You might be able to justify the sharp key figure lighting if you apply some lightening to the sky and extend the lighting effect to the sword, helmet, rocks and foliage. Add specularity to the foreground foliage and rocks to make them appear wet and add some ripple to the water for the driving rain. The rain itself looks very good. The overall image, its mood and its composition is spectacular. I too would love to see the finished piece. Excellent!