In this easy but useful Photoshop tutorial I’m going to show you how to make a golden shiny skin effect.
Final Image Preview
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Resources
Step 1
Download and open photo in Photoshop. We start by changing background. Duplicate background layer with Ctrl+J. On duplicated layer go to Image > Adjustments > Levels and apply following settings:
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Desaturate layer by going to Image > Adjustments > Desaturate.
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Increase contrast by going to Image > Adjustments > Brightness/Contrast.
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Step 2
Duplicate again background layer and move it above all other layers. Go to Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur.
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Change layer blending mode to Linear Light.
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Select Eraser Tool. With a soft round brush clear all layer contents while leaving a little radiance on the girl’s face.
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Step 3
Duplicate again background layer and move it above all other layers. Change layer blending mode to Hard Light to make photo clearer.
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Select Eraser Tool and start cleaning again. This time leave girl’s hair and dress straps but remove background of the dress below the chest.
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Step 4
Duplicate again background layer and move it above all other layers. With Polygonal Lasso Tool select girl’s skin, then invert selection by using Select > Inverse. Press Delete to clear selected area.
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Remove selection by pressing Ctrl+D. Clear eyes and lips area still using Polygonal Lasso Tool.
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Finally use Eraser Tool with soft round brush to make edges of the fragments softer.
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Change layer blending mode to Hard Light.
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Step 5
Duplicate again background layer and move it above all other layers. With Polygonal Lasso Tool select girl’s skin, then invert selection by using Select > Inverse. Press Delete to clear selected area and we will have only skin on this layer. Apply Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur.
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Change layer blending mode to Multiply.
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Skin now looks smoother. We still need to strengthen shining a little.
Step 6
Duplicate current layer and move it above all other layers.
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Change layer blending mode to Screen on duplicated layer.
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Reduce opacity to 40% for this layer.
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Step 7
Create a new layer above all other layers. Change layer blending mode to Soft Light. Select Brush Tool (opacity between 10%-40%) with soft round brush, black color and being to darken the cheeks, neck and eyes area. Change foreground color to white and create a glare on her forhead, shoulder, tip of the nose, hair, clothes, etc. (opacity between 70%-100%).
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Duplicate current layer (Ctrl+J) to increase effect.
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Change layer blending mode to Overlay on duplicated layer.
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Reduce opacity to 30% for this layer.
Final Image
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