step 1 of 14
Started out with a rough outline on gray (808080) background, because I will be using several gray layers set to overlay for dodging and burning. Chose a color for the skin tone and used the pen tool to cut out for the face. Also added a rough cut out of the bust, I'll deal with the color and details later for this part.
step 2 of 14
I used three burn overlays for the face, here is the first. My reasoning for using several overlays is that you can skip around when using the burn tool. This way if you make a mistake you can always paint back over the burn with the paint brush using the same gray color (808080) and try again. (Example: You have an outline of the ears on one layer, then choose another layer for the shading and it doesn't look like you want it to, then you can just paint back over the shading and try again without disturbing your outline which is on another layer.) Also started working on the eyes.
step 3 of 14
Second burn overlay.
step 4 of 14
Third burn overay, also added some shape and color for clothing.
step 5 of 14
I used two dodge overlays, this is the first.
step 6 of 14
Here is the second, I know it doesn't look much different, but believe me it is.
step 7 of 14
Now we have the combination of all five burn and dodge layers with the skin color layer turned on, looks a little washed out, but we'll fix that in the next couple of steps.
step 8 of 14
Here I made a copy of all layers of burn and dodge with the face color and used a gradient map using black and white as my colors.
step 9 of 14
I moved the gradient map copy to the top of all layers and set it to multiply and turned back on my clothing layer with a little more detail added. Much better
step 10 of 14
The hair is done the same way with multiple layers. Using a small one or two pixel brush just drew in the hair. btw, I used a wireless mouse (not a drawing pen) and believe me it wasn't a simple job! The inset is showing how I had to change color under the hair area, otherwise it would have been too much of a rusty brown. Also after finishing the drawing of the hair, I did some more dodging and burning with a larger brush but it's hard to show here, I just played with it until I thought it was OK.
step 11 of 14
OK, all parts done and turned on, but it sure looks a little washed out, the next layer will take care of that. Oh, I almost forgot. The background is just rendered clouds with a radial blur.
step 12 of 14
I boosted the contrast to around 30, seems to have done the trick, although I'm not liking the skin color.
step 13 of 14
Using the color balance I reduced the yellow a little, hope I made the right decision, because I struggle with skintone.
step 14 of 14
OK, now to the subject of this painting. This is my Daddy, Lonnie Alexander Wright. He was born April 1909 and died January 1992. He was sort of an old mountain man and never liked having his picture taken and certainly would not have set for a portrait. Of the very few picture we ever had of him, he was always walking away or had his head down, so using his last licence photo was the only reference I had, and of course knowing and loving him was a pretty good reference too!
Final result
this is something i am trying to teach myself currently.
(2 years and 215 days ago)thanks for your great SBS. the dodge and burn is my downfall at the moment... your ideas are just what i need to guide me.
I would love if you have the time to drop me a note about the grey layers... WHY grey...sorry if this seems a dumb question.