Just learn pixel art.
Do you have any particular links/tutorials/resources you personally found to be useful online? Might you share them?
I've actually been looking at pixel art... just haven't been able to find the right things to read.
Don't find tutorials. They'll ruin your potential style.
Create a 16x16 image in Paint.NET/GIMP/Whatever and make a person. If something seems off, fix it.
Do the same again, with a different style.
Repeat until you have something you are satisfied with.
Now try and make a few different characters with that style.
Later you can try animations.