Self Improvement Contest Improved Version

This is for ‘s
Spirit of Community: Self Improvement Contest . In this contest you had to redraw an old piece of your art. This was the piece I redrew:
fav.me/d6df9bd
I drew that piece July 24 2011, so it was exactly 2 years ago. This piece was one of the first times I ever tried Manga style, and it has a special place in my heart. I know you’re thinking “Ugh!”, but I drew it when I was 12, right when I started to draw regularly. Ever since, I have never went a week without drawing and have been loving every second of it!

I decided to redraw this piece digitally this time for a more professional look.

As the contest requires, here is how I improved on this picture:
Skill development:
-Perspective: As you can see from the way I drew the window the first time, I did not have a very good sense of perspective, therefore effecting the technical aspect of this piece. Making it unpleasing and distracting to the eye. Now I understand the concept and follow the rules of perspective.
-Flow of lines: I am pleased with how I have improved with the flow of my lines, making them smoother and less choppy. I think I’ve improved considerably in this subject: I’ve learned how to use the natural flow of my wrist to draw straight and curved lines.
-Composition: I decided to change the angle of the view, making her pose look more open, and the beach more visible. I also drew her with her eyes open this time, because I thought it would have a greater sense of connection.
-Proportion: Aye! Looking back, the size of her hand compared to her head, it just killed me! Hopefully you will agree that my sense of proportion has gotten better.
-Colouring: This is by far one of my greatest improvements, my colouring technique has evolved from a flat, scribble and inconsistent look, to a shaded, smooth, and polished look. I have learned that there is a light source that effects the placement of shadows, highlights, and mid tones. I think this is most evident when you compare her hair. Also, I am pleased with how I rendered the sea, making the lapping water more visible and transparent like it should be.

Added details:
-I added a curtain on the window because I just thought it was odd that there wasn‘t one…because most windows have curtains or blinds or something. I made this semi-transparent for an elegant, light and “floaty” look. I also coloured the walls a light shade of pink to give it more of an at-home feeling.
- I decided to colour gradient her shirt because it looked much too plain to me.
- I changed the sun umbrellas and towels and added swimmers playing volleyball in the water (Even though they’re very small!)
-I added jewellery (A shell necklace and a bracelet to match!) I thought this was a sweet touch.
-The mini sand castle was re-vamped with a tiny red flag, a shadow, and a pail and shovel) and the sand itself was decorated with tiny pink shells and footprints of the swimmers entering the water.

I hope you like it! Regardless of if I win or not, this contest has been so much fun and a great learning experience. I might redraw some more old pieces because I enjoyed this so much.