Adding details and contrast

11 Make corrections

Once I’m happy with the colours and level of detail in the head, I make some final tweaks using the Liquify filter. These minuscule adjustments in the size of the features, how the eyes, eyebrows, and mouth are angled, and even tweaking the shape of the head, can really bring an expression to life and make for a much more appealing portrait.

12

I believe it’s important to slowly build up to your brightest highlights and darkest shadows throughout your painting. In these final stages, I’m bringing out some of the brightest areas with sharper specular highlights. On the leg, I use a grainy brush to emulate skin pores that catch the light. This is one of my favourite parts of the process. My patience is finally rewarded!