Also, I found new layer blend modes that get me way closer to the shading I want. Most people tell you to use Multiply, but Multiply isn't uniform: the shadow won't be nearly as strong with a dark background as with a light one. So sometimes I changed the opacity around to make it work, but now I can save myself all of that hassle by using Subtract.
The recent test drawing was a big help because it made me realize that plopping a canine head onto the wyvern didn't work. So now the head is this. More stylized and a trickier angle
Adapting my shading actually isn't nearly as difficult as I thought. On the contrary, I can ease up on its complexity because the fur patterns contribute to the depth, too
Volpeon 