Stylization vs. Realism

In between realism and stylization:  Welcome to some grey area - where sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't

http://www.animatorisland.com/the-uncanny-valley/

depending on where you find your work falling within this area, you may find that some things can be pushed and some things just don't work when you do.

refer to the post on Anthromorphism - remember how a realistic robin hood looked silly drawing a bow? and a stylized robin hood looked out of place on all four paws

What level of detail looks right on a stylized character? how far can you push it before it starts strangely straddling two realities w/out fitting in either?

 "characters that are almost lifelike but are just off enough to be creepy, 
and stylized/cartoon characters who have an off-putting amount of realistic detail."
See Sam Nielsen's notes on "The Uncanny Valley"

So how do you know what way to go? Stylized or Real and how far?
Some interesting thoughts and notes by Mark Kennedy: 

Choices Create a Believeable and Consistent World

creating a world with control and consistency that the audience can relate to, project themselves into, believing in and relate to characters as real, living breathing characters. 
- more thoughts and notes by Mark Kennedy

See notes on UNCANNY VALLEY

http://www.animatorisland.com/the-uncanny-valley/