Dude, I just started using the brushes you were using, and that alone has completely opened up a whole realm of possibilities. I can't wait to show you what I've made using what I've learned from studying your art!
Wow, this has the same thing I loved about Merchant of Venus! I really think that the soft and subtle way you depict distance and atmosphere using a soft glow is your edge on the market! I want to learn it myself, not so I can rip you off, but because you are just KILLING it with this method of doing the environment.
a little sparse, but I learned a lot!