paperclip:
you got it 
1_as for your ‘have what it takes’ question, well there is one and only way to figure it out, and thats to post your work on forums, and learn from the feedbacks. If you are really passionate (and open minded) you will improve big time. I usually answer the one and only response i have from my own experience. Everything comes with a regular work ( doesnt need to be hardwork) .. practicing is really really what will move you fromwanna betobe`. We all come from this path you know, there is no other ways. The only ones who dont make it to a descent level are those who always have big excuses ;). Some people will start form a very very low level, and the path maybe be look a bit long… Just dont try to directly aim for the top in what you are doing, try to have fun!
2_I am in the next d’artiste book yes, with Steven Stahlberg and francisco Cortina. Those guys are super talented modellers, i cant adress the same level of expertise in character modelling, my ways in the field are more about getting to the point directly and make right choices about design and finalisation… added lots of tips too 
lukx:
Never take it personnal! Learn from it! (darn… starting to talk like this old green frog yoda im am) I know that it is hard and deceiving to get negative feedbacks, but try to adress that problems in your next work. Take it as an opportinity to move forward!
Of course i got negative feedbacks, and of course i am not always happy about it, but after a deep breath i am asking myself … ok what does he/she see that i am missing? and then i go: oh… ok… never saw it this way… damn he is right…
So basically, you are learning 