Split a Face in PaintShop Pro

Split a Face

View the video of this tutorial on youtube here: https://youtu.be/0uyNyhItTHs

In this tutorial we'll cover how to create the effect of splitting a face, or head for that matter, placing a gap in between.  As well, we'll play with some effects to produce both a cold frozen effect, and a glowing firey effect. 

Split the Face

For the firs step, duplicate the original image.  One layer will be the left side of the face, and other layer will be the other side of the face.

Next create a new vector layer, and use the Pen - Bezier Curve to draw the dividing line on the subject's face (watch this video to learn how to draw with the Pen tool).   Use markers on the image to keep the line in the center of his face.  Some markers to consider are the bridge of the nose, the divet in the upper lip, the adam's apple, etc.

You can do a course draw first, and then refine each point later.

After the vector graphic is created, use the Magic Wand to create a selection based on the shape of the vector object.  With that selection active, select one of the image layers.  Invert the selection and delete.  This should leave only the subject on the layer.

Now we can select the Move tool (four sided arrow), and move the cutout side of the face over about a nose-width.  You should have an image like the one shown below.

Now dragging the vector object layer in between the two image layers, the vector graphic can act as the material inside the subject's head.

Color the Inside

Next we need to color on that inner layer so that it blends into the scene better.  In the video I was playing around with creating a shell like effect with two colors, but ultimately I just used some low-hardness brushing.

First, create a new Raster Layer above the Vector object layer.

Then, with the Vector object layer selected, use the Magic Wand once again to create a selection from the vector graphic.  Now click back onto the new raster layer.  On this layer, you can now use a standard paintbrush to start painting in color, or shadow, whichever you decide to blend it into the scene. 

In terms of choosing color, I would wait till we've added the freeze effect so you can match the color of the inside with the freeze effect.

Add the Freeze Effect

To create the freeze effect on the left side of the face, the first step is to use the Effects > Artistic Effects > Colored Edges.  In the dialog, use the default values, but change the color to pure white.  This has the effect of "frosting" his hair and other parts of his face.

Next we are going to reduce the color intensity by reducing the Adjust > Hue and Saturation > Vibrancy.

Next we want to tint the face a color that is "cooler" in nature, so we'll use the Adjust > White Balance, and move the sliders to the cooler side.

Play with these settings until the subject has a nice icy look.

Add the Fire Effect

Now for the other half, to give it a glowing look, much of it is increasing the contrast.  I do a couple of contrast methods  (see a comprehensive guide on contrast here).  The first pass is using Adjust > Brightness and Contrast > Levels.  Pulling in the end sliders to the middle will have the effect of increasing the contrast.

Next I used the Adjust > White Balance to warm this side.

Finally I used another contrast method, by duplicating the image layer, and changing the blend layer to Overlay (view this video to learn more about Blend Layers).  This has the effect of increasing the contrast and saturation of the image.  Use the opacity slider to adjust the intensity of the effect.

Add the Flames

To add some framing to the image, let's add some flames.  I used some stock images of fire on black background.  This strategic because we can add them as a new layer, and change the Blend Layer to Screen.  Doing this removes black, and allows the flame to natural overlay onto the scene.

This is all that is needed for the yellow flame.  Now for the icy side we need a blue flame.

To do this, we take our orange flame, and duplicate the image.  Now we apply Image > Negative to that layer and we get a blue flame on a white background.  We now change this Blend Layer to Color (Legacy).  This has the effect of keeping the color of the top layer, and luminance of the bottom layer, thus a blue flame on a black background.  Perform a Merge Down on this layer to make the blue flame a single layer. 

Now we can apply a Blend Layer of Screen on this merged layer to blend this new flame into the scene.

Final Edits

The last step, and this is optional, was to add some vignette to the image.  To do this I use a material that is  Gradient fill with black fading to transparency.  I apply this in a circular format, and fill a new layer at the top.

In this case I only wanted to darken the bottom of the image where the flames were to reduce their intensity, so I used a box selection to remove the top half of the vignette.  Adjust the opacity of the vignette layer to get the level of attenuation you desire.

And that's it!