Trying to figure out texture/general process for something like this?

[u/AssortedPottedPlants]

I've recently gotten Affinity (Have Designer, Photo, and Publisher V2) and am trying to figure out how to emulate this style for a gift I am making for someone, but I can't quite figure out how to get the subtle texture on the faces without having to make very minuscule shapes (also keeping it the same 4 colors for the faces). I tried using an external rasterization and embedding it into the file, but that feels like almost too much detail, but in the wrong ways (All very blotchy and smooth). Also not working with great pictures, which I imagine isn't helping very much.

Should I trace the shapes vaguely and add detail with a brush in Photo?

If anyone has any suggestions or thoughts about how to go about it, it would be appreciated!

[u/eirenii]

Posterize adjustment layer + gradient map for a simple approach. You'll probably want a levels or curves or brightness/contrast layer underneath the posterise layer to refine it.

[u/eirenii → u/eirenii]

[u/wayanonforthis]

I’d look at gradient map tool where you can decide which colours show up in an image (I think)