awe no worries at all !! I'm more than happy to answer your questions
Regarding shading and color choice, yes, experimenting is a big part of my process! this is really trying out different techniques and work out which one feels right for you
For my cel-shaded style, I usually add the base shading in one layer, and then clip a layer above to add the inner highlights and dark shades (I do this with every shading style really lul)
for shading I often use blending modes like multiply/shade, overlay, and shine modes for pretty much everything (BG and characters)

In the speedpaint you listed, I used the Shade blending mode, and I'm not actually using other colors for the lighter blending if that's what you're referring to? it is basically the brush settings that has this kind of watercolor effect, and I paint with trasparent pixels on
then I use the magic wand to select the different color parts of the character, and change the hue of the shading with CTRL+U

As for Japanese song artists, it's hard to pick just one!! I have really been vibing to syudou, Kikuo and Fushi as of recently xD
I also really like MARETU and Kariki Bear when it falls under vocaloid artists
and TRI4TH, bohemianvoodoo, H ZETTRIO, for the Japanese Jazz fusion, which is my fav music genre !!

my art style has definitely evolved over time, some artists that inspired me to start digital drawing were Fierying, TheCynicalHound, LupisVulpes back in the old days :]
but overtime my style developed through a combination of practice and observation, with a notable influence from Japanese culture of course!

And I'm not a furry myself, I don't have as many anthropomorphic characters, mostly ferals, but I guess their stories tend to revolve around elements in the human world
does that technically places them on the furry side? idk xD
I don't think I'll ever own a fursuit, but I think they're cool uwu-b

I hope that answers all your questions aaa and thanks for the lil Avia doodle!