Some big update: My first real environment concept art and therefor also directly Luminé's first real (besides the forest) environment, finished. I still have to learn a lot, but seeing how these are my first, I'm super proud! So first, the desert mountains, located in the Sun spire and follows the river that heads towards…
A key thing is to not just add lights floating in space. Instead visit real locations, and pay close attention to how and where the lighting is. If you can’t visit an old diner, then look at tons of references, and try to map it out.