Create incredible water effects (part 2)

12. Import more files

Find stock images of water splashes. Place each image on a different layer, then scale, invert and reposition them all around. Now change the blend mode to Screen.

13. Position your assets

Go to File>Place and choose any image you like. Check the Constrain Proportions box and scale the image to around 15%. You can use the handles at the corner of each image to rotate and place it into the best position.

14. Blend the images

Ctrl/right-click on the Smart Object thumbnail and choose Simplify Layer (CS users use Rasterise). Grab the Eraser tool (E) and erase the edges. Set the blend mode to Screen and use the Free Transform tool (Cmd/Ctrl+T) to modify the image.

15. Adjust the levels

Use the Levels adjustment layer (Cmd/Ctrl+L to tweak the brightness of each image. Place as many layers as you want, but remember to cut, flip, resize and rotate each one accordingly.

16. Load some brushes

Now download bubble brushes from online. Go to Edit>Preset Manager (CS users: Edit>Preset>Preset Manager), click Append and Load the brushes.

17. Draw the bubbles

Select the Brush tool (B) and open the Brush Preset Picker. Choose a bubble brush, open the Brush Settings, choose a very small size, then change the Scatter and the Spacing. Draw some splashes around the image, but vary the size.

18. Use the Eraser tool

Grab the Rectangle Marquee tool (M), select the legs, then go to Filter>Adjustments>Invert (Cmd/Ctrl+I). Grab the Eraser tool (E), choose a soft brush, set the Size to 150 and the Opacity to 20%. Now carefully remove the centre of each leg.

19. Create a new backdrop

Set the Foreground to #239ec3 and the Background to #053f55. Grab the Rectangular Marquee tool, draw a small selection and then go to Filter>Render>Cloud. Apply a 5px Gaussian Blur and resize it to fit the canvas.

20. Use some lighting effects

Now go to Filter>Render>Lighting Effect. Choose the Light Type: Spotlight, set the intensity to 25, Focus to 60 and the Ambience to -5. Use the Preview window to rotate and place the light.

21. Create a composition

Place a watery background into the piece. This could be a lake, or as we’ve gone for, rocks and waves. Adjust hue and saturation so it fits in with the rest of the picture.

22. Use Splash brushes

Create a new layer on top of the layer stack, grab the Brush tool (B) and open the Brush Preset Picker. Now go ahead and choose any Splash brush. Be sure to lower the brush’s Size first and draw over the legs carefully. Use the Eraser tool to remove any of the extraneous parts.

23. Add a final rain effect

Fill a new layer with black, go to Filter>Noise>Add Noise and set the Amount to 100%. Go to Filter>Blur>Motion Blur, set the Distance to 100px and Angle to 75 degrees. Hit Cmd/Ctrl+L and set Levels to 85, 0.60 and 110. Set the blend mode to Screen and apply 3px Gaussian Blur.