pen tool & tracing

For today's self portrait we'll be using the pen tool & eyedropper. Both tools offer more control & precision, and will allow you to have a solidly rendered portrait.

Go to File-Place and drop in your photo - remember not to "link" the photo! Lock Layer 1 and dim image to 70% create a new layer and then begin drawing on Layer 2. Now you can hide Layer 1 from time to time to see how your drawing is turning out.

Use the eyedropper to select colors for skin & hair tones, but limit the amount of color/value you use. I typically use only 5 per area, just to keep things consistent - if you select with the eyedropper from the photo you'll keep grabbing different pixels & different shades - it can get weird in a hurry.

Tools we used:

pen

add & delete anchor points

eyedropper

layers

create new

lock

hide/view

dim image to x%

Tomorrow we'll work on a 2nd variation of the portrait, either with a new photo, or by adding new elements to the first drawing you made. We'll avoid a strict naturalistic rendering in favor of an art image that's more descriptive of you and what you are - your alter ego.