Step 1
Create a new transparent document at 850 by 650 pixels and a resolution of about 200px. With the Pen Tool (P) selected, sketch out the outline of the face (not the head entirely) of our character. Before tracing out the face, make sure "paths" is highlighted on the Pen Tool Preset right below the menu bar.
Step 2
Fill the shape with the colour #a49e6e and then name the layer if you wish, to "face." Use the Marquee Tool (M) to select the whole area of the face and push delete on your keyboard to delete the outline.
Step 3
In a new layer, use the Pen Tool to trace out the body of the possum. Note that, we'll not be drawing the body in full.
Step 4
Have the "face" layer unchecked so as to hide it when working with the layer below it. Fill the body withthe colour #7b5832. This layer will form the base for our fur coat.
Step 5
Now go to Filter > Noise > Add Noise and increase the noise amount to about 30%. Also keep Uniforn selected and monochromatic checked.
Step 6
Select the Smudge Tool (R) and set its brush size to between 27px to 39 px depending on the size of the area you're working on if you're zoomed in. The strength of the Smudge brush should be set at 45%.
Your Smudge brush must be a Spatter brush.On the Brushes Palette, have Smoothing unchecked.
Step 7
Starting from the head, apply the Smudge brush with short strokes.
Do endeavor not to make the flow of the fur go all in one direction. Our hairdressing skills might not be at par with that of Vidal Sassoons's (whatever happened to him?) but we do try. When done, go to Sharpen > Sharpen to sharpen once. See the result below:
Step 8
Select the Burn Tool (O) as a Spatter Brush, the Range as Midtones and its Exposure at 10%.
Using the Burn Tool, darken the edges of the head and certain levels of the body.
Step 9
Select the Dodge Tool (O) and set the parameters below:
Highlight the portions of the body most particularly in areas in between where burns were made. This would constitute something of bandings.
The resulting visual effects makes the fur look lush and glossy.
Step 10
Select a Soft Round Brush with its size set to 5 px, colour to #36282e and Opacity to 40%.
On the Brushes Palette settings, double click Shape Dynamics and enter the parameters below:
Step 11
Apply the brush over the fur coat in consonant with the direction they flow.
Also for a lighter shade, change the brush colour to #72582e. The changes might be just subtle but the little things does count.
Step 12
In a new layer, with the Pen Tool selected, draw both arms of the possum and fill with the colour #563f27.
This fill might be darker than the fur coat's but we'll of course darken in the course of this tutorial.
Step 13
Head on over to Filter > Noise > Add Noise and set the Noise Amount to 25% and have Monochromatic checked. Use the Burn Tool to darken the edges of the arms as well.
Step 14
A Smudge Brush with Strength at 15% should be used for the arms. We don't want the arms to be as hairy as the that of the fur coat. When halfway through the smudge, set the Smudge Mode from Normal to Darken. The result is depicted below.
Step 15
We'll be applying a various shades to the face in a new layer, "facepaint" right above the "face" layer.
Select the brush colour as #5c4f3f and its Opacity at 12%.
B. Brush colour #63441d and Brush Opacity 10%.
C. Brush colour #e0c98b. Paint over the brow area, cheeks and nose areas.
D. Brush colour #fdf3d9. Paint the top part brows and the cheek areas.
E. Brush colour #f5eeda. Painting sould be made within the face for highlighting.
Step 16
To clear the overlapping brush paintings on the face, click the "facepaint" layer while holding down the 'Alt' button to create a Clipping Mask. Select the the Blur Tool (R) with its size at 17 px and Strength reduced to 33% to blend.
Step 17
With the Pen Tool yet again, draw the eyes and fill.. Don't forget to clear the pen outline.
Step 18
For the "eyes" layer, apply a Gradient Overlay Layer Style. Edit the Gradient colours: 1. #949fb1 2. #a29f97 3. #ffffff.
Step 19
The Gradient Overlay Layer Style parameters:
Step 20
Name a new layer "pupils" and on the layer, draw two oblique shapes with the Ellipse Tool (U) amd fill with black. Add a white reflection of light with a Soft Round Brush to the pupils.
Step 21
Under the Pen Tool, select the Freeform Pen Tool to draw a rather tricky nose (for those with shaky hands).
But the Pen Tool can be use to accomplish the same feat only that with the Freeform Pen Tool you can add, delete and adjust anchor points on the shape. This ensures greater control and hence, smoother or rounded curves.
Step 22
Add a Gradient Overlay Layer Style to the "nose" layer. From the left, the Color Stops are:
1. #341302
2.#480c12
3. #b77363
4. #e7909e
5.#ffffff.
Step 23
Still on the nose, paint over its base and more particularly shape out a nostril with a black Soft Round brush with an opacity of 25%. Secondly, use the Blur Tool with a Strength of 45% for a blend and also add a Noise Amount of 5%.
Step 24
Select a Spatter Brush with an Opacity reduced to 25%. For the Brushes Palette, enter the parameters below:
