Request for a tutorial

[Snowflake]

Hello everyone.
Well I don't know if this is the place to ask for it but here goes. I would really appreciate it if someone could make a tutorial for me, either video or written, I am fine with both. I am new with using Photoshop, about 4 months now, but I have friends asking me to do things for them left and right. The majority of things that I have learned, I have taught myself, but I am familiar with most of the tools, and majority of the filters and such. I use CS5. Recently, a friend of mine who uses one of these 3D chat programs, asked me to edit a picture for her. She thinks I'm some sort of genius. She gave me some reference pictures, but I don't know if I'm allowed to post hyperlinks on here, since I barely made this account and need to read some rules. The best way I can describe what she wants is to take this 2D image of an avatar, and make it look 3D, not pixelated, and somewhat human. From the reference picture she showed me, this would also include some speed painting, tons of layering, and shadowing. I know this is a lot to ask, I just don't know where to start. I mean I like a challenge, but at the same time, I believe this might use some techniques I have not yet mastered. If someone will let me know whether I am allowed to post links or not, it might be easier to understand what I am talking about. I would much appreciate any help I can get.

[Snowflake]

After reading the rules I saw I can post some pictures, so here are the before and after. The finished product is watermarked, but I think it gets the point across even with it. Please just let me know if it can be done, or does the whole thing have to be drawn from scratch.

[sprucemagoo1]

I'm sorry but I'm rubbish at tutorials, but what I will say is, the devil is in the detail. I don't know if you have seen the speed drawing s of portraits on youtube, they only start looking life like when imperfections are added, like shadows, highlights, spots, skin texture and wrinkles. I'd say one of the hardest things to make look reel is the hair, but it will come with practice. Good luck

[$1r_M4x1mu$]

she wants is to take this 2D image of an avatar, and make it look 3D, not pixelated, and somewhat human.

Hi Snowflake

I'm not really sure, what you need to accomplish, if is a digital paint from a picture, a vector drawing, or a 3d model from a 2d image?

Can you please be a bit more specific, so we can give you some suggestions or perhaps some links to tutorials in this matter.

[Snowflake]

From the reference pictures she gave me I would say it's more on the digital painting side of things. I mean if you look at the finished product, the character has depth, and curves, and the material as well looks much more detailed, flowing and realistic. I think the finished product was completely digitally redrawn from scratch using a picture as reference, than using an image and editing it. Does that make somewhat more sense?

[Paul]

Theres some great ones HERE