I really enjoy what you have called "the atmosphere" as well. I do have a few coloring comments. The use of blue as the shading (though common) is enjoyable against the ocher of the tiger, it forces the colors to vibrate against one another. However, the rat becomes somewhat washed out with the same dark hues, this is less of an issue with your use of warm backlight for the front of the rat's frame. I feel that that same back lighting could of been applied more liberally along the lower portion of the tiger, to aid in separating the form the background. Over all a very enjoyable work, with a fitting hue structure.
Thank you so much for the feedback! I'll definitely keep it in mind in the future. I had some issues highlighting the rat, the yellow/orange lighting was difficult to show on the rat's darker fur, and it ended up looking washed out, like you said. Would you have any tips for lighting darkly colored subjects?
I usually try and make my surrounding light the complimentary, which you did here, but it takes up such a small portion of the rat that it goes unnoticed at a distance. Make finding a way to work a warmer (but dark) tone into the darks of the rat? It really can be tricky!
This is not exactly the same situation, but may be helpful?: [link]
This is not exactly the same situation, but may be helpful?: [link]