Good progress! Nice to see you applying the critique :] I think you can push a bit more, especially in terms of contrast and lighting. For example, making the underside of the blade darker will help with dimension. Think warm vs. cool. So if your lighting is a nice blue, then you can make your shadows a warmer…
Very nice start :) The shapes are very elegant and the lighting on the blade is pretty accurate and readable as well. Don't be afraid to be more bold though! It's okay for your strokes to be showing when you are handpainting, and oftentimes I think that's what defines the style anyway, a sort of looseness. The way you…