Pastel Painting Effect

[Valentina]

I'd like to learn how to make this painting effect. Examples are from Maria Svarbova and  this is the link:

https://www.behance.net/gallery/34353093/SWIMMING-POOL

I'll upload the picture I'd like to use to learn this technique next.

[Valentina]

I have 2 options, 1 SOOR with very slight adjustments made on the SOOC (not sure what to do, given the uncommon edit) and 1 SOOR with much lower clarity (I like the effect on the sea, not sure if loosing details on the people will make things difficult later on PS).
 

[Valentina]

one PS attempt. It's a different painting effect, with much less detail.

[Damien Symonds]

To my eye, the reason the style is so effective is because of those areas of very vivid colour (red swimsuits).  Do you have any photos with a bolder area of colour like that?

[Valentina]

Better?

[Damien Symonds]

I'm struggling.  Is this anywhere close?

[Valentina]

Haha, getting close.

I don't intend to replicate her style, just want to learn how to give a painting feeling to a picture,  in order to find a personal way to use this technique.

I am interested to know how you gave that effect to the sea and to the orange and red parts. I guess solid layers at different opacities but would love to know if I am right and the details.

I would like to see more details in the skin and to make it whiter/desaturated (not greeninsh/grayrish like now) and to keep color and some more details in hair and shorts.

Thanks for the help!

[Damien Symonds]

Download the PSD

[Valentina]

Levels and soft light, I would have never guessed. Thanks!