That looks like a huge improvement to me! Much clearer definition of shapes and values. With shading I’ve been practicing circles along with the Mario mushrooms and trying to get a smooth shading gradation across the circle. Maybe try to get some small circles 1 solid value all the way across? I used the side of my pencil shading my pear but been practicing shading with the tip. I find if I slow down and move slowly across the circle halfway overlapping each line keeping even pressure I don’t get many lines or gaps. Hope that helps!

Well depends and what your goals are! If you are an Absolute Beginner than I recommend taking the beginning drawing course by Stanley Prokopenko.