Portraits, with skin retouching and editing, like the one above are beautiful all on their own. Taking this image a step further by adding “texture” to it, creates a new dimension and gives it an artistic feel. Let’s look at how it’s done!

Below are the two different images (shown as a normal image) that were placed one on top of the other, over the image. They are applied in Photoshop® as “layers” and their opacity is adjusted in different ways to produce different results.

The two textures were “masked” or hidden from the subject’s face and skin. Adding cracks, spots, or wrinkles to skin is not flattering! The images used as textures vary from sand, bricks, patterns, clouds, and paper, to ink splatters and more. There isn’t a right or wrong way in the technique or images used. Often times it experimental. So the textures are changed in color and opacity to reveal the original image in whole or part. This leaves the creativity open to infinite artistic impressions. Sometimes the results are expected or the experimentation produces results that are totally unexpected.

Here is the final image with the two textures applied which produced a slightly more interesting image. Just as beautiful as the first–just different. This example allows the textures to show in the lighter areas of the image.

Until next time, enjoy!