Paid work is a lovely thing, I'm glad you could find some! The piece is very warm and nice, but I really enjoy those subtle greens, it helps with that warm feel while making sure it doesn't get out of hand.
Your own critique of the picture aside, it looks very nice. Love the color choices. The greens worked into the shadows really make this pop. Glad you're starting to get paid for some of your work!
I very seldom sell artwork online. Most of it is to friends, family, coworkers, etc. As people in my "circle" get stuff, people in their circles see it and then ask about getting stuff... Works out good that way, and puts me at a little less risk of getting scammed than with strangers on the internet.
Well... I haven't sold to any COMPLETE strangers yet, but I have included online acquaintances I haven't met yet among the friends I've sold to. One of whom had a meatspace friend vouching for him, and one of whom I'd been talking to for a long time before things got to the "can I pay you for art" stage.
Your submission is posted to our site but it hasn't yet been added to an Art RPG queue for point counting, approval, and/or reward redemption. Submit it to the queue to get your rewards.
And fingers crossed for more of that money-for-art sort of thing in the future!
...And yes, getting paid is very nice. Not my first time but it doesn't happen frequently, although I hope to improve on that. :p