Thanks for the critique.
Are you really learning art all by yourself? If I hadn't know who you are, I would think that you are a student of some old and prestigious Russian fine arts academy. The technique is too old-school and academic for a hobbyist.
Also, the eyes look suspicious.
EDIT: "old-school" means classical.
How do you know who I really am? Perhaps I
am a student in a prestigious Russian arts academy, and simply posing as a self-taught forumite to garner fame and admiration.
More seriously: I've had a few standard "arts & crafts" classes in school. I don't believe I benefited from those lessons much. I have at least one real-life (and real) artist to turn to for advice, though I receive no active instruction.
I don't see at all how this is "too old-school". Why can't a hobbyist learn from the old masters?
Lordnincompoop's fine portrait got me inspired to do some portrait drawing myself. Since (apparently) studying photos is bad, very bad, overwhelmingly bad and endangering the sanity of others, I've decided to draw the only person I can ask to pose for me — myself.
Just look at all these fucked-up proportions. Oh, and I still can't shade for shit.
There are three common reasons for "bad shading":
1. Sloppiness
2. Laziness
3. Lack of practice
Rarely, you may encounter a fourth reason - improper pencil grade. I personally love my 4B, but if you don't have the Touch, you'll likely find it difficult to make all the shades you need with just a 4B. Try 2B, 6B, 2H, 4H and 6H as well (if you have them).
There is only one solution to the first two, and that is discipline. Try to have patience, a light touch, and plenty of care.
As for the third, you simply need to practice. Draw from life as carefully as you can (lack of practice is made worse by sloppiness, and often the two are confused) and practice drawing those balls. You can never escape the balls. Balls are for life.
EDIT: I'd just like to add that there is nothing horribly wrong with drawing from photographs, and that the person who gave you that advice should be slapped for hyperbole. Drawing from life is simply better.