Avoid the “uncanny valley” by being consistent. If you simplify the nose to a triangle, you must simplify the ears to match. Mixing hyper-realistic eyes with a cartoon mouth is disastrous.
Stylized character art is not “easier” than realism—it is a different discipline requiring equal visual intelligence. The best stylized characters feel more real than real life because they strip away the noise of reality and amplify the signal of personality. fundamentals of stylized character art
Simplify the structure, exaggerate the essence, and clarify the silhouette. Avoid the “uncanny valley” by being consistent