XMegantronX
i thought i did ok showing that the light source is coming from the right, but point out why that's confusing so i'll know.
Looking at it closer, the lighting is consistent with a single light direction. The problem is a mix of two things:
- the shadows are not consistent with the forms of the subjects. For example, the girl's hand has a lot of shadow on it, but her back is almost all in light. This makes no sense.
- the shapes aren't simplified enough, but "realistic" shadows tend to not look good in tones due to being too heavy
Consider why you need shadows. With tones like this, you can't show all the shadows that would realistically exist, because you'd just make a grey mess. You need to pick and choose shadows with a purpose. What is that purpose? To make the various shapes easy to read? To establish a mood?
You seem to be just playing shadows where you think they go, without any cohesive thought or pattern to it, and that's why it's confusing.