struggling with portraits what to practice

[hexed iron]

also colour is hard asf idk what im even doing gang im so lost

[lone violet]

hi,
I really like the way you added those shadows, but I feel like there are some areas where a darker more noticable shadow would be required (look at his eyes or at his neck) One thing that could also be worth a try is softening some of the edges (like the lower part of the shadow on his left cheek for example). Great drawing tho, hope this helps