AffinityJules

I used the selection brush tool then made several copies. I blacked out the area where the original photo was by using the colour picker. There are other ways to do this, but this is simple and quick. Steps: 1. Use selection brush tool on photo. 2. Edit tab/copy/paste. 3. Use the move tool to place the photo where you want it to go. 4. If needed the copied selection can be saved as an independent PNG file.

I would hang it on my wall. Light and dark must both exist together in mythological harmony.

The refine tool - if that's what you're referring to - is to refine a selection once it has been made. I would suggest using the pen tool to isolate your subject then mask out the background. As ever, a screen shot or picture of your project would help others to help you.

If the background is white and you wish to retain it then try using a selective colour adjustment and target the blacks only - providing the text is also black.

I look at your pictures and find myself - as usual - speechles. Then I look at the wire frame and my dumbfoundedness is taken to another level. Are you sure you're not an alien artist from another planet? 😉

My initial startup, at times, can take well over a minute, but I do have several fonts which might be slowing things down a bit. I don't worry about that anymore because the piece of crap computer I have couldn't load it any faster anyway. It loads when it loads - I'm in no rush (nor is my computer), but after shutdown and reloading the time to wait is more than halved. Everybody expects breakneck speeds these days - I used to, but the reality is always different to expectation. Good luck with trying solve your speed issue.

1. Layers tab/choose rasterise from the drop down list. Or 2. Right click mouse/select rasterise.

That's because you're using an image file. Rasterise the layer to turn it into a pixel layer then all will be fine.

A pixelated face pointing a gun is quite a disconcerting image.

The refine tool works well for some pictures, but inflicts unwanted disaster upon others. Try not using the refine tool - if you can help it, but use a mask straight after you have made a selection (that is my way of doing things) and do any cleaning up after that. If more precision is required then use the Pen Tool/Selection/Mask. Using channels is a great alternative when making selections, it allows for greater control and usually gives better results. I have spent hour upon hour trying to make the refine tool behave but I did not succeed, so I gave up on that a long time ago and found better methods.

You need to select a colour first (not the left most overall saturation symbol). Click on the blue icon/symbol (or any other colour) and that will make the colour picker active (highlighted) then use your cursor and click on an appropriate point in your image.

Quite a few ways to do this, one quick method is to use an HSL Adjustment to target blues (see pic). Move the slider to the left to reduce the blue saturation.

It certainly has dynamism. Excellent painting.

I will defer to all those who know way more about it than I do. 😉

There are two places to find the recolour adjustment. (See picture)

I think I misunderstood your goal. If you need to recolour the entire picture then the advice mentioned above by Old Bruce using the recolour might be a good option.

Lots of ways to do this, one being the HSL Adjustment targetting the red (or any colour you wish). Once the colour has been chosen, move the slider to change the colour.

I can believe that.

Shhh. . .never give away your creative secrets, it takes something away from the mythology. 😜 But seriously: a very good composited picture. I dread to think how far down one would have to scroll if I were to display all the source material I use. Good luck in tracking down a goat to pose for you.

Are you using the tools while your zoom setting is at 20%?. Zoom to 100% and check it again at 100% brush opacity.

Your screenshot has the histogram selected (top right). The brush panel tab is fourth to the right according to your set up.

Click on the brush tab and select basic.

I take it you're using a basic brush rather than a specialised brush?

Something to try here that might help prove that the tools are working. Try setting the opacity and flow to 100% and try it again. Does it work?