Very true. Reference now in.

 As Damian found out, this work used some picture as a reference. It's always good for you to post that reference, principally if you don't change that much about it, for two reasons: first, you show you aren't trying to fool anyone (not saying you did); second, you give a chance for other to see how well you worked around it (in this last case, I would say you did it pretty well ).
 

I'm not sure I see any stripe on the image at all...

If you were referring to the halo above his head, he's supposed to be dressed as an angel.

Its nice, but what is this for a white stripe on the head?

Yea I learned quite a few good techniques from this; such as cheekbone structure, general chin structure, how to shade the ear parts, learning that the adams apple doesn't always need to be darkly shaded, and how to look at a face from a different perspective. I have trouble with anatomy and whenever I try to make my own designs they look so flawed I get frustrated and wanted a good model to use to build some foundation.

 Was probably my reference. I guess sorry for being a beginner?

Not really an improvement. Pretty much a reduction of this. 
http://images.fineartamerica.com/images-medium-large-5/frankenstein-tom-carlton.jpg
 

 I really loved the top of his head.

 Nice conposition! This is perhaps one of your best results in pixelling, good!