help with shading

[iron burrow]

Shadows honestly feel messy, any tips? (Beginner)

[robust atlas]

also a beginner but it's best to have a defined form in mind if you want to do shading
your head looks really simplified like it's just a circle/round

[near pawn]

i think this art style would look better withot shading! you could do a bit of hard shadow under the chin and thats it.
is there a specific art style youre going for?

[robust atlas]

Yeah I'm not familiar with this style but I was checking out gumball for ideas, since you have the same general head shape

This is the kind of shading I can recommend best ig?
Tracing the form thinly with a sharp border and consistent shade color

[near pawn]

yeah too much shading/lighting on very simple, cartoony features give uncanny valley. better to keep it simple :)

[robust atlas]

Honestly find what style you want to copy or use
And see what techniques they use for shading

[iron burrow]

I want a thick-simple artstyle, like those pinterest furry references <: