The Cheat Code to ALWAYS Get Perfect Skin Tones! - Photoshop

PiXimperfect・2 minutes read

Duplicate the background layer and create an "averaging" layer to sample skin tones, then match the colors with provided references using curves adjustments and gradient maps for a seamless blend. The process includes selecting midtones with the lasso tool, adjusting RGB values, and refining adjustments for shadows and highlights, along with using the "Retouch for Me" plugin for batch processing blemish removal and thanking supporters on Patreon for free content.

Insights

  • Creating accurate skin tones in Photoshop involves duplicating the background layer, sampling midtones, and adjusting colors with solid color and curves adjustment layers, ensuring uniformity across shadows, midtones, and highlights.
  • Advanced techniques like using gradient maps and precise curve adjustments can further refine skin tones, with additional tools like the "Retouch for Me" plugin aiding in blemish removal and batch processing, emphasizing the importance of references and thanking supporters for free content.

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Recent questions

  • How do you create uniform skin tones in Photoshop?

    By duplicating the background layer, creating an "averaging" layer to sample skin tones, selecting midtones with the lasso tool, finding the average color with the PL average filter, matching colors with solid color and curves adjustment layers, and repeating the process for shadow and highlight areas.

  • What is the purpose of the "averaging" layer in Photoshop?

    The "averaging" layer is created to determine which areas of the skin to sample from when working on achieving uniform skin tones in Photoshop.

  • How can you adjust the RGB values of a sampled color in Photoshop?

    You can adjust the RGB values of a sampled color in Photoshop by creating a curves adjustment layer and modifying the curves to fine-tune the color to match the desired skin tone references.

  • What additional adjustments can be made to enhance skin tones in Photoshop?

    In addition to matching colors and adjusting RGB values, you can further enhance skin tones in Photoshop by using gradient maps to ensure a perfect blend and create a more polished look.

  • What is the key step in creating uniform skin tones in Photoshop?

    The key step in creating uniform skin tones in Photoshop is to sample midtones on the cheek, match colors using curves adjustment layers, and potentially adjust highlights, shadows, and use gradient maps if needed to achieve a seamless and natural look.

Related videos

Summary

00:00

Creating Uniform Skin Tones in Photoshop

  • The process involves duplicating the background layer in Photoshop by pressing control or command J.
  • A layer named "averaging" is created to determine which areas of the skin to sample from.
  • References of skin tones are crucial for creating good skin tones, with a sample of standard skin tones provided.
  • The midtones of the skin are selected using the lasso tool for sampling.
  • The average color of the selected area is found using the filter PL average.
  • A solid color adjustment layer is created to match the sampled color with the provided skin tone references.
  • A curves adjustment layer is then created to adjust the RGB values of the sampled color.
  • The process is repeated for shadow and highlight areas to ensure uniform skin tones.
  • The blending mode of the curves adjustment layer can be changed to color to only affect the color.
  • Additional adjustments can be made using gradient maps to further enhance skin tones, ensuring a perfect blend.

13:20

Skin tone enhancement and blemish removal tutorial.

  • Adjust curves by double-clicking on the right side of the L and moving the slider of the underlying layer from left to right, then hold ALT or Option key to refine the adjustment, creating a merged layer with Control + Alt + Shift + E or Command + Option + Shift + E, and use the "Retouch for Me" plugin for blemish removal and other retouching tasks, which can be batch processed.
  • Enhance skin tones by creating a reference, sampling midtones on the cheek, matching colors using curves, and potentially adjusting highlights, shadows, and using gradient maps if needed, ensuring to subscribe for more tutorials and thanking supporters on Patreon for keeping the content free.
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