My angels and my fantasy story...

So this first image is of my angels, I did these as well in highschool and the other girsl as well. I have always been into fantasy and I wrote a short story for a english class project. My teacher told me a had a talent to paint stories and that I shouldn't waste it, so I went into great detail and for a while I ran with this story for up to 7 chapters, ( about 40 lined papers long >.<) But I also decided to draw my characters so I could have a better feel for them. ( the whiteout on this is to "hide" info about the chars and their weapons and stuff, incase I ever decide to host it here it will be a surprise :D)

I'm looking for info and help on how to get started with these images as to get going with painting, anyone know any tuts, can give me some good advice to turn this ino real "master pieces" they are very off in a lot of ways and I was never one for drawing faces and hands an stuff, but I wanna learn now and get something out of my work I can be proud of :)

Angels:
http://img814.imageshack.us/img814/912/scanimage01.jpg

Story Chars:
http://img807.imageshack.us/img807/3565/lightside.png
Her wings later got a new opinion from me and went swan instead of "fly" xD she is the light side of my story.

This one is the dark side
http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/5231/evilpriestess.png

Lol recently since i have good enough grades to not pay attention i have been drawing in my classes. I SUCK at hands and faces, but my faces are slowly improving. Either way, i would never be able to write 40 pages, on the first page i would be like "hmm. . .i dont care". You should let us read the story if you still have it :D