In this lesson we will look at several techniques for creating a dramatic portrait in Adobe Photoshop. The tool will be actively used here. MixerBrush (Mixing brush) and retouching technique Dodge and Burn (Lightening and darkening), to emphasize the main details and get a dramatic effect.
To complete this lesson you will need a version AdobePhotoshop CC, since it was in it there were significant updates. We will use an adjustment layer. ColorLookup (Search for color), retouch the skin of the model, and also try out a new filter CameraRaw, which has become available since version CC. But anyway, if you have another version of the program installed, you will get a similar result.
The translation is made on the basis of a lesson posted on the YouTube video portal, so we will do everything to make you understandable and easy to perform.
Step 1
For starters, you need to separate the model from the background. For this, the author used the tool Pen 
(Pen)(P), for more accurate selection. After the model is fully highlighted, click the right mouse button and select MakeSelection (Make a selection). Radius (Feather) shading put – onepx. Then apply the layer mask to the selected model. If there are still some errors, you can remove them with a black brush on the layer mask.
To make the edges of the model look more neat, you can use the function RefineEdge (Refine Edge) with settings as in the screenshot.
Also, the author advises to pay attention to the remaining contour around the model. It can be darkened with LayerStyle (Layer style) InnerShadow (Inner shadow) with the settings specified in the screenshot.
Name the layer with the model “Model“.
Step 2
Now let’s open the background image (Ctrl +O), or just transfer the picture to the program. Blur the background with a filter GaussianBlur (Gaussian blur). Blur the background so that you can not see any details. The author used a filter with a radius 106.
Step 3
We proceed to the removal of defects on the face. Create a new layer (Ctrl + Shift + N). Call it fix. Apply it as ClippingMask (Clipping mask) to the model layer “Model“. Also, it is necessary to put a tick next to SampleallLayers (Sample from all layers).
Now, with the tool HealingBrushTool
(Spot Healing Brush), remove some defects on the face.
Next, create a new layer. (Ctrl + Shift + N) and call him soft. Apply it as a clipping mask to the layer. fix. With the help of tools MixerBrush 
(Mixing brush) with the settings specified in the screenshot, smooth the skin of the model. Also, do not forget to put a tick next to SampleallLayers (Sample from all layers).
The result, which should be:
Step 4
Create a new layer (Ctrl + Shift + N). Call it R. Let’s use the tool again. Pen (Feather) (P). In the settings, on the options panel above, instead of Path, put Shape. Thus, the new contour will be automatically filled with fill. Create a contour around the right (from us) lenses on the glasses. For ease of selection, it is recommended to slightly reduce Fill (Fill), this layer to 64%.
Now proceed to the selection of the second lens. Create a new layer. (Ctrl + Shift + N) and name it L. Also highlight the lens on the contour and slightly lower Opacity (Opacity) of this layer, up to 64%.(Note of translator) For a closer acquaintance with the tool Pen (Pen)(P) You can study this article https://https://photobecket.com/articles/tools_a/kak-rabotat-s-perom.html
Once everything is ready, go to the layer R and apply for it LayerStyle (Layer style) GradientOverlay (Gradient overlap) (or double-clicking the layer with the left mouse button) with the settings, as in the screenshot.
Use a gradient from # 2f2368 to #ffffff. The result that should be:
Now just move LayerStyle (Layer style) (while holding Alt) from the layer R on a layer L.
These should be the model points:
Create a group and drag both layers there. Name the group “Glasses“.
Now create an adjustment layer. Hue / Saturation (Hue / Saturation) and apply it as ClippingMask (Clipping mask) to a group with lenses.
Move the slider Hue (Color tone) to value -37.
Step 5
Now we need to create a small shadow from the glasses. To do this, create a new layer under the group. “Glasses“. Call it “GlassShadow“.
Next, with the key held down Ctrl, click on the layer L. Thus, a round selection will appear around the lens. Go to Select (Highlight) – Modify (Modification) – Expand (Expand). Expand radius set 5 px. Selection will become wider. Next, go Select (Highlight) – Inverse (Invert) (or right click on the selection and SelectInverse) (Alt + Ctrl + I). Now, with the tool Brush 
(Brush)(B) with Feather (Opacity) and Flow (Push) by 50% and low stiffness, leave a small shadow along the contour of the frame, leaving a shadow behind the glasses.
Then, do the same manipulation for the right rim.
If you have extra traces of shadow, just delete them using the tool. Eraser
(Eraser)(E).
If the shadow seems to be not realistic, i.e. too dark, you can apply a filter GaussianBlur (Gaussian blur).
Translator’s Note: to select a shadow, you can use any selection tool. The author used RectangularMarqueeTool (rectangular selection) (M)).
Blur radius leave in the area 3 px. Drag the final version to the group “Glasses“.
So, the result of the actions performed:
Step 6
Create a new adjustment layer. GradientFill (Gradient fill) on top of all layers. Gradient make from white to transparent.
Note author: The pink light falling on the model on the left is shown so that it can be better seen. Also, for this layer the blending mode was used. SoftLight (Soft light). Lower Opacity(Opacity) of this layer as long as the result does not begin to suit you.
Turn down Opacity (Opacity) of this layer to thirty% and change the blending mode to SoftLight (Soft light).
Step 7
Create a new adjustment layer. ColorLookup (Search color). In subsection 3DLutFile select EdgyAmber 3Dl. Decrease Opacity (Opacity) of this layer up to 15%.
Step 8
Create a new adjustment layer. Curves (Curves). Switch to the blue channel in this layer and pull up the lower point to toned the image in the shadows and highlights, thus adding the split toning effect, as in the screenshot.
And the top point.
The result, which should be
Step 9
Create the adjustment layer again. GradientFill (Gradient fill) with color from f6dfb2 To transparent with the settings, as in the screenshot.
Now move the gradient to the upper left corner, as in the screenshot:
Also, there is another alternative way.
Create a new layer. (Ctrl + Shift + N) with blend mode Screen (Screen). With the tool Brush (Brush)(B) with a large radius (3500-4000 px) and color 90856b, make one click in the upper left corner and with the tool FreeTransform (Free transform) (Ctrl + T) increase the resulting glow, as in the screenshot.
Name this layer “SoftGlow“. The result can be seen in the screenshot:
Step 10
Create a new adjustment layer. ColorBalance (Color balance) with settings as in the screenshot.
Step 11
Create a new layer.(Ctrl + Shift + N) on top of all layers. Go to Edit (Editing) – Fill (Fill). Leave all settings as they are and change the blend mode of this layer to Overlay (Overlap).
Use the tool DodgeTool
(Clarifier) (o) with Exposure (Exposure) 20% and slightly lighten the contours of the jacket’s lapels, folds on the sleeves, and light areas of the belt and trousers. It is also necessary to lighten the contour of the chin, light areas on the glasses, light areas of the lips, eyebrows, as well as light areas of the face, neck and hair (do not forget about the parting). As in the screenshot
And here is the result:
If suddenly you crawled tool DodgeTool (Clarifier)(O) on the background, then use a gray brush (# 808080) and paint over the extra clarified area.
Step 12
Merge all layers into one (Alt +Shift+Ctrl+E) and place this layer on top of all layers. Use filter CameraRaw. To do this, go to Filter(Filter) – CameraRAW and apply the settings as in the screenshot. More information about this filter can be in this article: http://photo-monster.ru/postobrabotka/rub/adobe-camera-raw/page/2
It turned out, pretty good result. I hope you gained a lot of knowledge during the lesson, and you liked the result.
