Can anyone help me reverse engineer this Photoshop/Procreate edit? I think it uses Difference blending mode but I'm stuck.
Hi everyone.
I've been trying to recreate this edit for the last three days because I really love this style and want to understand how it was made.
The original artist said they "used blending modes like Difference on Procreate", but I don't think it's only Difference.
Here's what I've figured out so far:
- I stacked multiple portraits.
- I used Difference blending mode.
- I duplicated layers and tried Screen/Overlay.
- I used layer masks to isolate the subject.
- I experimented with Gradient Maps.
The biggest thing I can't figure out is the hair and the composition among the layers :C
In the reference image, the front hair remains visible, but it becomes semi-transparent where it overlaps the profile. It keeps its texture while letting the profile underneath show through, almost like smoke. I can't understand whether that's done with masks, another blending mode, Blend If, opacity, or something else.
I've attached both the reference and my current attempt.
I'd really appreciate it if someone could explain how you think this image was constructed layer by layer, rather than just telling me what filters to use.
Thank you!
