Shading skin with photoshop/photoshop like programs, D= Help

[The Raving Madame]

I've found several tutorials on places like deviantart.com but they only really help for the specific pose that artist is doing when your considering shadows and what not. Would someone mind helping me by giving some general rules for it? Like should i chose a separate darker color all together for shadows, or just use very opace black/grey? Because i've been using about 10-30 percent opacity with black for shading and it works but lacks that professional zest. But that could be since i'm basically brand new at this. Any advice is greatly welcomed.  

[Folken_Schezar]

i'm not sure what you're asking for.

are you looking for tips on making shadows look better in PS and the like

or how to shadow in general?  

[The Raving Madame]

How to make it look good on Ps or the like. >.< i see some people use pink for some lighter parts like bare shoulders and chests, but it gives it an overly soft look. I'm wonder how to make more realistic like looking shadows in ps/the like Sorry if i was unclear  

[Folken_Schezar]

well i'm not a PS expert so i'm unaware of any PS techniques for making better shadows

when i paint in PS or oC i use the standard 5 shadows rules  

[The Raving Madame]

i know how shadows work... but what is the 5 shadow rule? I haven't heard of it... i just kinda follow the light source when determining shadows  

[Folken_Schezar]

oh haha its the way i learned about shadows and light

it deals with highlight, direct light, secondary shadows, core shadows, reflective light and cast shadows  

[The Raving Madame]

I'm guessing you learned that in college... because they deffinitly do not teach that in high school art class lol. I'm basically self taught art wise ._. with some help occasionally from two good friends  

[Folken_Schezar]

haha yea i learned what it was called but i already understood it xD  

[Errol McGillivray]

Thread about shading There is also a really detailed tutorial about lighting.

It doesn't matter if you do it in photoshop, painter, or in charcoal or pencil. It's all the same.