Pixelate a Face in Photoshop

Learn how to non-destructively pixelate a face in Photoshop. Details below...

0:00 - Intro

0:40 - Smart Object
Right mouse clicking on a layer within the Layers panel and choosing Convert to Smart Object wraps the pixels within a protective "wrapper". This layer can be resized at will and/or have any number of filters applied to it and the original pixels will remain unchanged.

1:38 - Mosaic Smart Filter
Found in the Pixelate section of the Filter menu, the Mosaic filter creates a pixelated look. Applying this filter to a Smart Object allows for it to be turned on/off and tweaked at any future stage. Double click on the Filters entry within the Layers panel to edit it.

2:25 - Vector Mask
Select the Ellipse Tool. From the options running along the top of Photoshop set the Mode to Path and the Path Operations to Combine Shapes. Draw an oval over the face. With both the path and relevant layer selected, choose Current Path from the Vector Mask section of the Layer menu. This will create a vector mask that can be easily edited at any future time. With the vector mask thumbnail selected, apply a Free Transform Path (Command/Control + T) from the Edit menu.

4:55 - Feather Vector Mask
With the vector mask thumbnail selected in the Layers panel, a Feather option will be available within the Properties panel. This allows for the hard vector mask edge to be softened.

Demonstration image:
Thanks to Austin Wade

[imyuumi]

Thanks so much for this tutorial, so simple and to the point. instant like <3

[BananaStew]

omg thank you for explaining the steps and the basics of smart object tool!

[prahlad]

Dude this video is such a life saver man!!! Even using Photopea instead of photoshop I was able to produce the same exact results, no thanks to your fantastic help and wit. Thanks for your knowledge, youve gained yourself a subscriber ✌

[DexFreez]

what is command control T on windows? xd