much better in almost any background the more I look at it the more I like the Non-outlined version... I guess I might just use desaturated colors on the background to work around this issue. But so far 1 point in favor and 1 against, I´m still considering the outlines as well. Thanks again!
PS.: I´ll post an animated version of them as soon as I decide the whole outline thing! 
if these are for a game, I would advise to go with outlines. should make it more easy to read against any background.
be aware of the WIP forums; quite a busy place that is visited by some pretty good artists from this site. That's where you'll get the best & most consistent advice. the public queue is for finished stuff, typically.
I like the one with NO outlines better. Cute characters, would love to see them animated.
Thanks everyone! As recomended I´ll try to work on the desaturated BG to create separation and go with the one without outlines (that everyone seems to prefer) even though it will be for a game. Will post it later today or tomorrow!