This is my newest sketch of my current avatar. I was going to try to color it in MS paint, but it was being uncooperative. I'm still a beginner, so comments are welcome and encouraged.

The body is out of proportion and the ears are too small. But I still like it and you for trying to do the avatar straight on rather then on an angle like in the avatar ^^ It's a great sketch for a beginner though, the arms are decently proportioned to the legs; the head is really the only thing out of proportion. Try making your sketches slightly taller, making the person taller can sometimes help with proportioning :) Sorry if I sounded rude, but you said speak your mind and I didn't want to make it sound like I was trying to critique your work and cover it up with niceness.

You're off to a good start I think.

I learned proper anatomy by doing what I like to call "people-watching."

A few helpful hints? Most people, when standing with their arms at their sides, their hands will stop at mid thigh level...so you'll want yours just a tad longer. You're nearly there.

His elbows are a little too high...going with the mid-thigh level hand rule...a person elbows should be at about waist level...

I wish I could explain how to do clothing folds sorry -emoface-

All in all, for a beginner, I think you did pretty good. I mean, I look back at my early work and shudder so...hey, we all gotta start somewhere huh?

This is a LOVELY site for learning how to draw figures:
http://www.posemaniacs.com/

I do recommend taking live figure drawing classes, but that site can help if you're in a pinch. :'D

Croon has a very good point too! And I may bookmark that site just because LOL.

Like I said, I learned proper anatomy by staring at people and studying the way they're put together, but even I feel like I still need to fine hone it. Particularly since I'm going to be going to college not too long from now for my art skills. And probably interior decorating.

So, yea. Thanks for the website Croon!!!

Better than I could do when I started out
I think you'll get better if you observe types of different art and just practice

I think you'll be just fine with some practice!