ok! but only cuz u said please

balrog: | (l )

i'd say: use various defined shapes for each part (at least for a base), simplify most features and exaggerate a few ones

for tips, idk depends on what you're going for! what style, what atmosphere… it's nice to have some kind of theme or logic in mind and try to follow it.
there's infinite ways to reinterpret a character. you can take certain aspects you like of their design or personality and lean more into those.

ok! but only cuz u said please