Whether it's for a friend, family member, or client, retouching images is very common these days. In this tutorial, I will lay down the basics of retouching and take you through the entire process, layer by layer.
Sadly, I spent my money made from tutorials on 'Long Island Iced Tea cocktails' and therefore I am forced, yet again, to live in a box with a broadband connection and a computer. Therefore, I would like to thank Jean Scheijen for providing me with this beautiful free stock image. Free stock images, I love 'em!
Here's a before and after (just roll over the image to see the before):
Lastly, before we begin with the actual tutorial, I would like to show you my layer structure. For me, this setup works great. With this setup, I can navigate quickly through my layers and cut down on my work time. All of the layers will be discussed in the tutorial, so don't worry if the scheme confuses you at the moment.
Step 1
We begin by duplicating the original layer, and with a combination of the Clone Stamp (S) Tool and the Healing Brush (J) Tool, try to remove all spots and blotches that we can find. In essence, we smooth out the skin this way and prepare it for the brushing. It is very important to use a soft brush when working like this, so that the end result blends better with the surrounding skin. If an area is hard to tackle, use the Clone Stamp Tool first and then blend the treated area with the healing brush.
Step 2
Symmetry is naturally attractive to human beings, and there are certain 'lines' that run across the face that when these are symmetrical, the subject seems to be more attractive to the eye. So let's give our subject a little plastic surgery. Duplicate the layer, and using the Forward Warp Tool found in the liquefy gallery (Filter > Liquefy... or Shift+Ctrl+X), raise the area around the eyebrow just a little.
Step 3
Right now, we've come to the point where we can fiddle a bit with contrast, enhancing it further as we go. Let's use a modification of a well-known technique called the 'Angel face' technique...at least, that is what I always call it. Again, duplicate your layer and then go to Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur and give this layer about a 8-10px blur. After this we set this layer to 'Soft Light'. Since we do not want this effect to be visible everywhere, I added a Layer Mask and filled that with black, concealing the effect. Then I took a big white, soft, round brush set to around 30-50% Opacity and started brushing around the nose, cheeks, eyes, and hair to enhance their color. This effect can do miracles for blond hair since it can transform it from a dull yellow-ish color to a vibrant gold color.
Step 4
Now we're going to focus on the actual airbrushing. This is a delicate process that requires a certain amount of patience and experience. Depending on your wishes or your client's wishes you will have to decide how much airbrushing you want to apply. For instance, models in magazines and especially adult magazines are usually heavily airbrushed since they have to look 'perfect'. On the other hand there are cases where you might just want to tweak the face by removing a few wrinkles or smoothing out the skin in a few places. For this reason, when I do the airbrushing, I generally do it over a few layers which gives me the option to switch layers on and off depending on how much texture I want to preserve in the end. On this image, I did the major airbrushing in two layers and merged them afterwards.
The trick is to use a low opacity (between 10 and 20 percent) soft brush. The color we pick comes from the image itself. When we pick the color, set the sample size of the Eyedropper Tool (I) to 51 by 51 pixels. If I remember correctly, this feature has only been available since CS2, so if you are using a version before that you will sample the color from a single pixel. Try to select an area where the skin is more or less smooth or set a flesh tone manually. Brush over an area multiple times and watch it become smoother.
The change is significant, especially around the nose area, and it is even more noticeable when the image is viewed on a much larger scale.
Step 5
After the airbrushing, let's tweak the lips and the eyes. The lips have been slightly saturated using the same technique as in step 4, just pick a color from the lips instead. Then make a selection around the eyes and use 'Layer via Copy' (Ctrl+J), which can be found under Layer > New > Layer via Copy, to copy the selected part onto a new layer. Make sure this layer is on top at the moment. On the new layer, use the Dodge Tool with the settings shown below to lighten the iris.
Step 6
This is the final step before we apply our adjustment layers and bring this piece to life. In this step, we're going to focus on the eyes a bit more, since these are very important in any portrait photograph.
1. Using a low opacity (15-20 percent) black brush, we enhance the make-up around the eyes. Don't worry if the change seems small, it will pop as soon as we add those adjustment layers.
2. With the same technique as used in step 4, get rid of those wrinkles around the eyes. Yes, we all have them or we are going to have them, and yes, we all seem to hate them.
3. Finally, let's desaturate the sclera (the white part of the eye). There are several ways to do this, but I believe that the easiest is simply to create a layer, select a white brush, and go around the white bit of the eye and set the mode of the layer to color. It's quick, easy and gets the job done nicely.
Step 7
Time for the grand finale. This is the part where we make our picture stand out using the adjustment layers shown below. The adjustment might seem tiny but they make that crucial difference:
The levels and curves layers add contrast to the image as a whole and enrich the colors.
The brightness/contrast adjustment layer makes the make-up around the eyes and the lips pop out. As you can see, there's a mask applied to the layer. It is entirely black (therefore hiding the effect) except for the area around the eyes and the lips.
The lip hue/saturation adjustment layer adds a vibrant pink color to the lips. Again a mask is applied to limit the effect strictly to the inner area of the lips.
And finally, another hue/saturation adjustment layer to slightly remove the warm shade from the face.
And well, did all of this make a difference? You decide:
Conclusion
Well there you go, a complete overhaul. Oh, and just in case there's this voice in your head saying 'Well, she looks too fake,' send the image around to some friends and ask if they think that to. When you actually see the process take place, the person seems to look fake afterwards because you know what is wrong, but when you show the image to someone who doesn't know it's a Photoshopped image, you will get a completely different response. Download the PSD to see the larger image and you will appreciate the work even more (available via Plus Membership).
Have fun!
Related Posts
Keep reading with more great tutorials and articles!
Enjoy this Post?
We'd love your vote!
Plus Members
Source Files, Bonus Tutorials and
More for $9 a month for all TUTS+
sites in one subscription.
User Comments
( ADD YOURS )Peter March 5th
Great totorial! I love it. It’s so simple and it’s free.:D
( )Oosband March 5th
Great tutorial, the outcome is amazing.
( )Pieter V March 5th
Great tutorial ! Good work
( )Dain March 5th
Good tut. A lot of steps.
( )Migu March 5th
WOW!
Great tutorial!
Always wanted to know how to do such things…
A very good tutorial.
( )You have explained every step very well and carefully and with lots of images: GREAT!
Cain March 5th
Wow! Before and after rollover is just amazing. Nice work!
( )Mikey March 5th
great tut
( )Paulo Sales March 5th
great…
( )therapix March 5th
Nice dude.
( )Ben March 5th
Nice, I’m gonna have to try all this – last time it was just blurring and cloning all over the place!
( )Robin March 5th
Congratulations on a great retouch and tutorial Arik. Thanks for sharing. The only part I have a slight issue with (at least on my monitor) is there is the area on her lower cheek with a boomerang shaped highlight on the skin. It was there in the original pic, but when the shadows under the nose and surrounding area were softened and essentially removed, this part was not taken down as well and seems to create a slight bit unnatural structure. I think that specific highlight was taken down ever so slightly it would do the trick.
( )Jessica March 5th
very UNPROFESSIONAL. ): I’m so disappointed in this site.
RetouchPRO.com!
http://dgrin.smugmug.com/How-To/143180!
( )Arnaud March 5th
Good.
( )Chris March 5th
You guys consistently have the best quality tutorials that produce AMAZING results and are very easy to understand. I really love your visual approach to teaching the lessons. I wish the best success in your effort to sell some of your tutorials via subscription. You guys have earned it! You’ve made some really GREAT tutorials so far! Keep it up, please(What would I do without your great lessons?)
( )Ignacio March 5th
I like the girl before the touching thing.
( )bweb March 5th
Useful and for free
( )Shane March 5th
Another interesting tutorial that does the business. Many thanks for posting
( )Markus March 5th
Love it! You always make, greats photo effects tutorial
( )Pitrih March 5th
looks too fake when retouched
( )Alberto March 6th
Jessica, thank you for the link, btw I think the ending result is good, and what’s written in the conclusion chapter is totally right: retouched photos always look a little fake and blurred, in my opinion.
)
( )Occasionally I took part to some photo shootings where I work, and if you look at the starting pics it seems a different person or maybe the mother / grandmother of the model in the final adv!
Obviously it depends on your final target, but for adv shots, gradient-faked-skin is a thing to get used to, imho!
BogDinamita March 6th
really cool thank you so much man this dropped in right on time, I promise
( )BogDinamita March 6th
one thing I’m not so sure about in this specific pic you chose is the area around her lips. I think it’s a bit too blurry, not exagerated or anything I’m just saying. But definetely great stuff Arik and thanks again
( )Tracy March 6th
Great tutorial. Thanks!
( )Josh March 6th
Great tutorial! IMO these type of facial touch ups are more appealing than the gradient/glow types featured in fashion photography. I know that both have their place in the world, but this seems a little more “natural” when compared to the other types. Thanks Arik! The detail in your tutorial is very appreciated.
( )Colin Stein March 6th
that was damn extreme!
very very nice
( )sct March 6th
Awesome tutorial! Thank you!
( )Kane March 6th
Strange!! She looks like my mother’s friend, who has a crush on me
lol
( )Apart from that fact, great tutorial, and love the eye-lift
Hazel March 6th
Great tutorial… so, with this tutorial anyone can be beautiful, hehehe
Thanks for this great site… keep it on
Hug
Hazel (S̩rgio РPortugal)
( )Iris March 6th
Oooh, great, i’ve been looking for this!! I learned photo retouching from some unprofessional tutorial, but this is so much better, thanks a lot!
( )frascella March 7th
dude you’re a fucking beast
( )Jamlong (Chiangrai - Thailand) March 7th
Super Super great, Nice, I’m gonna have to try all this retouched step. Thank a lot.
( )Mark Abucayon March 9th
Perfect, 100% recommended, I have nothing to say but excellent
( )KMK March 9th
Excellent Work!
( )I satisfied & thanks.
krishnamoorthy manickam March 12th
Really superb….
( )Bendikt Myklebust March 13th
The saturation level of your re-touch is off. It gives the look of lens-burnig.. decresing the contrast level and using Photoshops level tool might do the trick. overall you over-did the contrast on her skin and hair tone.
( )marco March 17th
this is really a great tut
( )BongoBox March 20th
uh… not a fan of this tutorial.
Her eye looks kind of strange after the work, and in general, I prefer the real, splotchy look to the “perfect” look.
Sorry… just my two cents.
( )But solid tips otherwise.
Abhisek March 21st
Great!
( )Meta March 26th
Absolutely brilliant. I have looked at so many crappy retouching tutorials that tweak a little bit of the colour and say ‘It’s just THAT simple’ which is why they all look THAT rubbish. But this is stunning. Thank you!
( )bob April 2nd
it looks da same hah
( )raaz man April 2nd
great stuff man!!!
( )candy April 4th
so detail tutorial..thanks for sharing..
( )Thanh April 11th
It would be better if ypu retouch her shoulder too
( )Paar April 16th
Decent intermediate level tutorial for a retouch. Much better than a great deal of so-called tuts out there
( )that simply add a blur. You over touched this though but a good attempt nonetheless. For many this will be
fine but I wouldn’t add this technique in a professional repertoire. Good luck with future projects!
PraP April 16th
Like this. Thanks.
( )One April 17th
What is with all the people saying they like the original better? Why would you go to a photo retouching tutorial to say you like real untouched pictures more? Why bother even going to this tutorial? Let alone commenting on it. You like the natural look and don’t think photos should be retouched because it makes them look “fake”? THEN LEAVE THE PHOTO RETOUCHING TUTORIAL! Not rocket science guys.
And to bob who said it looks the same he obviously didn’t mouse over he just scrolled down and left his idiotic comment.
Anyways, thanks for the tips, very well done. I don’t think you overdid it like some claim they just want to talk like ‘know-it-alls’. The point was a noticeable change and by learning these steps you can tone it down to whatever level you feel is appropriate for your particular project. VERY nice tutorial thank you.
( )Tanie Projektowanie April 21st
looks easy, i must try it, thx!
( )purplegirl April 23rd
Loved it!!! Thanks so much
( )Sachie May 8th
THIS IS THE BEST.
( )Akash May 17th
That’s good man how r u made like this
( )any magic,
Corrine June 3rd
I think this is a great tutorial. The skin looks more natural than most other tutorials i have tried. I am not a big fan of airbrushing myself because i dont feel it portrays the “real” person as they are but as a professional photographer i realize this is a growing trend and more and more people request and prefer it. Everyone wants to look flawless and beautiful. even when i dont like something myself I realize that its the customers that need to be pleased and happy when the job is done. thank you for this tutororial. I will def try it out on my next assignment. To me its all about how it prints…not how it looks on the computer monitor. I have tried a lot of tutorials that made the skin look smooth but when printed they looked “plastic” def not natural. I am hoping this one does the trick and just evens out and smooths their skin without the appearance that they are fake. thanks again!
( )Vinit Kulkarni June 4th
Great Tut. but should b more descriptive. !
( )Jesse June 11th
hey i love this website
( )gerri July 17th
omg. i thought she looks like holly v. or heidi klum!! O__O
( )VENTIZCA July 23rd
HY THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP THIS TUTORIAL IS VERY GREAT, YOU ARE REALLY SKILLED AT THIS. THANKS FOR SHARE IT.
( )vince August 28th
oh wow… very nice… i loved it…
( )Steve December 4th
very helpful, thanks a lot.
Would be great if step 7 (adjustment layers) could be explained a bit more.
( )somesh January 26th
not clear 4 new user
( )praval February 15th
nice thnks
( )Lon March 6th
Interesting and educational tutorial. But in my personal opinion, I’m not wowed with the results. Here is another tutorial with similar workflow, but much more natural looking results:
http://zoffie.deviantart.com/art/Photoshop-Beauty-Tutorial-57426750
( )tyrande101 March 7th
So great, I’ve finished it and it’s so beautiful
( )NerdScarf June 8th
I love this tut, but Step 7 is confusing. I cant figure out how to isolate the effects.
( )tronda June 9th
You left the hickey in the photo! haha Good tut tho keep em coming!
( )Marina June 12th
Hello!
( )My name is Marina!
I do brasil! speak Portuguese and English!
And I have sought much photoshop on the internet for download here on my computer!
Two q I found here so far this was the best!
Although not neglecting more how to download it!
Also like to know if it is free?
Thanks …
Yash June 24th
WOW ! nice lesson i had come to know new techniques… thnks
( )Ellvad June 26th
Great tutorial!
( )Landscape Photography July 15th
Some nice techniques outlined.
I agree with a few other users that the final image is too saturated/burned in looking. On my monitor she looks a little too red, which seems to make the outcome look overdone, detracting from the natural skin tones. But thanks for the techniques.
( )joseph August 1st
great tutorial very nice
( )ruchi arora August 9th
superb hands whoever u r such a great man .
( )i ill learn llot from ur teacahings thnxx to teach us all like dis who cant afford to pay fee in such institutes
may god bless u
keep teache like dis my wishes r wid u
j_marreros September 1st
Good Job, thanks a lot
( )abhi October 1st
great tutorial
( )abhi October 1st
great job
( )neo October 23rd
good thank you
( )s November 2nd
blah
( )chandi.narsimhulu November 10th
nice .very nice. i will be trying this .thank u for urs tutorials.
( )