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Hi there Kim,
The faces in shadow on my website are those which are outdoor portraits using outdoor light. (Thanks for saying they "worked" for you, Kim.) That's where the interesting color changes happen in outdoor work; the light side gets blasted away in full sun, or at least that's what happens in Arizona. I often include a strip of sunlight to suggest volume and help with the design of the painting.
The shadow side is not as interesting in terms of color once you get indoors. It's more about subtle modeling and value changes.
I agree with Marvin that this is too much shadow for a child indoors. I have a couple of theories about children's portraits and one is that clients like a low ratio between the light side and the shadow side on children's faces. In other words, if your light side is a value 3 your dark side should be a value 5 or thereabouts. Personally I like a higher contrast in a child's face but since it highlights plane changes it's too "dramatic" and "gloomy" for many clients.
Really cute kids, by the way, lucky you!
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