Promise Me: Cross Country

First of all, may I say that you're REALLY improving fast! I really like that you're experimenting with new techniques and practicing everything.

Your layout here is a nice change of pace, and I really enjoy the different type of view rather than the usual "close-crop" view of a show entry. I also really like your mane and tail, your technique on them is really improving. Your shading is coming along nicely, and I think you do have the concept of what colors to use, etc. However, your lighting is a bit too vague and I feel like there's not enough definition to the muscles, so look really close at a similar picture, or your reference picture, and try to figure out what highlights and shadows go well where. The smaller your brush is, the more detailed you can get. Also, zooming in really far gives you more quality, because you can get more precise.

I do feel like your markings and some other parts of the image are painted on there a bit too sloppily, such as the horse's blaze. Try not to use the fill bucket at all, unless it's for a whole layer or something, because you get that pixelated line around whatever you're filling. I find that a 5 or 7 px brush on GIMP works well for markings because you can get them detailed, but not messy-looking.

Just a suggestion, but I feel like a thicker line would work better with your style. I personally use a 4 px brush on a 2400 by 2000 pixel canvas, but that's up to you. However, in GIMP, a super small brush usually isn't the way to go for really accurate, straight lines.

Also, I really would recommend looking into FAQ pages about getting your tablet's pressure sensitivity fixed. I feel like if you had that your quality would improve, and just doing art in general would be much easier.

All in all, a VERY well done piece! You're improving vastly and if you keep it up, you'll be even better in no time! You have so much potential, and I can't wait to see where you go with it. Best wishes!