sometimes, if a design is quite 'far' from my own style (distinctly toony or proportionally exaggerated, for example), and the budget allows for taking my time and some back and forth, I might do a little style experiment like this.

The larger-headed one on the left is closer to the reference sheet I was given, while the right is modified more to my own art preferences (I am big fond of narrow wedge heads, heh). In the end, something like the head of the first + the body of the second was chosen! The hare didn't receive such a test treatment, as the design was quite compatible with my natural style!

I can draw a wild fox... or I can draw an eevee, you know? There is a difference between me aiming to draw a My Little Pony, and aiming to draw A Normal Pony. I like to draw so many different sorts of ferals, and I'm happy to lean towards whatever the expectation is for the design. No matter what, it will still be 'in my style', and be subjected to some manner of massaging towards my tastes x)