AJL - Well those are (cough) pretty saucy there!  They look like they have all the right parts in all the right places! :)

Chris - I think your efforts were/are going fine.  Your illustration is NOT trash!!!  You are learning, just as many here are.  Vlad's been doing art for at least 100 or more years(hehe), so yeah, his stuff comes off as a little more polished than yours and mine.

I suggest that you finish the piece.  The biggest reason is that looking at other's work helps us to mimic at first, then grow into our own style.  Practice is essential.  My attitude lately is to work on things and finish them whether I like it or not.  My problem is that I've gotten myself into a very bad habit of when I don't like it, or it's too much work, that I just don't finish it.  Not saying that that's what you're doing, but I’d hate for you to fall into that work ethic.

Go ahead and finish it.  Do it for the JBF.  Do if for Queen and country!!  Do it for me!!!!!!  :)

And most importantly, do it for yourself.