Well one thing I like you're doing now I focusing more and more on one focal point. With a lot of beginners(myself included), first mistakes I made was using too many different focals.

The Balthier one is definitely your best so far, really clear picture and a good base background. Which is what a beginner should learn. As long as you continue to enhance background features and focal points, you'll branch in effects like C4Ds, distorting, pen tooling, etc.

I think what you should practice more is on your focal points, what's the main picture of your signature. Whatever it may be you want that to be the eye catching part. Around that you want to add stunning effects and what not to bring attention to it. Your coloring is vastly improving as well, just try not to rush too many techniques at once, you want these techniques to sink into your brain.

Once you get a good amount of quality C4Ds(If you need some I'll see if I can't upload mine so you can use them), tell me and I'll jump on making a good tutorial on how to use them. I think I might make you a smudge or pen tool tutorial before that though, we'll see what your strong points are weak ones are.

Really cool sigs though Suki , I sucked on ice when I was a beginner.