🟦 Drawing Pixel Art

Draw the character with pen or Photoshop. Focus on shapes, you can even leave out the colors.

Overlay the image to a pixel paint program and color the areas using pixels.

Don't use different shades of a single color.

Add one shade of each color for deep shadows.

Add smaller details, especially those that might cast a shadow.

Add second shade of each color for shallow shadows.

Add third shade of each color for highlight.

Finalize. You can now use any shade in your chosen palette.