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Very nice drawing, Kris. The shading is sensitive, and the form is strong.
I would add to Steven's comments the following. Background is a very subjective thing, and sometimes is done as an afterthought. Why do we draw backgrounds? Usually for contrast, too much negative space, artistic flourish, habit, or sometimes, no reason at all. The background here, my guess, is to offset the heavy drawing on the sweater. I try to avoid backgrounds on portraits unless they are necessary to the composition, or add to the composition a desirable flourish. This background is not bad, but the question is, would this drawing have been better without it? The abundance of lines in the background can draw the eye away from the face. Perhaps a washy background, so easy in charcoal, executed before the drawing is detailed, and which would allow for a lost edge here and there, would have worked better. Given the lack of lines in the rest of the drawing (not a bad thing), the use of lines in the background is a little strong.
I was once criticized for using background to cover my messes. Since then I have been very careful with my backgrounds.
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