Sunshine
I created this image using SketchClub for the vector shapes, then Elasticam to make adjustments to the expression of the face, then SketchClub again to add the sun and its glow on the figure, then iColorama to tweak the contrast and create a border and add birds to the image.
I started with this photo
I imported the photo into SketchClub. I turned the opacity of the photo layer down so I could use it as a guide but still see what I was painting. (However, for these views I will show of my work, I show them with the photo layer opacity set to zero, so you can better see what I’ve painted.) I created a new layer and painted these shapes using the Vector tool and a pencil brush under the Brush tool. I selected the Eraser tool and chose a pen hatching brush to erase around the edges of the face to soften the edge, so it will look like a less abrupt transition to the hair I will paint later.
On a new layer below the face layer, I used the Vector tool to paint shapes for the chest and arms. I also used a pencil brush under Brush to paint various colored strokes along the edges of these shapes. I felt this would create a somewhat dynamic feel.
On a new layer below the arms/chest layer, I used the Vector tool to paint a shape for her blouse, choosing a shade of blue. On another new layer above the arms/chest layer but below the face layer. I used the Vector tool to paint these black squiggly shapes for her hair. I positioned the layer this way because I wanted the hair to be behind the head, but to be able to fall over the shoulders.
On my another new layer, below the black squiggly hair layer and the arms/chest layer, I used the Vector tool to paint a large brown shape for the mass of the hair.
On another new layer, above all these layers, I painted squiggly light brown highlights over the hair, using the Rake Horizontal brush.
On another new layer above all these layers, I used the Vector tool to paint shapes for the eyes and lips. Although I had already drawn black eyes on the face layer, I decided to put new eyes on her, starting with a gray shape for the eyeball, a somewhat smaller white shape over that for the brightest part of the eyeball, and a black shape over that for the iris.
On another new layer just under the layer I just painted, the one that has her lips, I painted a dark gray shape for the opening of her mouth.
Then, on the blank bottom-most layer, I used the Fill tool to fill the layer with a color, which becomes the background of the image. I turned off visibility of the photo layer, so no pixels from the photo are part my painting. I exported the image to my camera roll.
I opened the image in Elasticam and tweaked her eyebrow, mouth, and some of the longer black hair strands.
Still in Elasticam, I lengthened the bottom of her face. I exported the image to my camera roll. Elasticam is great for fixing those drawing errors you make in the painting apps.
I opened the image in SketchClub as a new file. On a new layer above the image layer, I used the Vector tool and a pencil tool under Brush to paint the sun.
On a new layer above the sun, I painted with a soft orange brush over the sun but leaving the middle the original yellow color, then I reduced the layer opacity. This gives a glowing feel to the sun. Next I created a new layer on top of the other layers, and painted with a large soft pale yellow brush over the entire painting, and reduced the opacity of this layer and changed its blending mode to Overlay (so that the yellow does not lighten or tint the figure). Then I created another layer and painted again with a soft pale yellow brush just over the left side of the image, leaving this layer in Normal mode, and reducing its opacity, so that the sun’s light appears to lighten the hair somewhat on the left side. I exported the image to my camera roll.
I opened the image in iColorama and in Brush/Paint I used a bird brush to add birds on the left side of the image. To get a single brush image like this, don't stroke, but gently and quickly tap with your finger, not your stylus. If too many birds appear, simply undo and try again.
I used Preset/Border preset 7 to make a border, setting blur to almost no blur, and using the maximum radius. Then I used Preset/Border preset 2 to add vignetting. I used a brush mask to keep the vignetting off of the central image.
Keeping the brush mask in place, I used one of the presets towards the end of the list in Adjust/Tonelab to lighten the central image.
I used Adjust/Exposure and an inverted brush mask to darken the opening of her mouth.
Finally, I used Adjust/Exposure and a brush mask to paint a soft shadow along the left side of her face and chest.
