I think that your first manipulation with the cheeks was really spot on capn. If the cheeks were fuller and the hair covered the ears more, I think that would go a long way to helping people see the likeness.
Rocco believes that everyone's concerns with the sculpt will work themselves out when the sculpt is painted. That might be so, but then again it might not be.
Rocco decided to do a quick paint render to show people how the sculpt may look sculpt painted up. After seeing it I agree with thecapn the cheeks are very much sunken in:
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