Thanks for your entry! I think you got the dark mood right here, athough Einstein's likeness is not quite coming through and the hair is a bit too tame. Would love to see some more from you. Don't be afraid to use color! thanks!!
Try more than the head. Top of body and hand. have some action with the hand. Facial expression including eyes and beard seem too sinister.
This type of mentor figure, their primary trait is brilliance and understaning the mysteries of the universe. Merlin is a mentor. We want a dark edgy side, but we don't want it to take over the character. It needs to be more balanced.
See if you can add some more color. no white or black backgrounds.
We are imagining this as more like an avatar for a web site. The avatar is like an x man that is part gandolf, part merlin, part einstein in feel.
Also, can you put your merlin in "action"? Ie can you have him moving his body with the wand as if he is zapping or defending someone? Your merlin is a bit too up and down or symmetrical now.
I think this could be a great logo, but it needs some improvements to fit with the image we are looking for.