/ic/ - Artwork/Critique

Asking again since I'm completely lost when I thought I had the idea kinda locked down.
Having issues with painting/rendering. Feel like I'm just monkeying around and the end result, or at least where I'm trying to go with it, is muddy and messy.
Think at this point I'll just try to keep it simple since I feel like I'm overthinking things. Anyone have any good guides? I'm looking at other artists as well as I try to get a better understanding of this.

Maybe this is the better thread to ask, but does anyone have good guides on painting/rendering?
I'm just not happy with how this is going. I e revised it like three different times but can't get a feel for anything too well.
Everything just turns out a bit unrefined and I don't know if I should just take a step back or keep trying to work at having a smoother finish.

>>6584340
I like the shading on the skin you did.
I'm super bad at rendering and just can't really understand it too well. I'm using a low opacity brush too, but I feel like I'm just monkeying around rather than being able to properly do it.
Any good guides?