Create a new layer
to be used as a surface for dodging and burning.
Menu: Layer -> New Layer
In the new layer dialog box that appears, choose
themode “Overlay”, check “Fill
with overlay-neutral color (50% gray), and click OK
Select the brush tool, pick something appropriate
sized for dodging and burning with a soft edge. Also set the opacity for
about 5%.
Paint the areas to darken with black and paint the
areas to lighten with white. Set the default colors of the brush tool by
pressing 'D'. You can toggle between the black and white brush
colors by pressing 'X'.
To lessen the overall dodge and burn effect further, click the neutral
gray layer and lower the opacity or choose “soft light” as the blending
mode.
Note that when using the brush tool at
a specific opacity, going back and forth does not necessarily increase
the strength, but will only provide more through coverage of the brush
of areas that may have been over the soft edge portion. To
increase the strength, you will need to unclick, and then click again to
start a new brush stroke. Use the undo tool liberarlly if you find
to have overdone either the dodge or burn.