Pretty girl. You retained the beauty side of it all which is often the trick. Effective use of the tools. Good one!
I have no qualms resurfacing a photo. I saw people doing it as illustrators most effectively incorporating photography with painting thereby creating a new surreal or fantasy image that had photographic qualities. It's a very useful approach to visit one end of the spectrum, wherein you can keep with that method, or as I assume from what you said, you can relax it away from the photo slowly until you find the painterly place that suits you most.
Some people keep it photographic. All a matter of what the artist wants. In art school we had assignments where we copied photos in great detail and I think it was important. The instructors showed mid-century artists who made fame and fortune from doing just that. I always enjoyed those paintings. And who doesn't love a good technical job.
Last edited by D Akey; 03-26-2018 at 05:49 AM.
"Not a bit is wasted and the best is yet to come. . ." -- remembered from a dream