Beginner at custom spriting.

[Mashuga]

I beg to differ. Re-colors helped me a lot when learning how to sprite, though I admit I never simply changed the color of a sprite.

I would re-create next to the original, using different colors. And not always pixel for pixel.

Like you, I started with sonic. But theres a lot more to screwing with the original sprite than changing the color.
Re-fashion the spines altogether, and use your own proportions for facial features and such. Like these:


If you're trying to mimic the style, this is a great way to do it.
Especially if style is important to the type of sprite you are trying to make.
As in, adding characters from different universes into another, such as these:


or even the same character as in this example from GBA scale to DS scale:


When it comes to spriting, theres absolutely no need to re-invent the wheel, especially if you're just starting out.
Study the way sprites come together, and eventually you'll be able to make your first 100% custom sprite.
(And I just mean creating one from scratch without a reference, not originality.)



Those of course were all years ago.This method becomes essentially useless once youre better. So just think of it as training wheels. And once youre able to take them off (I.e. stop using other sprites as a reference) you'll be golden.