I start to paint over the sketch layer in this step. I open a new layer at the top and start to paint over the lines and add details. You can also zoom in at this stage. Also, it’s totally up to you that how much time you are going to spend on your image. You can paint it to the final detail or finish it just in 3-4 hours like me. It’s a matter of choice and style in the end. I use several different brushes, but generally textured brushes in Photoshop as I can put more detail and richness into my image in a very short time this way (Fig.04).

I’m almost done. I save the file and open it in Painter (yes, I use both software packages and go back and forth). I’ll paint some of the soft passes on the image in Painter, such as the drapery and the details on the face. I’m more accustomed to creating these in Painter - it somehow feels softer than PS - but ultimately you can paint in either. I use several brushes, like acrylic and oil, and I also use the “Glow tool” to brighten the halo at the top of the alien’s head (Fig.05).

Now I save the .psd file again and open it in PS. It’s time to “polish” the painting. I’ll make some adjustments on the image, such as the colour balance, brightness, contrast and saturation. I open some “Adjustment Layers” and apply these steps; changing some colours, decreasing the saturation and darkening the image a little. As a final step, I open a new layer and apply some textures on top of the image to provide more richness. I set the layer properties to ‘Multiply’ or ‘Overlay’, and absorb them. You can observe the 3 light sources in this phase; the main light source and the secondary light source (Fig.06).

If you want to create eye-catching images, you need to pay attention to the harmony of light and shadow and understanding colour theory is key to your painting. I hope this is a useful tutorial for you.

Take care.