To finish up my illustration, I use the following layers and blending modes.

Note: So that the blending modes affect all layers, the “final adjustments” layer folder is set to [Through].

 

Final adjustment layers

① Diffusing light 1, ② Leaves, ③ Diffusing light 2, ④ Tonal correction layer: Tone Curve, ⑤ Tonal correction layer: Color balance

 

① Diffusing light 1

I use an [Add] layer to diffuse the light around where the sunlight hits the character.

Note: Changes are shown as an animated GIF.

 

② Leaves & ③ Diffusing light 2

I felt that the illustration didn’t have enough sparkle, so I add leaves in front. Then, I paint the leaves lightly with the [Airbrush] tool to add a glow effect.

Note: Changes are shown as an animated GIF.

 

④ Tonal correction layer: Tone Curve:

I go to the [Layer] menu > [New Correction Layer] > [Tone Curve] and adjust the tone curve.

Personally I like the pictures with strong dark colors, so I always maker the dark colors even darker at this stage...

 

⑤ Tonal correction layer: Color balance:

Using the [Layer] menu > [New Correction Layer] > [Color balance] layer, I adjust the overall color of the illustration.

The overall illustration has a blue tone, so I add a little bit of a red tone in the bright areas.

 

Now I’m finished.