This exercise began with the image on the left. Using curves and general adjustments such as brightness and contrast, I darkened the original. I added a layer of radial blur to create rays of sun glowing through the clouds. More cloud texture was added with the filters clouds and difference clouds. After some adjustments, the final step was to use the gradient tool (and more difference clouds filters) to create lightningbolts. I distorted and transformed the lightning to my liking to achieve the final image on the right. To guide me, I worked from the following tutorial:
To age Zooey Deschanel, I began by thinning and lightening her eyelashes/eyebrows with the stamp and dodge tools. Next, I created sags and age in the skin by using the liquefy tool to pull down her cheekbones, jaw line etc. I added light wrinkles by accentuating the ones she already had and drawing in a few more. For the key final touch, I greyed and thinned out her hair. I drew in a few loose strands to complete the old look. To assist me in this exercise, I used this tutorial.