Read my below comment to Jalonso, I've already said I will try things differently from now on. No point in arguing further.

Having a restricted palette in a pixel art piece does not exist simply because it "derived from the years where pixel art HAD to be restricted by color because of the small file types and compression". It exists because pixel art is about precision, focus and control.

When your piece has too many colors when it could be executed in the exact same way with much less colors, it shows that you lack control and care. What is the use for colors that look almost exactly the same? There is no use beyond telling us that you didn't care for control. Using a limited palette forces you to focus on pixel placement and learn how the color interacts with the others around it.

You mentioned that keeping track of a palette is a "hassle". Well, I find it much more troublesome to manage a 50-shades palette with almost same-colors than to use a simple 12-shades one. Keeps the whole thing concise and controlled, which is what pixel art is composed of.

It's not about keeping the color count low, it's about keeping it controlled.

And there is the "style" thing. You see, we can only identify "style" when such a thing is visible. 50 samer looking colors say nothing about style, because they don't even have an obvious distinction.

Well, when someone says "It has too many colors, when it could be achieved with much less" they're saying "You must improve your control. If you can't control your colors now, imagine when you have to deal with lots of then for something greater later?"

Well, you're free to dismiss what I said as an "attack".

Just making sure. It wouldn't be the first time the community had "attacked" me for this type of pixelart. 

Perhaps it is a lack of understanding. I haven't been pixeling for very long (in total hours of time spent), but I am always open to criticism, so I do appreciate your input. If it truly does improve the artwork, I will revise my style and work on the conservation of colors for other pieces, however I will let this one stand.

It is never a waste of time to strive for quality, I didn't say that. I merely stated that if it does not change the quality of the artwork, then and only then it is a waste of time.

To sum it up, I'll take your points into consideration and work on my artwork for the next challenge.

After all, practice makes perfect.

This is merely a discussion/debate. We are not coming down on you or attacking in any way whatsoever.

We did not ever say this is not pixelart. Had we thought that this pixelart would not have been added.

It does not seem the time is right for you to see the point being made but know that most pixelartists do understand that it does change the artwork. I don't think its a principle you are standing by but more a lack of understanding. I've never heard anyone say its a hassle or a waste of time to strive for quality as it relates to any artform :/

We are 'long past those times' but we are preserving an artform therefore those times apply and its not an obession as much as it is a definition.

@Friend/jalonso -  Fair enough. But even if this piece had been pixelled with just twelve colors and lost no detail, what then? Does it change the artwork? No. There was no loss of detail. So why the obsession with a restricted number of colors? Personally I think its just a hassle, and a waste of time. Sure, its more "impressive" when an artist uses a low number of colors to achieve a detailed look, but to what end? They may have wasted hours on end just to get the exact same result. 

I know color restriction is probably derived from the years where pixel art HAD to be restricted by color because of the small file types and compression, but we are long past those times. 

The definition of pixel art as provided by Google: "Pixel is a form of digital art, created through the use of raster graphics software, where images are edited on the pixel level."

Have I placed each pixel digitally by hand? Yes. Therefore it fits the definition of pixel art. I see no reason to deny a piece because of restriction of color.

I mean no offence to either of you of course, I just stand by my principles around pixel art.

This indeed looks very pillowshaded.  Notice everything looks flat as a pillow. 

About the 50 colors. A big point in pixel art is that every color in the palette matters. You WILL see pixels with 50+ colors (these palette sizes are generally reserved for master pixelers) but importantly, usually even pieces with that many colors makes great use of every single color. 

The problem with you having 50 colors is that you can literally create this pixel with ~12 colors and lose no details

There is no color restriction on this challenge but color management and control is important regardless, in every pixelart.

We never compare one pixel against another when adding. Every pixel, even by the same artist, all have to be viewed on its own. There are also many Top10 pixels that use 4 colors. Its apple and oranges.

I was clear to mention that 50 colors 'here', as in 'this pixelart' seems too many but using 'seems' was just my being polite. 50 colors IS too many. Moot point now as it has been added to the gallery.

http://www.pixeljoint.com/pixelart/29677.htm

I'd also like to refer you to this piece. Upon further inspection, the color count was over 80. Yet it recieved top pixel art of February 2008.

There is no restricted color palette.

I can understand wanting to AA to smooth but 50 colors here seems too much.
I can't even find 50 colors at all unless there are pixels using one shade only : /

http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/8540/molderingtutpillowshadigg8.gif

Pillow shading is the shading from light to dark that clearly invokes no light source. This image should clarify the basics to a certain degree.

If it's too "soft," its because I purposly put a lot of AA into it. I enjoy the "smooth" style much more than the "rough" style. Personal preference really. Thanks for the C&C anyhow.

- Well idk if it's pillow or if it's something else, but it feels too soft on the face. -

Uh, pillow shading? Where?

- It looks really pillow shaded in some areas, and the neck is a little off. The best part is imo is the city buildings. -