Photoshop Tutorials

Step 33

The last thing we have to do with the lips is integrate them into the face. Without this, they will appear to be pasted one, and have no depth. It will also require another layer titled “mouth” above the “lips” layer.

To begin, use color # DB8779 to define the little dip above the mouth*. The best way I have found to do this is in tens of layers. This will allow you to build up the area around the lips and create a soft edge. Using the same color and brush, work your way around the mouth concentrating the color on the left side of the mouth, and in a little hook shape at the right corner.

To finish off the little “hook”, take the burn tool (62% exposure, midtones mode, 35 pixels soft brush) and darken it until it is the same darkness as the crease between the lips.

And now, the lips are done!

*Use a 60 pixel soft brush (but use a soft hand, this will make the line very thin, but will give you more control) at 7% opacity

Step 34

So moving on to the hair, actually create a new layer above the hair layer and title it “hair highlights”. Just like the title says, we are going to begin by highlighting the hair.

This is both the simplest, and most time consuming part of the creation process, but when done right will make every portrait look very realistic.

Start with the area just above the shoulder. This is where most of the hair detailing will come in, just as it does in the photograph. Using long thin strokes make the impression of hair cascading over her shoulder. Remember, hair does not start halfway down the shoulder, it starts outside the frame. Because of this, every strand must begin at the outside and make its way over the shoulder. Make some of the strands shorter, tapering off the ends. Make sure that there is still some of the background color showing through the strands while you work.

Use the same process to indicate the highlights throughout the rest of the hair.

To define the hairline use short strokes that taper on both ends.

Use the hair to set the hair into the hairline a little by adding a short fringe in front, and hair crossing over it and into the background.

Step 35

The last step for rending the hair is adding the darks (color # 150201). This can be done using a large soft edged brush set to 70% opacity, and then using a 4 pixel brush for details around the shoulder and hairline.

Once the hair looks finished, use a hard edged opaque eraser brush and fix up the lines, cleaning up the edges around the face.

Step 36

And, you’re done! You can chose to take it further, adding detail to the shoulder* and adding wisps of hair in the face or not. How far you go is entirely up to you!

*Colors for shoulder details

Lights- ECC7B6

Darks- CB9C81

The most important thing to remember about the shoulder is to leave a little bit of the pink skin base showing through.

Thank you for looking at this tutorial, I hope you enjoyed seeing how I create digital portraits, and that you learned a little about the process along the way!

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