You really made some progress here.
How much time has passed since the original and the "redraw"?

about 13 years;;;
My improvement has been pretty slow

At least it shows that there may be hope for me as I have been practising on and off and my art is way worse.

What helped me the most was when I realized that I couldn't just wait for it to happen. I had to actually work on improving. I had to try things and study other artists and see how things work. I used to believe "I have to do everything on my own or my art will never be unique!"
but in the end I believe striving for uniqueness isn't worth it. It'll just happen on its own.
Working hard and not hoping for it to "just happen" is the best advice I can give xD