monsters/creatures are the other thing. You can do it from sphere or zsphere without basemesh and they are easier to sculpt and paint in comparison to realistic humans (at least to me).
You've gone from a Strogg balance between monster and machine, to a (almost) full-on machine. Not that it's bad, just saying you're moving away from a mech-mutant.
Great paintover, I really enjoy the design! And that campfire scene indeed is freaking sweet. Some monster like a wolf or bear would fit there very well :)