Braids

To make this painting, I used only the vector tool in SketchClub to paint the face from a photo. Then I used iColorama and Metabrush for color and texture, which really give life to the image.

I painted this in SketchClub using only the vector tool. You can see how I did it in this tutorial.

I opened the image in MetaBrush. On a duplicate layer, I used Brush/Paint to paint brown and yellow strands in her hair with the Rough 4/12 brush and to dab freckles on her face with the INKC 8/26 brush.

In MetaBrush, on another duplicate layer, I used Brushes/Tex2 and some of the Wets tools.

Still in Metabrush, I reduced the opacity of the top layer.

I opened the image in iColorama. I used Adjust/EQ to punch up the color and for tonal separation.

I opened the image in MetaBrush. On a duplicate layer, I used Brush/Paint with the INKC 8/26 brush to dab dots on her dress, at different sizes and opacities.

I opened the image in iColorama and used Preset/Colors9 to improve the color. I used Effect/Raise to emphasize the texture.

I used Adjust/Vibrance and an inverted brush mask to redden the lips. I used Preset/Border preset 7 to add a border.

I used Form/Warp and the Elasticam app to change the size and shape of her face.

I opened the image in SketchClub. I used the Particles brush under the Procedural tool to draw loose strands of hair. I modified the settings for the particles brush so the strokes would not be as smooth.

For another version, I opened the image in iColorama and blended the original SketchClub image onto it, using a brush mask to paint away some of the discrepancies that arose because the two faces were no longer the same size and shape. As a result, I got some of the freckle color back, I got the smooth teeth back, and I also created some doubling of the lines and edges.

I used Effect/Light to emphasize the highlights. I used Adjust/Levels to add contrast.

I used Brush/Paint to clean up her teeth, Adjust/Exposure with an inverted brush mask to darken the shadow in her mouth, Preset/Color9 and Adjust/Tonelab Preset 3 to optimize the color.