How to tackle a more painterly style of coloring and shading?

[pearl wedge]

I usually only draw cel shading, but for this (WIP btw) I want to do a more rendering/painterly style of shading. I already started with base colors as seen with the guy on the right, but I don't want to make mistakes that would cause probelsm later on and I'm kinda getting lost. Any tips?

[lunar wharf]

Hii! Are you looking for a realism style of traditional painting or an impressionistic style with very noticeable paintbrushes or in between?