you have tremendous potential. make sure to experiment as possible and follow some tutorials. also, make sure when you resize your images (a shortcut is to click on the layer with the picture and hit CTRL+T) to hold the shift key to keep the image proportional. atleast that's what it looks like in the middle picture.
Also, when smudging, adding c4ds, and other effects, try to follow the "flow" of your stock or render. if you look at your halo tag in your signature, his left arm is out and to the right, so you would want to smudge or blur in that angle. it will give a great effect to your sig and make your focal really pop out.
You're on the right path, make the best of it.
-Snugiez.