Sharkey

The Art of Computer Programming (TAOCP) - reference , I believe Mr. Knuth will say here at least, that to devise an algorithm is an Art of it's own.

When will you ALL realise that these manipulations do NOT make original images.
They are obvious, boring and derivative.
Most ART is derivative Bach>mozart>>Beethoven etc....
But really try and see that the application on of an algorithm written bt an algorithm is not 'art'!
J'esus.
Create or not create - but please do not believe that destortion and digital manipulation is creative unless!!!!!
You, yourself can create and recreate that process your self.
No apologies.
Sharkey

When will you ALL realise that these manipulations do NOT make original images.
They are obvious, boring and derivative.
Most ART is derivative Bach>mozart>>Beethoven etc....
But really try and see that the application on of an algorithm written bt an algorithm is not 'art'!
J'esus.
Create or not create - but please do not believe that destortion and digital manipulation is creative unless!!!!!
You, yourself can create and recreate that process your self.
No apologies.
Sharkey

The first edit was to me OK-ish.
The second edit (working from the first) however left grey streaks because of the desaturation used to remove the 'magenta caste'.
I realise this is all subjective.
I would therefor not dream to try to do better as that is also 'subjective'.
Realism, character, accuracy, point of the image capture; are three variables that are all up for opinion and on line comparison is usually disastrous anyway.
I would have advised a little general desaturation of the young ladies face/ hair and a little sharpening round the eyes (not just the eye itself).
Selecting a different colour balance may have also been a little more subtle.
If the cushion (right middle) is in fact white and accuracy was a target then selecting that area as a visual aid when changing the colour temperature might also assist.
 
Regards

The first edit was to me OK-ish.
The second edit (working from the first) however left grey streaks because of the desaturation used to remove the 'magenta caste'.
I realise this is all subjective.
I would therefor not dream to try to do better as that is also 'subjective'.
Realism, character, accuracy, point of the image capture; are three variables that are all up for opinion and on line comparison is usually disastrous anyway.
I would have advised a little general desaturation of the young ladies face/ hair and a little sharpening round the eyes (not just the eye itself).
Selecting a different colour balance may have also been a little more subtle.
If the cushion (right middle) is in fact white and accuracy was a target then selecting that area as a visual aid when changing the colour temperature might also assist.
 
Regards

The first edit was to me OK-ish.
The second edit (working from the first) however left grey streaks because of the desaturation used to remove the 'magenta caste'.
I realise this is all subjective.
I would therefor not dream to try to do better as that is also 'subjective'.
Realism, character, accuracy, point of the image capture; are three variables that are all up for opinion and on line comparison is usually disastrous anyway.
I would have advised a little general desaturation of the young ladies face/ hair and a little sharpening round the eyes (not just the eye itself).
Selecting a different colour balance may have also been a little more subtle.
If the cushion (right middle) is in fact white and accuracy was a target then selecting that area as a visual aid when changing the colour temperature might also assist.
 
Regards

Have to say this.
I really like the original more than the edits. Whoops. Sorry about that.
The only thing I would have done would be crop to portrait and use a slight over sharpen for the web.
Good image looking what it is - living room and a cooperative sibling.

Her left eye is in shadow and her right eye already had a catchlight. Having said that, your additional catchlights are nicely done.

No, it doesn't accept that plugin.

I’m inclined to agree! The original has a lot of warmth which is knocked out by the edits.

WOW!
As usual I have no idea what a 'raster painting' is or how you mix brushes etc..
Would love to do it myself but not able to get passed the language, just for a start.
This a stunning image; visually and socially. Its production is a mystery to me but it proves a number of things.
1/ you do not need necessarily to have the biggest, newest kit to do wonderful work.
2/skill, experience and knowledge depth will always surpass the latest most well known trickery.
3/Artistry crosses borders in the right Hands.
Congratulations from a very grumpy hard to please old git.
 

I usually use Clip Studio Paint for raster painting as it's super responsive and the blend and mix tools are brilliant, but I thought I'd work on this piece in Designer and Photo using some of the Daub and Frankentoon brushes I've purchased over the past couple of years - seems to have worked out OK although I still prefer mixing and blending in CSP 

Good Luck. Remember it is POETS day.

Here is a photo retouching done on affinity photo:
What do you guys think?

"not sure what.": A wasted life? A mostly wasted life? A partly wasted life?
Regarding Ben/Benn/Been all I can say in my defence is D'oh! I learned a long time ago to never proof by myself anything that I had set.