Crazy cross hairs

[yangez]

I have been practicing some skin retouching on a photo I got in another forum. Now I'm relatively satisfied with the skin and eyes and would like to move on to the hair... which looks extremely challenging to tame.

Orig: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2125/...72058912_b.jpg
WIP: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2159/...b09c004e_b.jpg

I was wondering if anyone had any ideas about the hair here... cloning? smudge?
I tried the innographx tutorial at http://www.innographx.com/forum/download.php?id=4164 and I guess I need to learn how to do it right. Suggestions appreciated.

Skin and color c&c also welcome. I didn't do anything to the lips, though.

Thanks

[byRo]

Smudge-combed hair is a valid and useful technique.

A couple of comments on the tutorial:

1) There is no need to duplicate the "head" layer before smudging.Just create an empty layer and mark the "Sample all layers" option. That way when you sharpen and merge the layer it will be only what you just smudged, nothing else.

2) I wouldn't agree with only going from root to tip, this will change the hair altogether. Longer strokes are good but beware of mixing the highlights and shadows.

After cleaning the hair like this, you'll probably need a bit of Dodge and Burn to get back to the original form.

Rô
(P.S. Pyhllis is a wonderful digital artist, so don't get too worried if yours doesn't look much like hers!)

[palms]

Just to add to the advice given by Ro
when/if using the smudge brush as is in the tutorial you posted try a few different strengths first i think around the 40% gives a bit more natural look unless you want the more painted look

Palms

[yangez]

Thanks guys for the comments. I gotta say, this hair combing thing is pretty hard. The cross hairs always come out as white streaks. I guess that's what the d&b is for...

Is cloning out stray strands worth it before smudgng?

[palms]

Originally Posted by yangez

T
Is cloning out stray strands worth it before smudgng?

I would

Palms