[bpgd486]

Originally Posted by tamlin

That's probably part of your problem, although I've had OK results using D&B with the mouse. Other than that, I'd say the basic principles are:

• Use a soft-edged brush, as large as you can get away with. Alternatively, try the Airbrush option.
• Change the size of the brush with the [ and ] keys as you work.
• Carefully assess the tonal balance of the area you want to dodge/burn to work out whether you need to work on Shadows, Midtones, Highlights or a combination of all three. As a rule of thumb, you will most often use the Highlights setting for the Dodge tool, and the Shadows setting with the Burn tool.
• Most importantly, set the Exposure value fairly low (maybe even as low as 3-5%) and build up the effect with several passes, rather than attempting to do the whole thing in one go.

That's pretty much it, I think. They're not difficult tools to master - they just need a bit of practice.

Thanks for the advice, ill be sure to incorporate them when I am working. I assume you use a Wacom Pen? How do you like it?