Turn a Photo into a Painting :D

Step 1: Smart Blur
Duplicate image layer and rename it something like blurred image
Go to Filter > Blur > Smart Blur. Set the Radius to 10-15 and Threshold to 25-30.
(a lot of this is personal preference)


Step 2: Glowing Edges
Duplicate the layer again. Rename the new layer. Drag the new layer to be above blur layer.

Filter > Stylize > Glowing Edges. Set the Edge Width to 1-3, Edge Brightness to 12-14, Smoothness to 15.

Image > Adjustments > Invert. Then follow by Image > Adjustments > Desaturate.
ctr i and ctr u for shortcuts



Set the new layer to Multiply
Set the Opacity of this layer to 75-90, whatever looks right to you.

Step 3 : Color dodge layer
Duplicate the blur layer. Rename this new layer.

Select this layer and go to Image > Adjustments > Invert (ctr i)

Set the layer to Color Dodge.



Step 4 - Paint over

aget a chalky looking brush and paint on the color dodge layer going along with the form of the painting. A low opacity like 5-20% is nice for this.

follow it up with a wet brush paintover