So I did a "painting" of a dog which a lot of people said was pretty good, then I tried a baby, which quite frankly looked like pooh. :) So I've summoned up the courage to try again with a girl in a hat. I've gotten to this point and don't know what to do to improve. Any thoughts? I've posted the original and the attempt at a painting.
Thanks! and feel free to show me what you can do with it.
Brandi

I really like the depth in the eyes, and the texture in the hat is very nice. Keep an eye on your shadows, though--the one on the side of the nose is pretty odd-looking, and you've cut into shirt's with that strand of hair. It's a cute picture, though, and you've gotten a nice start.

Hi Brandi-
Have you seen Palms' post on smudging in the Photo-Art Resources folder?
http://www.retouchpro.com/forums/photo-art-resources/20346-smudging-resources.html
Lots of information there!

I am a complete newbie to smudging, so take what I say with a grain of salt. I think the challenge with smudging is to smudge it enough for it to look painted, without over smudging. I think your's still looks a lot like a photo, but I often think that of smudged images. I definitely agree with Maroon though, the hat looks great!

Maybe you could tell a little more about what you've done, so the smudging experts can give you better advice on where to go from here. For example, did you only smudge, or did you do some post finishing stuff (USM or diffuse, etc.)
Good Luck!

Great photo to work with. It all starts there....I think the challenge with smudging is to smudge it enough for it to look painted, without over smudging. I think your's still looks a lot like a photo, but I often think that of smudged images.
Good observations...

One way to get away from the "still looks like a photo" look, yet retain the pleasing smudged look on facial features is to:
* Duplicate the final smudged layer... perhaps multiple times
* Apply heavier-than-you-would-on-a-photo amounts of sharpening to bring out hair and hat highlights and texture
* Apply hue/sat adjustment layers to boost saturation and/or shift colors a bit
* Use layer masks to selectively apply the above effects (hat, hair sharpened, hat color, eye color, rosy cheeks)

Here's a quick hack to illustrate how you can have your cake and eat it too.

More food for thought: The black background for a photo portrait is a traditional/classic effect that works great (like this one does) when lighted properly. FWIW I've never seen a (real) painted portrait with a solid background of any color. That said there's nothing wrong with breaking the rules when it comes to this type of thing.

Your smudge technique is definitely getting better. Keep on learning!

My attempt, Is it more painterly ? everyone has a different opinion/preference, if there is something you like or don't like about it say then maybe i can offer some advice on what to do or not do
Take note of the advice already given and keep on practicing, noting what works for you and what dosnt, For your third one (or first person) you have done well

As with all smudges look at it as big as you can to see more of a effect

Palms