Scarlett Johansson step by step Part 3

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Now we are getting somewhere! Right? Oh God please tell me we are getting somewhere. I was really happy with the way this was turning out but now I’m all paranoid because you hesitated. Why are do artists have to be such paranoid crybabies?

Anyway I’m kinda happy with the way it’s coming along despite what you say. But still more details art needed to call this finished. It’s important though that you don’t overwork the piece. I suggest never trying to capture every little detail and nuance because it can be somewhat distracting for the viewer. Plus there is a good chance it will drive you insane. Trust me. I know.

Remember your primary job as an artist is to convey your point in the most striking way possible. The point to this piece (yes it has one) is the way the light strikes her body. As a result I really want to focus my details there. I don’t want to get caught up in detailing the background because that would only take away from the halo effect the light is causing in her hair.

I also want to make the piece warmer in color so I create a new layer, set it to multiply, and go over it with a warm red. The mulitply layer basically acts as a light wash, preserving your values but pushing the hues. I try and approach the digital medium in the same way that I do with traditional. I work in layers then flatten the image so at any given point I only have at most 3 working layers. Never get caught up in having 14 layers with tiny adjustments here and there. It’s just stupid to do that. You kill your confidence because you are not standing by any decisions you make and it will show in you work. Working in mulitple layers is like never taking off your training wheels.