I like em.
I got a tad more time to comment on your work, now, Michael.
Like I said with the first post, I like em. I think if anyone could give advice and criticism it'd be Thomas, though.
I kind of like that the Ben has an almost incomplete look to it, that or the scanner didn't pick up your lighter lines - :-p - which brings me to the kitty. I think the cat is sweet, but you should find more shades of lightness and darnkess. IE the shadow under the cat should be black, not the same shade as the shadow under the wrinkles of the blanket.
Again, I'm nobody to give advice. Great stuff though.