Ariel semi-realism

A little series of experiments I did, I may scrap it later.

First I started trying a different way to make the shape of the eyes. I have been doing them pretty much the same way for a very long time, even when the rest has changed, so I felt a change was overdue. I didn't intend them to be so "small" (relatively speaking) but that is how it came out. I'm not even sure it's anime any more
With that done, I was testing a different way of colouring. It's a method I see many people doing, working more on the volumes before adding colour. I don't like what I got and I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong, so I leave it in greyscale, except for the eyes and hair, because I feel we need a way to recognize it's the fair Ariel.
And then, that part being unsuccessful, I tried doing the skin in a different way. Normally I do something that looks more "painterly" but here it's much more smooth and "realistic". That I think was more successful and I believe that when I do it in full colour it will look much better.

Anyway, the lines and the hair are sloppy so as not too loose time on them, this being an experiment and all that.
Do let me know what you think