I prefer to make ugly or disfigured characters to write for, but I have a hell of a time art-ing them -- it's so much more challenging to make something look artistically good, but deeply flawed in appearance! If you've got any tips for an aspiring novice, please share!
Also, dem scars and that missing bit of ear - awesome. XD
@Dyna
Read books or listen to audio books!
If you try to figure out in your head how the characters look then you will have a hell of a lot easier time figuring out when you are actually working on a piece of art which aspects to add and which not. Also I keep a lot of references from both old and damaged people. If you want some reading tips I would recommend joe abercrombies books, 'the first law' trilogy and the standalones that comes thereafter.
Also remember a angry character usually looks more badass even if it's a bit uglier than if it has other expressions and in many cases can be because it is a battle-scared character or such, you feel more respect for that than a pushover.
But to get started with art I would say you should study proportions and then a little bit of anatomy, try to trace and practice working your skills up that way, expressions and more complicated things can come later. Foundation is king when it comes to art.
@Sacadon
If by hand includes digital then yes, thanks!
EDIT:
Since you asked about other things I've made I'll post two other models here where I use the same way of thinking when making them.