ok not the best paint over but a few things i think would help.
you can up the effect of the lighting to be a bit more dramatic
you can use the bounce light from the walls to pull a bit of detail and conrast into the character, doesnt have to be super bright or look rim lit, but having some warm on the cool colors will already grab more attention
the dragon kinda looks like hes looking back at the rider which take it in a loop between the riders head and the dragon, can maybe change the angle if you wannt push it to the castle
theres a lot of same mass shapes, the lit wall and the gaps in the wall are like the same size in shape as the wings and the lack of contrast in shape is kinda boring.
you can use more light on dark and dark on light to pop things to looking a bit more 3d
and you can use things like clouds as eye leading elements hopefully in a subtle enough way it doesnt look forced
again its not a great paint over but hopefully theres something in it.
witht he crowd in the sunset painting i actually like the warmer version you did
it feels like it fits the narrative, at least as i imagine it. more so than the cooler pallet one.
i would just say remember paintings like a constant push pull of everything, value, contrast and hardness
if your crowd is pulling too much attention reduce the contrast in one way or another untill the things you want to stand out do. its a nice painting, i really think you should choose one you really like to see at a high finish and work on it till you are satisfied, even if it takes years.
i have several paintings ive been painting once in a while for years. as i learn i just keep pushing them
just like study sickness, dont get stuck in a rough look is good enough stage
but thats how i feel about it
what makes you happy you will know better.
peace!