I need help coming up with narrative imagery for a scene. I'm stuck!!

[ChloeGreenbergArt]

Hiiii
I'm working on a book for some folks. But I am SUPREMELY stuck and can't think of any ideas. The first photo is what I have so far, and the 2nd is the sketch. In this scene, the main character is singing in a cantoral school interview. It's a major beat of the story and within a highly emotional sequence.
However,,,, how this room is described to me by the people who have hired me is basically like: very drab, dull, poor quality and empty except for a scratched up piano and some chairs. The last picture I have provided is the last page of the book for some context about what I've added within the room and how objects are oriented related to the characters.
I want to add more narrative imagery. Idk if that should be lighting, adding in subject matter, or what. But it's so empty and boring right now. I hate it!! I need help.

[NessIllustration]

@ChloeGreenbergArt I think you gotta go with a "the music transports us" kinda thing. You don't even have to draw a real place, it can be a swirl of colors and music notes. Whatever! Make it magical You're right that this room, while realistic and fine enough for an establishing shot, is dreadfully boring for a major emotional story beat.

[jenn]

This sounds like an uplifting story that could be inspirational. I agree it is very challenging to express what is supposed to be a drab setting in a non-boring way. Also expressing the power of song visually makes it a double challenge. So just brainstorming with you here ...Perhaps rather than thinking of it as drab your keyword could be conventional. I can see that you have a chalkboard like it's a classroom or a practice room for the cantors. So all of the furniture is no-nonsense, practical, just like the cantors in suits. So the colors don't need to be boring, but the shapes would all be very solid and square. Or you can tone the colors down and have patterns but they are all very conventional patterns like the rugs in these scenes.

Maybe to set the tone "before the song" there could be a window with a cloudy sky, and then the sun breaks through the clouds while the main character starts singing. This could fill the room with some light and color and also have a spiritual symbolism while "spotlighting" the main character. Or you could go all out and add some colors and abstract flowing shapes in as suggested by @NessIllustration to express the emotion of the song. For some reason this short "Inner Workings" popped into my mind, even though it's not exactly what you are doing. Also I came across this "music room lighting upgrade" image in case it inspires some ideas. Hope this helps a little!

[willicreate]

@ChloeGreenbergArt Is the song that the character sings important to the story? If it is, I would recommend incorporating the words (Hebrew?) and/or imagery from the verses as a decorative element to the scene. Show how music affects them emotionally.

Does the story reveal why the cantors like her singing? Is it perfect pitch? Sincerity? Vulnerability? A diamond in the rough? Choice of song? Maybe understanding that (or deciding for yourself) will help the narrative.

I do like your handling of the illustration with the scary shadows.

[ChloeGreenbergArt]

@jenn thank you, this is great!!