So, over on my own account (jakepatt) I posted this manip:

And decided to create a tutorial on how I created the skin that was breaking away.

Tools:

Photoshop :-

Brush tool

Dodge/Burn Tool

You Will Need:

Crack Effect brush by funeerals0ng on DA (link in comments)

Debris by Brusheezy (optional)

Step 1.)

Open up your image in Photoshop:

Step 2.)

Create a new layer, and choose the person's skin colour, then drag the circle down a bit, to make it darker.

Now select one of the crack brushes from funerals0ng, and (in a new layer) click where you want the crack to appear.

I chose her left cheek.

You can see the crack goes of off her skin, so simply erase the parts that aren't on her cheek.

Step 3.)

For this example in particular, as she is the background layer, you will need to create another layer, and place it behind her, so when you cut out part of her skin, it will look as though the background is still there.

Using whatever tool works (I used Polygonal Lasso), click on the layer with her face, and begin cutting out a shape, using the crack as your guide.

Close your selection, pressed Command/Control C and then delete.

This removes the skin from her face, but when you press Command/Control V it will appear again. Take the newly pasted part of her skin, and move it to the side. Begin breaking that part of the skin into little pieces as well. You can use a crack brush as your guide.

Step 4.)

To make the crack look more a part of her skin, change the blend mode to Multiply.

Step 5.)

Add another crack to the broken pieces as well, to make it look more realistic. Now is where we use the debris brushes from Brusheezy. Choose a random colour of her sin, and select your brush. Brush over where the crack occurred.

Continue to add more.

Step 6.)

Press 'O' and you will be automatically switched to another tool.

This tool is called the Dodge/Burn tool, and you can use it to add realistic shadows and highlights.

( it looks like a hand or magnifying glass depending on which tool it shows. If you are unsure, hover over the icon, and the name should appear)

This is the burn tool icon:

Use the burn tool to make the cracks looker darker, and deeper, and also to make the cracked skin have definition, and 'burn' the edges of the cracks, to make it look deep and more 3D. Also if you have cracks overlaying, burn the bottom layer crack right around where the top layer crack is.

And then you're done!

If you have any questions, let me know and tag me jakepatt so I can see it!

Please know this is just how I do it, and I only taught myself how to do it recently, so be flexible xD

Also know that this was made in like ten minutes xD

[ Tutorial by jakepatt ]