Hey there! Well, you said it yourself: you're painting shadows without following a light direction, and this portrait would look even better if the lighting were consistent. Always think about the direction the light is coming from. In this case, let's say the light is coming from 3/4. So, think about which planes of the face are exposed to the light, and then add shadows that follow that lighting direction. :) Do the same for the hair and the rest of the body. This will make the illustration feel much more believable! I hope this helps!
Paintovers (1)
beginner at anime lighting and my sketches are a mess
Artist's notes:
I’ve been trying to draw anime characters with different lighting but i keep putting shadows wherever they look nice instead of where they should actually be. My lighting and values need work. using digital art, any feedback?