blaze

[YinYin]

Better, but now you've also made his face thinner which kind of almost negates the effect making it still look so not up to the sketch and sprite.

You should really try pulling down nose/eyes and where his hair starts a notch, keep the mouth were it is (the way it happens when you overlay the sketch on the face as I did).
I think that really makes the most difference.

And try using thicker outlines and compare them to the original faces.

Also the shading of his neck below the chin could use a little more work. Dent below the adams apple and a hint at the second sternocleidomastoid muscle.