TO start with, this is very good. Though admittedly it does look like one of those 'Do this in 30 minute' exercises to test how you do: Nothing wrong with this, mind you. It's a great technique to help you focus on the bigger picture.

Anyways, to the critique.

The rock and stones really draw the focal point of the image. This is good, but the lack of detail for the vines(?) there really makes me tilt my head. The color of the water is great, but it looks very still. In comparison to the sky, it gives off a foggy feel, which is not too bad, but there would be variations in the water colors. The 'less' water, in this case in some of the areas near the rock (particularly the big one) would be a bit lighter where the light source would be, opposing the shadows you have already to show the deepness (good job, y the way!)

:devle-mac: was correct in the mentioning of the stepping stones. Though you did a great deal to curve them out and causing them to become smaller in the horizon, the horizon has a point - and beyond that thing would begin to disappear because the earth is round, as Columbus once said.

Some other ideas would be to detail it up a bit more - if the water is always moving, then you may want to set small bubbles around the rocks - maybe items in the water like leaves, if there are any nearby trees - to which the vines may suggest - or because it is a lake as you mentioned in the chatroom, moss would cover a good deal of the smaller rocks, s well as some of the large rock.

I would offer you tutorials, however I do not know of any specifically that can help with a 'ainting' effect, as illustration is not my bag. However, the DACAD forums, located in *Arteche 's journal has a tutorial section if you go into the illustration, or just look around for various areas - or heck, even here on DA, which has it's own search bar. Always be sure to read everything and to experiment with other styles as well to find techniques you like. Never know, maybe combining the way tow artists work is what would be best for you.

Keep up the good work.

--
"I would love to become a brain surgeon so I could crack open your skull and see what got jammed in there to make you think like you do." ~Qyyn

Thanks a bunch for taking the time! I really appreciate this, and it's of great help. ^^
What you say really makes sense, and I'll take more time to consider cause and effect in my next drawings/paintings.

Wow! I'm impressed!
Though this is a little rough, the atmosphere is really thick! Mmmm
It reminds me of playing the fantasy rpg Morrowind... not because of the style or anything, but because all the world was interesting. Sure, the cities were exciting, but my very favorite thing to do was explore the little nooks and crannies of the world.
There were always magical little places like this.
Like your own secret spot?