Mixced media portraits

start images

Find Edges

Open 'Start.psd' from the supplied files. Press Cmd/Ctrl+J to duplicate the layer, then go to Filter>Stylize>Find Edges. To banish the colour, press Cmd/ Ctrl+Shift+U, a shortcut for Desaturate.

Levels

Press Cmd/Ctrl+L to bring up Levels. Slide the Shadows slider inward to strengthen the lines, and drag the Highlights slider inward to remove intermediate detail. Click OK when done.

Mask it

Add a layer mask with the icon in the Layers palette. Set Foreground to black. With a soft, round brush at 80% opacity, paint in the mask in the facial. shoulder; and upper left areas.

Colored Pencil

Duplicate the Background layer and move to the top. Go to Filter> Artistic-Colored Pencil. Use these settings: 7. 14,38. Click OK. Set Opacity to 80%. Use a mask to paint out some of the effect.

Museum wall

Go to File>Place, add 'Wall.jpg' from the supplied files. Set the blend mode to Multiply. Add a layer mask and paint out some of the texture, especially in the facial area.

Some old cardboard

Go to File>Place, add 'Caroboardjpg' from the supplied files. Set the blend mode to Overlay. Add a layer mask and paint out some of the texture in the right side and the bottom left.

The family sofa

Now place 'Sofajpg' from the supplied files. Set the blend mode to Color Burn and drop Opacity to 50%. Add a layer mask and paint out some of the texture, especially inthe facial area.

Add a flower

Next, place 'Flowerjpg' Set the blend mode to Overlay. Add a layer mask to paint out some of the bottom-right area. We need to boost the flowers presence, so we'll duplicate in the next step.

Flower power

Press Crnd/Ctrl-J to duplicate the flower. Change the blend mode to Multiply. This will darken a lot of the area. Click the mask and paint black in those areas. Keep the flower intact.

Borrow some bubbles

Next, place 'Bubblesjpg'. Set the blend mode to Pin Light Opt/ Alt+Click the Layer Mask icon. Set Foreground colour to white, then paint in areas to add a light presence of the bubbles.

Leaf veins

Place 'Leaf.jpg' from the supplied files. Set the blend mode to Overlay. Add a layer mask,set Foreground colour to black, and paint out some of the texture. especially in the facial area and the upper flower area.

Old wooden plank

Now place 'Woodjpg' from the supplied files. Set the blend mode to Multiply. Opt/Alt+click the Layer Mask icon. Carefully paint white in select areas such as the cheek and back/shoulder area to add a touch of wood texturing.

Reinforce the model

Make a duplicate of the background and move it to the top. Option/ Alt-click the Layer Mask icon. Paint white in a few select areas to reinforce the original model and override the barrage of textures. Be sure to touch the eyes.

Vibrance

Click the Create New Adjustment Layer button in the Layers palette; choose Vibrance. Drag Vibrance all the way to the left and increase Saturation to +25. Paint black in select areas to restore colour.

Color Balance

Click the Create New Adjustment Layer button in the Layers palette, choose Color Balance. Set Midtones to (top to bottom) 0, -100, +100. Paint black in the right and select areasto remove the adjustment. Duplicate the adjustment layer and fine-tune the mask until happy.

Drain surrounding colour

Click the Create New Adjustment Layer button in the Layers palette, and choose Vibrance. Drag both sliders to the left. Paint black in the upper left area to restore colour.

Darken with Overlay

Place 'Blurjpg' from the supplied files. Set the blend mode to Overlay and drop Opacity to 50%. Add a layer mask and paint out some of the texture in the facial area and lower right quadrant.

Add some watercolour

Place 'Watercolors_V1_1004jpg'. Situate to the right and confirm the place. Set the blend mode to Darken. Duplicate, move slightly to offset, apply a layer mask, and paint black to lessen areas.

More watercolour

Place'Watercolors_V1_1006jpg'. Enlarge slightly before confirming. Set the blend mode to Darken. Apply a layer mask and paint out the bottom and central areas. Duplicate, scale down, set to Darker Color, and paint black in the mask to reduce.

Colour Fill

Click the Create New Fill Layer button in the Layers palette, choose Solid Color. Pick #e7db18. Change the blend mode to Darker Color. Paint black in select areas to remove colour.

Reinforce the model

Let's reinforce the model again. Make a duplicate of the background and move it to the top. Set the blend mode to Soft Light. OptionjAlt+click the Layer Mask icon. Paint white in various areas to beef up the woman's presence.

Cyan love

Click the Create New Adjustment Layer button, choose Color Balance. Set   Midtones Cyan/Red to -100. Paint black in areas to remove the cyan cast. Duplicate the adjustment layer twice and fi ne-tune the masks until satisfied.

All together now

Wrth the top-most layer selected, press CmdjCtrl+Option/Alt+Shift+E. This will merge all layers into one and enable us to apply an effect such as a filter to the entire composite.

Sharpen with High Pass

Goto Filter-Otheo+iigh Pass. Set Radius to 10.0 pixels, then click OK. Add a layer mask and paint black at the edges and anywhere else you want to remove sharpening.