brightness -100, contrast ~ +35 to make it gray overall

after that use a airbrush with dominant color to clean up artifacts.

use the burn and dodge tool. since it is a sensitive tool, use the opactiy ~10-30

why use burn and dodge tool? because this is a grayscale image... no need to work with colors, AND for efficiency. choose the dodge tool... and whenever you need to switch to burn tool, just hold ALT.

workflow... keep 2-3 layers of duplicates. top to work on. second as non-changed to merge with if you need to subtractive method (erasing certain areas) and a third for backup. after each succession of satisfactory changes. i merge down to the bottom original and duplicate it twice.

using the burn tool at ~15 we make some shadows, boy, thats doesnt look too good.

reduce the layer to 40% Opacity... dang. that looks much better. you have such foresight. call me cleo.

lets add highlights. remember... if you had it on burn. hold ALT to dodge. vice versa. again... hey that kinda looks crappy. BTW... check several times with the original by hiding your working layers... and check yourself and the shadows... and dont break yourself.

reduced the layer to ~35. looking pretty good

lets put in even more stronger highlights!

and reduce layer opacity...

again. but lets work on the lips. top layer... darken lip area. second layer is untouched. so erase where the lip is not, taking care to erase a little bit more where the lip ISNT so dark. meagan. you .... you look like a clown.

erased lips. you meagan. you. you look goth. are you sad?

reduce opacity of the layer, and add some highlights... i also added some shadows under chin. and around the eyelash area, and under the eye, and right nostril.

so .... lots of quick tweaks. you can see how this could go on for a couple hours. the more you work on it, the more realistic it becomes. since skin isnt smooth like an airbrush. this is when i start using some of the default adobe brushes call NATURAL BRUSHES 2. they come in size of 20 64 118. really nice. little gritty, but gives you that sketchy feel.

so next is hair. scrolll down for link.

does not exist yet.