Interesting spin Author. You might want to consider using less of a smooth blend for the transition between skin and sand since sand is rougher. The yellow glare above and next to the nose is distracting as well. Would be cool to see human hands sticking out of the sand or perhaps real hair and beard partly transitioned.

Thanks rturnbow, I agree on the smoothness and the yellow glare and I aim to fix this and love the idea of adding more realistic elements. Will get to work and hopefully have time to resubmit.

I like your concept. Not a bad job at all, keep it up.

Please post source links.