A real obvios seting.. when yo usetup up your scene, think WHAT your figure is doing, and WHERE they need to look at. If you were say, plunging a sword into a dragon, wold you be staring out into space, or looking at the sword tip?

Much of the "talent" of great renders are just simply thinking out the scene.. some people just don't use that step.

Think about:

WHERE is my scene taking place.. what's in the background that might be interesting?

What TIME is it, and what should the lighting be like?

WHERE does the main light come from?

Should SHADOWS be over certain things in my scene?

Where is the main focus I want in the scene? Is your EYE drawn to it? If NOT, then HOW to draw that main point's attention?

I usually use one main light, one edge light, an dthen as many spots (or colored spots) as I need for the scene. Many people never use spotlights or point lights, and they can really pop out the drama in a scene.

Way too many people take way too many things way too seriously.