you can, just look at my first submissions then until just a few months ago. Practice, get critique (take it with a measure of grace, biting back the "f**k you" initial response to the criticism [that is entirely normal to feel] XD),then practice more. if you get good critique on whats wrong with your pieces, you have something to work on for the next, and you build from it (as long as the critic doesn't just hose you cos they're a douche)