Critique for the newbie.

[marek]

hi people,

OK, i was playing some images from lipstick forum, nothing to do in the office, so here it is.
I dunno how to get rid of those tectonic plates on the skin... if you know what i mean


First:
Retouch
http://img411.imageshack.us/my.php?image=79962088.jpg

Untouch
http://img509.imageshack.us/my.php?image=84497601.jpg


Second:
Retouch
http://img222.imageshack.us/my.php?image=60128755.jpg

Untouch
http://img245.imageshack.us/my.php?image=44074236.jpg

Credit fot lipstick forum

[0lBaldy]

I think maybe you have your order reversed in the first set of samples... unless you added the face bumps and rouge on your retouch..

On viewing your retouches I could not identify the tectonic plates you referenced... I am NOT smarter than a 5th Grader so another clue as to the area you meant might be helpful

Tectonic plate removal usually means Blurring or obliterating the delineated lines or junctions separating them and I could not see any delineation... I thought the retouches looked pretty good except for loosing some color and definition/contour

If you meant the pores... sposed to keep em..... do not want Barbie look... use D&B
If you meant the highlights... I use a cheat.... the Patch tool, faded

Want Smooth skin... (Not D&B) I use Kent Chrisiansen's " Skin Fix" (download) a set of actions for smoothing skin. Also found <here> (scroll down to find it)
.. This action is a combination of Maurice Hamilton, Russell Brown, byRo's de-grunge trick and KentC methods all rolled into one action..
(I generally use the "Paint Soft Skin" at default settings)

[marek]

thnx olbaldy... i did it all in D&B with curves.. about the tectonic plates here it is and sorry for the reverse link.. and thnx for the link for great action

PS. is there an easy way to fix the lips coz her lips skin is peeling off