Wastelander Hive Vent

Hey, it's alright... though my biggest issue is that you used pure black and white in your painting. It's too harsh imho..

This looks like a pretty difficult first study you've chosen for yourself. In all honesty, I would've gone for something simpler, a lamp on your desk with a few items from around your home for example.

If you could do that, and do it well, then I think you would a lot learn more.
It sounds BORING, but... I think a still life would do you more good right now than any photos with more complex lighting. Stick to colour values within 10 - 90% (Photoshop) and paint what you see on the table.
Try to interpret what you see, although you shouldn't try to copy or paint it exactly. Simplify what you see to some extent.
That's just my advice to you and some ideas for you to consider, okay, you don't have to follow any of this if you feel it won't help you.

The problem I see here is that you need to practice the lighting shining onto objects, not necessarily shining outward and away from them.