Avatar help

[Exeson]

So, I decided to make an avvie for a friend of mine. It is supposed to be of Stalin, the thing is, it is very bland at the moment, How can i make it more interesting?

Please note, I am very new to making avatars (This is only my first one), so be gentle. :)

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff29/exeson/Stalin.png

I was thinking maybe putting the Hammer and Sickle in the background, as a sort of backdrop.

EDIT: I just noticed the pocket problem, I shall sort that in the morning.

[Dallas-Dakota]

Give it hair?
Any background?

I personally think some background can add just that little bit you need.

[Castaras]

The body looks too long for the size of the head. The legs also look slightly off, try making them more perpendicular? *shrugs*

Yeah, either the head needs to be bigger, or the rest of the body needs to be smaller.

Also - Work at 117x117 if you're creating an avvie. It makes it so much easier when you finish resizing.

[Exeson]

Ok, I have fixed the pockets, the body and put a background to it, I now realize that I should have done it in 117, I shall resize later.

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff29/exeson/Stalin-1.png

[Exeson]

Right, my first attempt at resizing it.

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff29/exeson/Stalin2-1.png

[Ego Slayer]

Okay...
1). You need to shorten the body.
2). The head should be wider than the body.
3). Thicker lines; 2pt is standard for the main parts.
4). Starting with a 177x117 square is a good idea. Resizing something so big starts to get messy.

[Exeson]

Ok. I think I am just going to start again from scratch, using you guys+gals advice. It will be easier than fiddling with this one.