right now I think you are at a very high/good level of skill, to the point that only more practice; will produce greater results in skill. I am sure that you have already found that it is a process of discovery and that what works for one painter may not do for another.
But since you asked, I think that you could work on source lighting/mood lighting, but that is usually more for diorama work. you could/should include some object or figure on the base to interact with the figure, in sense to help create a story and involve the creative (naarative) skills of the viewer. Also large flat areas, or open areas, are spaces where you can add free hand designs, or symbols i.e. tatoos, scars, symbols, etc. also watch the eyes, the pupil is not always dead center, you can vary the placement of the pupil to create the effect that he is staring at something you cant see, pupil placement in upper half of eye can indicate semi conciousness, or drunkeness-lower half placement can indicate he looking down- in center with white all around can indicate surprise, eyebrows can also be used to reinforce or indicate emotion. once you start looking for these features you will see them everywhere. I hope that some of this helps. keep on sharing your good work. steveb
