Toning skin

If you found the earlier tutorial (just below this post) on skin toning easy, you can try your hand at this one too.

Step 1 : I have opened this image in Photoshop.

Step : 3 : Press 'J' on your keyboard.

Step 4 : Then press CTRL+Shift+N this will make a new layer (see above)

Step 5 : Tick the Sample All Layers box in the toolbar (shown above).

Step 6 : Click the Healing Brush Tool from the flyout. (I am using Photoshop CS2, you will find the tool in the same place in Photoshop7). We will now proceed to remove blemishes such as wrinkles and spots.

Step 7 : Use the Zoom Tool to magnify the face. This will enable you to see the imperfections.

Step 8 : Press ALT to select the source from where you will clone the image. I have marked it with 'A' in the image. I have clicked at the spot 'B' to remove a blemish. Continue doing this to remove all blemishes. You can change the spot from where you are cloning. Again press Alt and click to clone from a different area.

Step 9 : in The Layers/Channels/Paths palette reduce the opacity to 70 per cent.

Step 10 : Make a new layer CTRL+Shift+N

Step 11 : Copy all visible layers to the new layer by using Alt+Shift+CTRL+E.

The Layers/Channels/Paths palette should look like above.

Step 12 : Now reduce the opacity of the layer to between 20 and 30 per cent (it will depend on your image).

Step 13 : Go to Filter>Blur>Gaussian Blur

Step 14 : Set a radius of 3 pixels in the Gaussian Blur dialogue box and click OK.

Step 15 : Now go to Image>Adjustments>Curves

Step 16 : When the Curves dialogue Box opens click on the centre of the diagonal line across the grid. If you image is dark like mine click and push upwards. It the image is light drag the diagonal line down. You must remember this.

Step 17 : Now click on the Quick Mask button to create a layer mask. The Quick Mask button is shown. As soon as you click it the layer mask will appear as shown beside the image layer.

Step 18 : Now make sure that the Foreground is set to Black (bottom arrow) then click the Paint Bucket Tool from the flyout. Fill the Layer with black.

Step 19 : With the Brush Tool slowly paint away the skin, while avoiding the eyes and lips. (Click to make this image larger to see it if you have difficulty).

Step 20 : As you paint the layer mask will show the change (see above).

Step 21 : Click on the Foreground/Background box as shown. It will bring up the Select Foreground COlor dialogue box. From it choose the skin tone you would like the image to have and click. Click ok. Then use the Paint Bucket to fill the layer with the selected color.

Step 22 : This is how my image now looks like.

Step 23 : Now change the opacity in the Layers/Channels/Paths palette to Multiply as shown above.

Step 24 : This is how my image now looks.

Step 25 : Now again click the Layer Mask Button. A new Layer Mask is formed.

Step 26 : Go to Image>Apply Image

Step 27 : Set the Layer to Background. I have set the Channel to blue. You can choose another option from the drop down box depending on your image. Set Blending to Normal.

Step 28 : Again with the Foreground set to Black use the Brush Tool to wipe away the image being careful not to touch the eyes and lips. See above.

I forgot to show where the Brush Tool is located. Here it is.

To save the image click Layers>Flatten Image. Then go to File>Save As. Save as Jpg.

This tutorial is long and complicated. You will have to practice it. I will have to too. So long.