GIMP Version: 2.8.14
Operating System: Windows
GIMP Experience: New User

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Hi, I have been searching for some tips on how to achieve shadows on a face I'm painting, I can't quite comprehend the fall of shadows, could anyone point me to some tutorial or reading matter please? Thank you in advance.

My suggestion is the following:
1. start with an image having the characteristics of your painting, for instance

2. desaturate (luminosity)

3. posterize (6)

By this way you see the primary areas of shadows and the relative intensity

Thank you dinasset, I really appreciate your help (once again).

You might like to see this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPz8Xyt3z-w

Marcobucci is a great teacher and it is worth looking at all his videos. He has a fun approach to light and colour that really works and explains it well.

EDIT: This looks like a good series. I've learnt something today
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nap7dwHjD9Y

Thanks Erisian, really appreciate your help, I'll be watching those more than once, although short, he packs a lot in while keeping it simple. I guess he's using keystroke shortcuts for his tool options (Griatch's recommendation from get-go), I really must sort that out.

Have a look here:

https://sketchfab.com/models/7d3d7fa9b6e54a2aa448d574b340c3ef

Using the mouse changes angle, shift-click=up and down, Ctrl-click=zoom in and out and Alt-click adjusts the lighting. There may be more functions I haven't discovered yet.