Using a layer to replace a persons skin

[marktrope]

I want to know if it is possible to use photoshop to place a layer (let's say a patterned mural) on top of a person, BUT have the layer follow the contours of the person's features. It is easy to simply put the layer on their body but I want it to look as though that layer is painted on them. (Ie Force photoshop to warp the top layer to the dimensions of the model)

[Bojan Živković]

If I can understand what you want then solution for you is layer mask and blending mode like Overlay applied to placed layer which is on top of a person.

It will be useful if you can provide some examples or screenshots so we can better understand what exactly you want to achieve.

[Leslie Moak Murray]

You might be referring to the displacement map feature. Is this what you mean?

The above is from an online tutorial here: https://www.discoverdigitalphotography.com/2012/photoshop-tutorial-how-to-apply-a-texture-to-a-face-...

[c.pfaffenbichler]

Depending on the affected regions the Displace-Filter ponytail1414 mentioned may be enough, but some additional Warping or Puppet Warping or Liquifying may be useful.

As Bojan Živković pointed out showing the images you want to combine may help people to provide more pertinent advice.

[Norman Sanders]

Displacement Mapping is the appropriate technique. I wrote a Tech Sheet (pdf) for my students with step-by-step instructions and illustrations for this. If you would like a copy, send me a personal message that includes your email address.