My first attempt at 1 bit textmode art zucks, how can I improve?

[Perpetuall]

So I've always really loved the aesthetic of textmode art, but every time I've tried to create something in it I've always failed. It's always so much harder than it looks.
I decided to try tackling the challenge one more time after I watched a tutorial on Youtube.



Obviously unfinished. I am trying to stick to one color per scene. You can also see the GUI in progress here.
I started off with a design for how I wanted the "warp worm" to look, with writhing tentacles and words scribbled across it for shading, but actually doing it in a way that makes everything fit together using only characters is another thing. I spent a long time constructing the lava, which is ok but the perspective looks a little wonky, and then I got burnt out by the time I finished the legs of the worm. It is so difficult shaping things using text. I spend a lot of time trying to get the details right but then I also think when it looks too polished it loses that text art feel. I'm not sure how to embrace this style. Running out of time for this project.
I'm using lvllvl.com for the art editor.
Anybody familiar with textmode art or have any tips?

[bicilotti]

I love the ZXspectrum-like art!

I cannot give tips, but for sure browse Megazeux for inspiration on ANSI-like art which is both lovely and usable in a game.

[Perpetuall]

Thank you, I will for sure do that!

[Perpetuall]

I've been slowly working on it in my spare time. Here is what I have done so far.

image file hosting

[bicilotti]

I am not a fan of clutter, but it works good enough in this image.

The beast (time beast?) is readable, the words not! I would pick another colour for those.