Yup. Keep trying! One hint I could give you that sort of allowed me to improve quite suddenly is: Don't spare your papers. Draw it even if you feel like it's going to look "unacceptable". Each line you draw is a step you take on to improve your skills, and even if it is slowly or quickly, you also gain courage and determination.

It may seem like it's just nonsense, but if you don't understand it now, you'll soon understand what I mean.

Also, for GIMP, I don't know much about using it for drawing, I use it to color my drawings, after inking and scanning them. I must say it's a lot easier for me to handle it than PS, so it's a good shot for a starter at digital art in my opinion...

Somethings just tick whilst others need a long time to develop, plus experimenting with different things and styles help build upon what you know, though i have in the past been able to make some quite good looking, lets just say "Saucier" pictures if you get what I mean :insertdeviousfacehere: as detail is usually more easier to do when i'm "that focused".