comments on work submitted so far

There are two objectives that you could aim for, actually three, but the third one won't count in either your assessments nor in your professional employment.

• work assessed by academic staff, whose interest is primarily in aesthetic and design qualities. Of course all assessing is subjective, and so a triangular method of subjectivity is often, fairly or not, adhered to. That is to say, three staff members either harmoniously agree on a mark, or haggle their viewpoints.
• you have your work commissioned. Clients pay for your work, and this may have less to do with aesthetic and design qualities, because believe me, I see some real crap published out there, and someone must have been paid for it! Having said that, getting external commissions is a sure way, of improving both the quality of your work, and your actual work flow, or understanding of professional practice.
• The third option, is you like your work, your best friends and family like your work, and even your pet dog approves, and that's what counts, because basically you are your target audience. Although liking what you do is immensely important, otherwise you'd end up depressed, it should not be the benchmark for your creative and critical drive.

So what's been posted so far, and more importantly how can these people continue to develop?

• beat the blind spot - by getting a trusted second opinion, nothing to do with BIAD, work, or friends, so that there won't be any pressure. They need to be honest, and interested in analyzing your image. They don't need to be artistically gifted themselves, and often it's better that way. They could make a simple observation, such as the sofa the girl is sitting on has mysterious cracks appearing just by her? Or there is a small tail popping out of under the carpet. But also remark, that the shadows are quite convincing.
• Bite your pride, and do as your tutor asks - some people need to do three, four, or a dozen pencil sketches to work out a strong and engaging composition. Both Guy, and Beckie, have not, and I'm guessing their excuse is that they are exploring their watercolour techniques - which is their first error. Both of you are presenting images which suggest that a strong sense of composition as well as a need for drawing skills is essential - which means that your watercolour will never shine without polishing the other two skills - which means practice and practice and practice, through trial and error, and drawing and composing on the side (sketchbook studies).
  you could argue that in christoper corr's case, he is less concerned with drawing skills, and more influenced by painting, colour and composition!
  
• Specific comparative studies, which I see no presentation of at the moment? Posting, side by side, two images - one yours, and one someone else's telling us what you have learnt from them!

Finally, well done to the three who have at least posted their work!!