errmm... i read a tutorial on anatomy somewhere i think you should take a look at... other then that... if your trying to draw anime, dont use one of those n00b "how to draw" books... get some comics and try to draw stuff outte em... thats how i got good...
actually rik, id have to dissagree... i dont like the sword to much because the grays contrast with the image to much... try making the light behind it copper, red, or gold...
=; the spam. i like the first one... the second one looks like crap. on the first one, i like the first version... that sunlight effect really only wroks for me when the light is coming through a tree or somethign of the sort.
Seeing as virtually every other condition has been used, (fire, water, grass, earth) how about an icy mountain? Perhaps with some kind of creature at the top... Just a suggestion Black flat ill try it. if im any good at all, ill keep both squares... (sory lovelydude)