Retouching Academy Retouching Jumpstart Tutorial

Jumpstart your retouching journey with this in-depth practical course tailored to true beginners, aspiring retouchers, working photographers, makeup artists, or anyone looking to upgrade their online presence in the beauty, fashion or wellness industries.

Learn the nuts and bolts of retouching using a non-destructive approach taught in a digestible, accessible way — no experience necessary. We’ve gathered the most impactful information to jumpstart your learning — and left out the fluff — so you can focus on what’s important and practice in real-time to speed up your progress.

Each module offers the essential key topics, complete with video lessons, practice files, bonus materials, practical assignments as well as reading lessons that will allow you to integrate the newfound knowledge through multiple learning modalities.

Understanding, practicing, and perfecting retouching fundamentals will help you form good habits and step into the retouching world as a capable and confident professional.

Skill Level: (1) Novice / Beginner
Duration: Over 4 hours + Assignments
Volume: 40 lessons
Practice: 11 Assignments
Format: Streaming
Access: Lifetime
Practice Files: 5 Raw & PSD files photographed by Michael Woloszynowicz, Julia Kuzmenko McKim, Mary Vostokova and Anita Sadowska + Additional Sphere PSD file for Dodge & Burn practice.
Bonus Materials: 2 custom Action Sets, D&B custom brush for Photoshop

COURSE OUTLINE & BONUS MATERIALS

Please note that this course is available exclusively in an online streaming format, however, the bonus materials and practice files are downloadable.

This course was developed and created by fashion, beauty & portrait photographer, retoucher, and educator Michael Woloszynowicz (Toronto, NYC, and LA) and commercial beauty photographer and retoucher Julia Kuzmenko McKim (Los Angeles, CA and Dallas, TX) and the rest of the RA team.

In this beginners course, we cover the necessary basics so you can start retouching as soon as possible. If you dedicate time to learning and practicing, you could begin retouching images with effective techniques within a couple of hours of starting the course.

You will learn to process raw files, set up your workspace, and a retouching tablet. Will will introduce you to the core retouching basics such as using the key retouching instruments, Frequency Separation, Dodge and Burn, color correction, and color grading, as well as how to finalize your images and export for sharing on your website or social media.

While it’s true that you can test your new skills relatively quickly, we encourage you to take your time and practice as much as possible. The more you practice, the faster you develop your skills.

Establishing good habits is paramount for success!

Below you’ll find everything covered in Retouching Jumpstart — a course that can open up exciting new opportunities if you’re committed to your own growth!

Intro & Downloads: Please read this page carefully to learn about the location of the downloadable Bonus Materials and Practice Files.

Module 1: Processing Raw Files

Introduction
Adobe Lightroom: Develop Module Introduction
Adobe Lightroom: Key Adjustments
Capture One: Interface & Key Adjustments
Exporting Files to Photoshop
Image File Formats
Image Resolution
Assignment #1 Processing Your Raw File

Module 2: Before Retouching Begins

Photoshop Interface & Panels
Keyboard Shortcuts
Understanding Layers
Understanding Layer Masks
Cropping: When & How
Smart Structure of Your PSD Files
Assignment #2 Setting up Your PS Workspace

Working With Graphics Tablets

Retouching with Graphics Tablets
Graphics Tablet Models (Reference)
Setting Up Your Wacom Tablet
Choosing Your Stylus Nibs (Reference)
Assignment #2.1 Setting up Your Graphics Tablet

Module 3: Retouching Basics

Basic Cleanup

Spot Healing Brush
Healing Brush
Clone Stamp
Grafting
Checking Your Retouching Progress
Assignment #3.1 Basic Cleanup

Frequency Separation Technique (FS)

FS Technique Introduction
FS Mechanics
Lean PSD Approach After FS
Assignment #3.2 Frequency Separation

Finishing Up the Basic Cleanup (Retouch)

Finishing Up the Basic Cleanup Phase
Assignment #3.3 Finishing Up the Basic Cleanup

Module 4: Dodge & Burn Technique

Dodge & Burn Technique
Dodge & Burn Mechanics
Dodge & Burn Contouring on 50% Gray Layer
Assignment #4.1 Dodging & Burning – Sphere Exercise
Working Smart with D&B Actions or the Beauty Retouch Panel
Assignment #4.2 Dodging & Burning

Module 5: Color Corrections

Color Management At a Glance
Using Basic Selections for Color Corrections
Using Complex Selections for Color Corrections
Color Corrections
Assignment #5 Local Selections & Color Corrections

Module 6: Color Grading

Finishing Up with Color Grading
Assignment #6 Color Grading

Module 7: Finalize & Export

Finalizing & Exporting Your Images
Sharing Your Retouching Work Online
Assignment #7 Final Export

What’s Next?

Code Of Ethics & Professional Practice
What’s Next – Our recommendations on learning and practicing to achieve the best results and prepare you for your further professional development.