I don't generally do studies even on a small scale (haHAAAA), but a part of all this is to improve myself however I can. And why not tackle a little texture?
The idea I've got right now is to use a very basic, drawn-on scale texture to inform finer, more detailed lighting. As it stands it's not perfect, a bit too realish for my vaguely toony style. I'll likely only make the scales visible on the edges of highlights and shadows.