Too lazy? If you're too
lazy to fix something, will you be able to continue graphics? I don't see a potential if you're
lazy.
Allow me to give you a helping hand.
Right off the bat, there is
no shading nor lighting.
In order to make a perfect piece, listen up Trav, you have to outline your graphic(s).
Your mask isn't symmetrical at all. Depending on the piece, some will consist with/without any sort of symmetry.
Let's fix your mistake.
So it was made, but something seems off.. the width of your headband seems a
bit too small.
Let's enlarge it by two pixels and have some curves to fix the simplicity.
Also, masks cover the whole mouth and appear to be wrapped around the head.
Great! Now we have the outline. Let's choose its colors.
Here read this (yes, read):
http://pixeljoint.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=10695
After you choose your colors, put the primary color within the outline with your bucket tool. Now, recall that the lighting is on the top, so the light will always hit the top and the bottom will be a bit darker.
Sides are usually darker because it's curving and light is being lost with curves. (Depending on the material, it differs. Metal usually have light reflecting on the edge.)
I'm no expert but it should look something like this.
Always have an outline unless you're making something minuscule.
That's all I will teach you.
What to do next time: add more curves, have a shading, use color, and don't be lazy or else you'll go nowhere.