First, freeze the posture; the weight on the shoulder and the tension in the arm must feel like a live spine. Let the light strike from a narrow angle, so the left cheek is a deep, almost black shadow. That shadow should still carry a subtle line of armor or a faint scar—something that says she’s been there. Keep the palette muted, earthy tones, then add a single splash of crimson on the breastplate to catch the eye. I once spent weeks on a single eyebrow because a stray line could ruin the whole silhouette. Remember, the truth is in the shadows, not the highlights.