Some thoughts, please on a new piece.

[Admbrns]

I have a few hours in this and wanted some thoughts. Good/Bad/Suggestions/etc.

Thanks! 

[artistebot]

This looks like a great start. I took me a few moments to understand what is going on.

There is plenty of nice texure work that might be over powering the  composition, maybe pulling it back as it may help how well each element reads to the eye? Have you considered putting more emphasis on the shadow with the spear? I also like how the stairs is looking. 

Here is a quick paint-over. You might also consider cropping the image, but it could create ugly tangents.

[xelfereht]

Ok, i just had a quick play.
i made it a vertical comp to go with the staircase theme of going up.
gave it a bit of a dutch tilt to give it some tension.
made the shadow a bit more menacing while getting the compositions flow to stay in the page
took away the 2 characters equality in size and spacing in the scene. the balance was a bit boring for me
by bringing him closer to the point of meeting i think its a bit more interesting. the big pillar on the left was not doing much for me
made the guy look prepared but still the underdog in the encounter. he looked like too capable before i thought all strutting into a fight

anyway i hope it gives you some ideas

[Admbrns]

Thanks for the CC guys. Unfortunately, I'm not putting this illo as a priority, working on it very little, here and there between other excersizes and work. Here's an update, I'm trying my best to not use 100% black.