You are worlds above me when it comes to coloring in and I'm not colorblind at all 
BUT what I can suggest is that before trying to focus on lighting I would focus on the shading! (I mean they do go hand in hand and its almost impossible to do one without the other but focusing on the shadow first helps carve out the light) Definitely decide where you want the light to be coming from and then darken all of the spots that will not be hit by the light. It is also a lot easier to practice shading with block/cell shading and dont try to blend anything in when you're placing your shadows and lights because it may make it look a little muddy.
Something I would do is to shade with one darkest, a middle ground, and your lightest and thats it at first. and also shade before you place colors on so you dont have to shade based on the colors you picked out and also your colors will look a little more cohesive seeing as they use the same sort of. shade. over them. while still keeping their color if that makes sense.
I feel like I kind of word vomitted here but overall just don't be afraid to make your shadows a little dramatic or large because that is the thing that will really bring out your lightest parts of the drawing. contrast goes hard!!
#general/color critiques?
shell arch
pine carbon
haha i feel like im okay at shading, i just need help with lighting
maybe the picture i showed wasnt the best example because i wanted soft shading for him
shell arch
I only bring it up because lighting is shading. it's two sides of the same coin, you can't really do one without establishing and affecting the other, since they also compliment and make each other stand out through their contrast. Soft shading is really cute but you also would be doing soft lighting and low contrast which makes the lighting stand out less, which im now realizing you are probably aiming for that softer lighting. Which you have done very nicely!
The only thing I can really say is that there doesn't seem to be any light source or direction it's coming from, which can make it pretty confusing as to where to place the lightest points or where they would hit the figure. I would honestly study photos where there are multiple different light sources or it's really bright or any photo you feel has the lighting you want. Figure out where the light source is and what planes it hits. Break up the brightest points from the darkest points (and don't forget your midground) and then try to apply to your drawing how the lighting is in the photo
pine carbon
I only bring it up because lighting is shading. it's two sides of the same coin,...
ohh i just wanted like advice on how lighting effects colors and stuff, i'm okay with shading and highlights i just wanted any advice on colors in my drawings, im sorry if i didnt make that clear in my original post