Different techniques can produce an array of digital portraits. Apply a digital filter, learn the process of vectoring, trace a photograph with a mouse pen or digitally paint it with multiple layers of complicated digital brushes. By using one or two digital brushes, skillful layering and a color palette, you can create a basic portrait.
Instructions
1. Open the photo editing software and reference photo. Create a grid over the entire surface of the reference photo. Make each grid box 1-square inch and save the photo with the grid under a different file name. This preserves the original photo and lets you make mistakes while you work.
2. Open a blank workspace the same size as the photo. Reproduce the grid over the blank workspace.
3. Select the software's standard line brush and set the hardness to "0" with about 30 percent opacity. These settings become available to you for manipulation in any editing software when you select the brush.
4. Block in the major shapes presented in the photo using the grids for perspective and relative placement. Keep the lines loose and flowing. Don't worry about detail yet.
5. Frame in the facial features and hairline. Some artists superimpose a mini-grid for this, but it's not necessary if you pay strict attention to relative line and curve placement in the grid.
6. Flip the reference photo and grid and your working space and grid on their sides to check the relative line and curve placement. This helps your eye look past the picture and focus on the work as just a series of lines and curves. Flip it back to continue.
7. Block in the color and shade tones to add depth and realism to the portrait. If you're having trouble with the gradations, trace the individual gradients on a copy of the photo. Break the gradients down into defined shapes, transfer those shapes to the portrait in the form of shade color blocks and then blur the transitions between the blocks.
8. Flip the reference photo and grid again to refine the portrait even more. Flip it back when you are satisfied with your changes.
9. Darken the darkest darks and purify the highlights (lightest lights) to create the greatest depth in the digital portrait.
