Texture painting

So after seeing the short MEET BUCK I've been trying to improve my digital painting skills so I could be able to obtain the same texture effect.
I've been looking at lots and lots of tutorials and guides, but the thing I understood is that there's no trick, just PRACTICE a lot.
This is my first try, not to satisfied with it but I'm getting there.
I also have to try this effect on the penguin model I'm working on.