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In this tutorial, we’ll be painting an abstract vision of a dreaming person. I will describe my progress of face painting a male character. Also, we will create a special custom brush for blending colors. I’ll show you how to paint advanced constructions by combining basic shapes. The final image is a bold man’s portrait of a head flying in the sky. All painting will be done by mouse. All you need is pure Photoshop!
This tutorial was entered into the PSDTUTS First Tutorial Writing Contest. See the results of the contest here. While this tutorial did not win the tutorial contest, it certainly caught our attention. Enjoy the Tut!
Final Image Preview
Before we get started, let’s take a look at the image we’ll be creating. As always, the layered Photoshop file and the custom brush created for this tutorial are available via our PSDTUTS Plus membership. You can view the final image preview below or view a larger version here.
Before We Get Started
Here you can find my mini-tutorial that shows how to draw a head. I learned this technique a very long time ago in Cracow from some sympathetic graffiti artist. It’s very easy, and just follow the images below to see how to draw the character’s head.
Step 1
Make a new document, my dimension are 1024 pixels by 768 pixels. Fill the background with #8CC2FF color. The main thing is to choose a background that works well for the right amount of light and shadow. I decided to create morning scene. The sky will be very light. In the next few steps, I’ll be switching between light and dark color to see if my shadows are in good tone. Also, I will be flipping the face horizontally to see if I didn’t make some mistakes.
Step 2
Usually, I start a painting with a sketch. The sketch is very important, I can plan the main shapes and try different combinations. First, make very basic shapes. If it is what you’re looking for, add some settings to the brush and switch between brush sizes to get better effect. This is a easy step for those who have graphic tablet – mouse users have to work a little bit harder.
Step 3
Fill the sketch area with a light color (doesn’t really matter which). Then add shadows with our blending brush. To make it, just put some hard-edged circle brushes in a shape of a big circle. Then add the settings shown below. Select Lock Transparent Pixels if your mouse isn’t very precise. Next, paint shadows on the face.
Go to Image > Adjust > Hue/Saturation and try to choose settings for one of the basic colors. Then switch between our custom brushes and paint with very low Opacity, about 5-15% on the face. Don’t get into the details, just doodle around. Base colors are the type of colors that should be the overall color range of the face and blending colors are for make transitions between the base colors.
Step 4
Now we can add our background. I followed the fist few steps from my previous tutorial on the site Digitally Paint a Fantasy Tree Scene. If you want learn more about brushes, you should read this tutorial.
Step 5
Time to prepare our brushes for painting. Actually we needed them earlier, but it wasn’t necessary. You can make them by yourself or they are available to Plus members for download. The brushes were created from circle shapes, and the secret is to choose good settings.
Step 6
It’s time for the lips. I choose a very basic technique for that. It’s combining only three colors. First, paint a shape with the central color, then add shadows and lights as show below. Also, review the mini-tutorial written specially for PSDTUTS called "How to Paint Lips," see below.
Step 7
Our face is too long so let’s correct that. Select the lower part of the face and move it higher. Don’t worry if it breaks the color’s transitions, we can easily fix it in this step with a blending brush. Flip the whole face horizontal to check if it’s painted well. Then choose our first blending brush and by the base colors (and darker ones for shadows), then smooth the face. Below you can find my mini-tutorial that will tell you how to draw and paint the nose.
Step 8
With a soft brush place light dots on the eyes and chin. Then with the Pen tool (very well described in this tutorial on creating a complete vexel image in Photoshop) draw under-the skin shape, fill it with a skin color, lock selected pixels, and then paint the shadows. Also, you should improve the edges of the upper layer with the Pen tool and a hard-edged small brush.
Step 9
Now we’ll give some life to our skin. Light is strong, so our skin should be more shiny. I will fix my skin with Levels and Curves. Now, select the face by Command-clicking the layer, then click the icon that is marked below. From the list choose Levels and set the Brightness/Contrast and Curves.
Step 10
Now we’ll make the eyes. Try to get an effect as in my previous image. Then paint on eyes with colors as n the images below, and give them the selected options. Remember to paint every color on different layers, otherwise you won’t get right effect. Below I also included my mini-tutorial on “How to Paint Eyes,” which shows another technique to paint eyes.
Step 11
Here you can see how to make shadows by combining two brushes – soft and hard-edged.
Step 12
Now it’s time for eyebrows. You can paint them as shown in the mini-tutorial above by painting brown lines and giving them shadows with soft a brush, or just simply by drawing hard-edged lines and then smoothing them with the Smudge tool.
Step 13
Here we’ll improve the nostril area and ear area. For the nosil overpaint all the area with skin tone, then make shadows for the holes by combining hard and soft brushes. My shadows were too light so I fix them with curves.
Step 14
We can add some details like wrinkles, they are very easy to make and give nice effects. Just paint two lines (one lighter and one darker than face color) on one layer and modify it with Filter > Liquify.
Step 15
For a smoother face use the Smudge tool on some parts of the face (very carefully). Also with the Filter > Liquify you can make our face smile.
Step 16
Now we’ll add some dynamic effect with shiny lines. First, prepare the brush for the stars, as shown below.
Step 17
Time for the lines. Use the Pen tool (look at my options on top of the first image) and draw a line. Choose the Brush tool (don’t paint anything) and choose some hard-edged brush. Set the foreground color – here it’s pink. Then go to the Paths window and by right-click on the stroke and choose Stroke Path. In the Stroke Path Menu choose Brush from list and select Simulate Pressure. Next, select the line layer (Command-click on the layer), move the selection a little to right, and give it a little shadow with the Burn tool. At last choose the Dodge tool, and shine-up our line. You can also give a shadow to it under the skin.
Final image
Here we are, it’s finished! I hope you enjoy the tutorial. You can view the final image below or view a larger version here.
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By Maciej Kwas
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why this Poeple dont get that Tutorials are specially for people who are new i Photoshop and are trying to Learn…
Not just for people who know how tot o that without a tutorial…
Too difficult and Long…!!
not a good tutorial if its called a tutorial it is like an advanced class…
I’m sorry beautifull…
but ur just wasting our time…
too long to create…
a tutorial is something easy and fun to do….
this is boring and Long…
hey guys, you just want to “click-click-enter” and WOW everything is done without any “brain activity”? this is a great tut, if you don’t like it, it means that is not for you, so …you’re free to try something else.
) and you can than use this information in your own ideas; this is very logic and it is a good base in drawing 
IN MY OPINION this is a great tut, and i really mean it! it teaches you how to think(if i can say it like this
good job , and i would really like to see some more! ignore this guys ESPECIALLY Bryan Grajales!
HEY BRYAN, try to use your own brain!!! if you have one…
and BTW, “why long face?” because….read the title dude……ABSTRACT!
To all the people that are bashing the tutorial and artist I think if you would take the time to look past the skill of the artist you would see that there are fundamental techniques here that are key to any great design. Even if you never venture into drawing/painting be it digital or traditional there are still elements here that you absolutely need to know (Light, Texture, etc.). Because without them your design is nothing. And on a separate note tutorials aren’t necessarily going to be short and sweet, they are here to help you increase your skill, and some skills are much harder than others. All in all I’d say this is a great tutorial and that the artist has a great understanding of the techniques used, his execution may not be perfect but that comes with practice.
Wow you guys here are harsh, everyone loved this guys first tutorial on painting a fantasy tree scene and asked for more drawing tuts! Now just cause you dont like the subject, style or composition of this image it makes it a bad tut… such double standards! This tut teaches great techniques for acheiveing digitally painted images. If you dont like the end product draw your own damn face and change the composition. Since most people here seem to be experts on perspective im sure you will hav no problem with that. The style may not be everybodys cup of tea but it still shows you how to paint in photoshop so you could always apply that to your own image, drawing is about being creative, so go out and be creative people!
ok, i have been coming to the *tuts.com communities for a while and this is the first i felt a need to say something. i firmly believe in constructive dialogue, so here goes:
first, maciej is not the only one here who lacks drawings skills. psd and vecttuts have had contributors who sub par drawing talents. you can be a great graphic designer and photoshop/illustrator operator and still be bad at drawing. his talent level is not what’s on trial.
second, you guys need to learn the difference between abstract art and surrealism. although maciej is confused in calling this abstract, you guys need to stop defending the classification. this drawing of realistic items joined in an unrealistic situation are more along the lines of magritte and dali, not poopcaso.
the tutorial is very well put together and very rich with information – maybe a little too much, and had some techniques that i didn’t think of before and will attempt with some future projects. i love how excited maciej is to teach us good tips for drawing – showing full details of specific techniques for shading. this truly has been a very informative class. the extent maciej goes to for the the shading the eye alone is much more than others have gone to for previous tutorials – perhaps a new bar for detail has been set for future tuts.
maciej’s understanding of facial shadows and highlights are commendable, but his knowledge of structure less much to be desired. there are several books available…
http://www.amazon.com/Artists-Complete-Guide-Facial-Expression/dp/0823016285
http://www.amazon.com/Facial-Expressions-Visual-Reference-Artists/dp/0823016714/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_b
that could help develop a better understanding. one thing stands out is the iris of the eye. the iris is actually concave, not convex. the lens is convex and deserves the spot highlight (catchlight) just above to the left of the pupil, but the iris’ shadow and highlight would be opposite to what you’ve shown.
all in all, i thank you, maciej, for the hard work and dedication you have brought to this community of tutorials.
peace and love
ande
ps: you guys can go to http://rummelx2.com and bash my drawing talent and work all you want.
Bryan It’s not bad – it’s important to have detailed tutorial, so You have smaller chances to get mistaken.
Yeah, but I don’t really like outcome this time..although technique is pretty unique.
it’s my first time writing here, although i’m visiting psdtuts regulary for more than a year now… this time, i was very interested in the comments, what would the people say to this, and I am realy disgusted. It’s not, because this is for free, it’s because it’s a humans work, threat it with respect! there have been just like 2 or 3 comments that were critisizing with some understandind giving tips etc. but most of people here never got the ideas of netiquette, sharing knowledge or humanity, to make it so quick,
good night from oslo
I don’t think that pointing to ‘abstract’ in the title explains the poor proportions – nowhere in the tutorial does it indicate that the face itself is intended to be heavily stylised or abstract, it seemed to me that the abstract aspect of it was the composition and concept.
I’ll definitely agree with everyone saying that it’s a very in depth and well constructed tutorial, but I really don’t think its a good idea for people who are new to drawing to look at this and think this is how you should draw a human face. Yes, this is a free tutorial but I have seen far better digital painting tutorials out there which are free.
you gotta be kidding me…
well…. it’s quite a discussion here!! wow!! i think is a WONDERFUL tut on the basics of DIGITAL PAINTING AND DRAWING… to hell if the final result is ugly, (it is horrible) who cares if there are no “proportions”???? (not at all) damn!!! learn the TECHNIQUES!!! for god sake!! i think most people here want some “inspirational” tut, like a beautiful face to copy exactly the same and upload the same thing on flickr pool!!!! tuts are not for copy, are INTENDED AS A LEARNING EXPERIENCE…. learn technique from this tut and put yourself the creativity i dare you…. all who say is ugly or not proportioned!! I DARE YOU to do a better final result, a beautiful proportioned face with the same techniques…. wattaboutit??? CAN YOU DO IT???? hmm… i don’t thnik so…. better wait for a beautiful tut to COPY….
Not half as good as your first tut. I would like to see some more advanced painting. Cuz this is just rock bottom basics
Sorry
Nice tutorial but I don’t like the final result. I like the way how you did it. It teachs me a lot how to draw.
I thought it was wonderful, some of the techniques were amazingly thought out and explained. This is a TUTORIAL guys, its the methods involved not the final work that is important.
Unless all the slaggers here often design sites that need strange floating heads, you have missed the entire point of the tutorial.
If the final piece is not any use to you, why not go and visit some clip art sites (right click and save) and go and use them in your ‘designs’.
To Chisa:
instead of criticizing everything and drawing simple cartoon a-like manga amaze us and provide your own digital painting tutorial so we can compare your and Maciej`s skills.
i like Maciej`s work – it`s abstarct for sure in Picasso style i would say but it stays in memory (those vivid eyes).
I have to say, This person spend DAYS if not more constructing this tutorial… And imho he deserves credit for that…
I think the final piece is up for debate, but “taste may vary”, heck so will the results….
But I do think this is a pretty good tut. well done.
Hiding behind subjectivity. ehhh
Very good tutorial for those who want to know basics of digital-drawing. I can not be be very realistic but it is very informative. Real art class.
Reallu nice tutorial,..
but for me, this out of my brain…
Need to upgrade my level in free hand drawing first
nice techniques
explendid results
this guy deserves a prize
ty very much
I like to see the passionate debate here on the site, both sides of the debate have raised valid points. Thx.
Whether you like like the artistic style of the final product or not this tutorial is most likely one of the highest quality tuts on the site. Photoshop is not the Alpha and Omega of design, in fact really it should be your blue print program for good design. Far to many people start and end in Photoshop, this gives us an onslaught of synthetic looking designs that are just askew of reality.
The fundamentals of drawing, sketching, painting, typography, and photography seem to be getting lost in today’s digital age. I am relatively new in my design studies at University however I’ve all ready started to notice how these core fundamentals are missing in modern designers tool kits.
Look at one of the modern masters in design Stefan Sagmeister, (I don’t like his final products) but the emotion that he evokes from the viewer as a DESIGNER not an artist is amazing. This is because he doesn’t stop when his comps are done in Photoshop, after this blue print is laid he goes out and actually constructs and photographs much of his final work. This is the reason why he is one of the most sought after designers today.
Smack78
He looks like Putin – Russian president haaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i’m poor in drawing….
and also this tutorial takes me a lifetime to do…
very bore…
Nice tutorial for being detailed and giving quick guides.
Bardzo fajnie Maciej ^_^
Grzes – I choose not to create drawing tutorials because I know that my skills aren’t developed enough to teach other people without them learning my bad habits. Although, as I’ve said a few times, Maciej’s tutorial and painting methods are well communicated, I think it should be made clearer that the face wasn’t intended to look realistic and is intentionally warped in terms of proportions and perspective it that’s what the intention was. I don’t think you necessarily have to be a better artist to realise that the method he has shown for drawing a face isn’t particularly correct.
So no, I won’t make a digital painting tutorial because the internet doesn’t need another inferior tutorial. But if you’re looking for one I can certainly point you in the right direction.
Ok, I do realize the name contains the word “abstract” but this “abstractness” shows in the mini tut, too, which I don’t find helpful in drawing faces. I do like the fact that this tutorial is detailed but I don’t like the style and the coloring.
And in this particular case I believe the author didn’t intend to reach abstractness through the head but rather through the cords coming out of the neck. This is why I’d say that to me the author lacks drawing skills.
I think that the proportions are out of whack for purpose. This is a very nice tutorial, one of the best in PSDtuts in my opinion. Really, really good job!
I too love this tutorial. One of the best on PSDTuts indeed. Thanks.
REALLY NICE TUT !
thank u so much for sharing !!
as soon as i saw this pic .. it was like holy ! it so hard to believe that he made it with pure photoshop ..
i’ve never seen like this tut before .. and i can say that .. here ..some of the worse comments i’ve ever seen .. they’re just a bunch of idiots …
To be honest. I hate this tutorial. Its nothing like ‘abstract’ and its not an excuse to use abstract, when you obviously need to pay a lot attention in drawing human body parts. Its not bad, we’ve all started somewhere, but im used to high class tutorials from this site, and this one definetly isnt one. Im sorry, thats my opinion. There are so many diffrent ways to paint and set up a face, this is a hard way for something that can be done easier. But well, at least you tried.
*Jelski
you are good..you suposed to be a president
I agree with Remuz, I dont know what this tut is doing here
i like it, i know i can do way better, but this is a great tut to understand and follow. if you don´t the end result just do one yourself and draw your face instead. simple as that.
great work man and keep it up!
good work, but that s not a tutorial to follow by all. this was imaginated by you and follow by you, not by all. this is called MODERN ART.
I don’t like to much the result, but I must say: is a lesson, doesn’t matter the result, and good lesson.
Lol, the outcome looks funny (in a positive way). Love it!
its very nice for me…….ts an artwork….thanx
it is called surrealism i think for those who doesnt know…..
its the way it meant to be drawn, don’t question the artist’s ability.
thank you for this! i love the end result – the fact that face looks like it does makes the picture very “dreamy”. nice tut!
The head looks a little weird but for a surrealist image is good ! I am new to digital painting so the tutorial was useful for me