You cannot effectively simplify what you do not understand. In stylized painting, anatomy acts as the "anchor" that keeps your character looking human, even if they have giant eyes or neon blue skin.

Convey danger, speed, or high intelligence.

Focus your class work on the underlying structure. Understand how the jaw hinges and where the cheekbones sit.

Even in stylized work, adding a bit of saturated red/orange where light passes through thin skin (like ears or nostrils) adds a "fleshy" life to the painting.