Watching TV

I made this image of my nieces and nephews using a photo taken by my mother that I then repainted in Sketches Pro and then edited in iColorama.

I started with this photo that my Mom took of my her grandchildren watching TV.

I opened the photo in Sketches Pro on a new layer in Normal blend mode, over a blank white layer. I reduced the layer opacity to around 50% or less, so I could still see the photo but would be able to see what I will be drawing. Then I created another new layer above the photo layer, in Normal blend mode, and I and drew some outlines with a black pen. Because the photo layer is over a white layer, I can lower the opacity of the photo layer when I want to see more of my sketch/painting, and I can raise the opacity of the photo layer when I need to see it so I can trace lines.

I added another new layer in Multiply blending mode, and I used a watercolor brush to paint in the colors.

Then I added another new layer in Normal blending mode, and I used a white crayon to paint catchlights onto the eyes. I saved to my camera roll.

I opened the image in iColorama and applied Adjust/Tonelab preset 4 at low opacity for a bit of depth.

Because the catchlights seemed to have gotten lost, I used Brush/Paint and a small white brush at around 75% opacity to paint them back into the eyes.

I used a couple of presets in Tone/Enhance at low opacity to modify the color.

I applied one of the Style/Water presets at medium opacity to soften the image.

I used Effect/Raise at low opacity to sharpen the lines.

I used Style/Tensor at low opacity to further soften the image, using a brush mask to protect some of the details, particularly in the faces.

As a final touch, I applied Adjust/Vibrance to deepen the pinks and reds, and used an inverted brush mask to paint in the effect in only the few places I wanted it, mostly on the cheeks and ears and hands.