Carmine, I like the sculpt a lot and would recommend not to paint it but to keep it as it is. In this way everyone can enjoy your sculpt and the materials used. The only comment I could give is that I would alter that strange looking piece of hair.
I thank you so much for your suggestions and your compliments. I understand, I have to change the "tail".
I have tried to "understand" the reference artwork:
Carmine, seeing the original scetch I do understand your trouble in creating something similar on your bust. Could you try and give them some texture, like dreads ?