When you're finished your vexel, flip it horizontally (in Photoshop, this is Image > Rotate Canvas > Flip Canvas Horizontal). It's like seeing your image "fresh" and you will pick up on mistakes that you may otherwise not notice from staring at it too long.

Tip by Linda

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Time is always a factor in making a vexel. It can not be stressed too much to not rush your vexel. Break up the areas of the vexel and work on them piece by piece so you don't rush finishing one say before bed or going out. For example: if I know I can finish skin shading in one evening, that is all I will do and I will concerntrate on finishing this. If I finish early, I will not start a new area as I may rush it before I go to bed.

Tip by Shaz

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When finishing off your vexel, a good tip is to not leave it with a white/plain background. Maybe use a gradient or something a bit more interesting. It is also good to put either a plain black or white frame around it. Presentation is everything!

Tip by Shaz

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As a motivational tip... start on areas which you know will enjoy least and build up to the areas you would enjoy more. With this, you are more likely to complete a whole vexel.

Tip by Shaz

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Remember that every vexel has an "ugly stage", usually when you begin to lay the foundations of the skin and face. It's often difficult to see how it could look good, but I know from experience that if you just vexel right through the ugly stage, you will start to your vexel come together.

Tip by Zenith

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Another good check is when you have finished a majority of your vexel, make a blank layer beneath all of your other layers and fill it some really bright colour that you didn't use, I use yellow, and check for holes and gaps where the layers meet.

Tip by Zenith

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Take. Your. Time. Making the additional effort to add extra layers, in the skin and hair, for example, will make all of the difference. It will make your layers blend together a lot better, and therefore give everything a smoother appearance. :)

Tip by nocturnelle

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Don't depend on a photographer's creativity, use your own. You don't need a photo of someone with cool eye makeup or flowers around their face - you can do that to any photo - be creative and do it yourself instead of just blindly copying the photographer's (or stylist's) "art".

Tip by Linda

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Picking the right reference photo is half the job done. You need to be aware of what you can and can not do. If your strength is vexelling eyes, then try and get a reference photo which has the eyes as your focal point. If you are unsure on skin shading, don't go for a girl in a bikini or a photo which has a lot of contrasting shadows. Saying this, it is good every now and again to challenge yourself... but try not to push yourself too far too soon. Little achievements along the way is a good thing and will give you a confidence boost every time.

Tip by Shaz

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If you get tired with a particular part of the vexel (hair, skin, etc.) then just leave it alone. Don't force yourself to work on it, either just drop the entire picture for a day or two or move on to another part of it. If you make yourself work, the picture will turn out sloppy and unfinished looking.

Tip by Turp

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When outlining Do Not "stroke" the everything but rather make shapes in the shapes of lines.

Tip by TooDarnCool

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The best tip I can give is never think "It's like that in the original so I have to do it that way". This limits you so much and doesn't let any creativity be put into your work.

Tip by Linda

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Before you start vexelling, double the size of the reference photo you are working from. When you complete it, half the size of your finished vexel. This will give your lines and curves a more smoother appearance and will give the illusion that your vexel is more detailed.

Tip by Shaz

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If you have photoshop, put your layers in groups by using the button next to the 'Create a new layer' button. It really helps to keep things organized.

Tip by Photojunkie86

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If you are using Photoshop, and going to posterize, you might notice that the posterize lines can blend too much and be jagged which makes it difficult to determine where the shades are. It really depends on the image - some images have many dots which causes this. So first, Go to Filter>>>Noise>>>Median, and that will smooth your original image. Then you can posterize the image. You will notice that the posterize lines and shades are smoother.

Tip by 4ngel

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