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Submitted: December 15, 2012
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Painting a portrait (explanation included.)by =Suzanne-Helmigh

Resources & Stock Images / Tutorials / Digital Art / Drawing & Painting / Photoshop

Here is the Borus portrait explained in steps. (Press download for bigger image.)

1. Linesketch, try to find the essence of the character in this phase.

2. Add a layer underneath the lineart and start to bash in some starter colors.

3. Add a layer on top of the lineart and refine the features, paint away all the line art or erase the lineart.
When that is done, merge the layers of the character (not with the background!)

4. Mirror the image. This way you can spot mistakes easier.

5. Fill in the background and possible foreground. I also changed the colors here with color balance while having the character layer selected.

6. Work on the lighting and keep in mind that there is also bounce light. You can see the blue hues on the face.

7. Use your personal favorite paint technique to make colors blend, this can be done by a smooth or textured softbrush or with a etching pattern.
In this step I also added something called a Rembrandt triangle. It's the triangle highlight underneath the eye to show a more accurate depth.

8. I wasn't satisfied with the face angle. It's never to late to alter your painting for a better image, don't be afraid to start all over.
I used a photo of myself to reference the new angle of the face that was more interesting to me.

9. Refine the new look and work on some contrast.

10. This guy's skin isn't smooth, but aged, tired and damaged, working on those details really adds up to the realism.
I also enhanced the highlights to create more contrast.

Done. Go through every detail and make the areas of less interest less detailed. You can use the blur tool and sharpen tool to enhance those areas. Moving the channels in your image can give it a slight 3D effect.

Good luck!! Let me know if have any troubles or questions

This entire progress can be found on my livestream channel.
[link]

You can send in your work to: helmighs (at) gmail.com
for reviews and paintovers on 'What's up! Wednesdays.' livestreams
Ever Wednesday on 19:30 (7:30 pm) Amsterdam time.
Find out what time that is for you on : [link]

My website: [link]

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~MakanAnsari 6 days ago New member Professional Artisan Crafter

Thanks

~Chel-R Jan 20, 2013 Hobbyist Digital Artist

favorite part: the lil self-portraits

nah seriously, thx for the nice step-by-step tutorial. really like it!

=Suzanne-Helmigh Jan 20, 2013 Professional Digital Artist

thanks haha yes those photos of me were necessary just pointing out how I used photo reference

=Alkven Jan 14, 2013 Hobbyist General Artist

Thanks for adding your work to

group!)

=Suzanne-Helmigh Jan 14, 2013 Professional Digital Artist

no problem

~fang Dec 16, 2012 Student Digital Artist

question! i've been told by some other painters that it's preferable to at least lay down the background color first because it's easier to make the subject fit the background than vice versa. opinion?

=Suzanne-Helmigh Dec 17, 2012 Professional Digital Artist

I'd say, colors are always editable and I edit mine all the time

You should be stuck to the first colors you pick, especially not to the first background color you select.

~fang Dec 17, 2012 Student Digital Artist

thanks!

~DawnSentinel Dec 15, 2012

What do you do to blend the brush strokes? Use the smudge tool or something else? I always have trouble with it.

=Suzanne-Helmigh Dec 15, 2012 Professional Digital Artist

I use various techniques. Sometimes I smudge with a blending toolbrush (for places that would only distract when detailed) other times I use a really roughly textured soft brush and occasionally I like to etch

I used all 3 techniques in this one.

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