Very nice overall, but the shading could be improved. Each gradient maybe looks a bit "mono-colored", varying the hue can be striking. Maybe add some slightly more yellow highlights to the robe for instance.

Edit: and I think you don't have to go dithering with the bright red either, try to accentuate more parts of the robe with that color "pure". It comes across as too dark and muddy now. When I zoom in I can see that you spent effort on shading it, but when zoomed out it doesn't show. A waste! :)

Edit 2 (sorry): You also seem to mix the usage of black outlines and colored outlines.. it's a bit confusing.


Edited by cadahl - 17 April 2010 at 4:07am

Hair shine seems a bit too rounded, it should be a bit more zig zaggy, and following the shape and flow of his hair.  And going with what cadahl said, the black lines and colored lines need to be consistent.  Either one is fine, but pick one and stick with it, it looks better if it's the same throughout the entire piece.  That goes for the sword too.  And the metal seems a bit bright, try making it a bit darker so that the shines and edges can be more easily seen.  His left boot seems a bit big in comparison to his head.  Make it a bit smaller?
And dithering does not generally look to good on sprites, unless the contrast is low or it's a larger sprite.  Here's a great sprite that you should take a look at if you haven't already.  And it doesn't use dithering!  On top of that, it's one of the best sprites I've seen.