Hullo and welcome to Planet Minecraft. I hope you enjoy your stay! If you have questions, or want to talk or the like, feel free to message me and I'll be happy to reply.
Thanks! I find this skin is very well shaded but I would use colors that aren't as close in appearance - if that makes much sense... My style is more bolder colors rather then blended. It all depends on what you like but I would possibly shade it more. It's a good skin and I can tell you prefer more realistic shading and colors, whilst I tend to use more cartoony kinds.
These are all great ideas and I'll be sure to use them in my newer skins! And yes I tend to use the same hair shading because I find it more easy but I agree that I should branch out a bit!