In this tutorial, I will show you the steps I took to Create Epic
Splashing Human Photo Manipulation in Photoshop. The main focus of this
tutorial is the use of layer masking techniques, photo retouch and a few
filter effects. Have a try!
This is an intermediate tutorial so some steps can be tricky – if you’re having difficulty with it, I suggest you go to the
basic section of PSD Vault and practice those tutorials first, then come back and do this one.
Here is a preview of the final effect I have for this tutorial: (Click to Enlarge)
![rough-figure-flatten-3 rough figure flatten 3 500x679 Create Epic Splashing Human Photo Manipulation in Photoshop](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_tYzucsvCbDwlh8FMiiHGWASWzOe6oYYswZYreFlhX7YQ1kLu0stNWLgUDlSiMTskiWqITDkPXEG-byqvBnFwdDNi2o5Yl1rAGZmFyBhf-07Lq7G-q-L99BwlGWa-rzCyXrMcZk=s0-d)
Alternative version with a few more colours:
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Ok Let’s get started!
To complete this tutorial, you will need the following stock:
Model – by mjranum-stock
Water Texture
Step 1
Create a document (size doesn’t really matter here) with black
background, load the model image into Photoshop and cut out the model,
paste it on the center of our canvas:
![1 paste 1 paste 500x682 Create Epic Splashing Human Photo Manipulation in Photoshop](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_tyR4L2_7yM1UPZTYos8WIyNrZhW5NouNm5XCP2PauVWIZgbv7GDoO1dskAP_fDezdXKojDHGbVqASfj2YZIvpd835fjmOwqXFyOd-aFbFooLEj8UfW=s0-d)
We can remove some dark spots on the leg with spots healing tool:
![1 spot heal 1 spot heal 500x315 Create Epic Splashing Human Photo Manipulation in Photoshop](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_uQskq8_YEjIITIzexHa4zeAdkiJNDaJb4YyAWreHDWl54McbBhwh3B6qim22gecR898-Y9LLiHzSA_MgzkxJZ7A2-NIfh1zy60j_8URkgL0hKmbSN1jw23JqI=s0-d)
Adjust the brush tip size to around the size of the dark spot, then left-click to remove it:
![1 heal before 1 heal before 500x365 Create Epic Splashing Human Photo Manipulation in Photoshop](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_vhCy16Oo12fxa8TtwxyVuFBW38N6oMaPB3tn6w7i-cEXVDiUVuKjoa_GMgU-eSklxwxFHDdkt5OxX-RgcuglruOYbIOHJLvWA7SCFW2gyHguvFUhUJPW_WoWbcXQ=s0-d)
and you will see the spots disappear after the healing:
![1 heal after 1 heal after 500x262 Create Epic Splashing Human Photo Manipulation in Photoshop](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_sp3wsGy0K59YXQLmyOvp1uJY46bIKo0dYsfSf6KipOzhcltwVe1ZHF6PzZpt1Zk2y-KUTgJEkP2vI3B1o4Z86JiEv-u-GinatRWtQ7AOWtk5peL_Avn-BOu05R=s0-d)
Make sure you clean up the edge with a soft eraser:
![1 clean up edge 1 clean up edge 500x636 Create Epic Splashing Human Photo Manipulation in Photoshop](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_vst7e4DgfScoGknW9QPyZybc4zL8MBz9GnURAe4LdeB4xo_OikZnAiY2Kgfq6z7dqDDsrRcz0P1hGl_yVA7Bv9KGIgq_ZPeZv5MEBNKZc1PgGAoNsdyHZMnh0XbsRe=s0-d)
Add the following 2 adjustment layer to the model layer as clipping mask:
Black and White
![1 bw 1 bw Create Epic Splashing Human Photo Manipulation in Photoshop](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_v18M6bzNGrF9KvAaE3FHMWl9qAkLx-Ss8uVyPI75u4PrTFgfKZcaDFMBOhuc6S6n8YkOJxu854AyR_m8n4veJWTFanCPxAJcwOc8E=s0-d)
Levels
![1 lv 1 lv Create Epic Splashing Human Photo Manipulation in Photoshop](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_t1A7dRIUXjM8o2D3aQqeshZ6k9ALK3mOd01d2HKjSVfB6ADltmFh5eC0ZLNKQ9x6bU_ZYUOAIu_kwKqd3mK7v1ygt-9DIssRX7lQ=s0-d)
Layer mask on the Levels adjustment layer:
![1 lv mask 1 lv mask 500x690 Create Epic Splashing Human Photo Manipulation in Photoshop](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_tfbn6U6_SSHNjQlhwB2x-70iocujg0kszyFq1E6cjdQDvavQAYEb4z2pTfm6e1OxY7UFDfMXatcCRgCdmx2L616cmXZvJBBxz6YJ79oEr7Gyas5y0IAguP=s0-d)
and you will have the following effect:
Step 2
We can add some cloud to act as background lighting to the model –
you can use a cloud brush or the cloud filter to achieve this effect:
(use Free Transform to adjust its size)
![2 cloud 2 cloud 500x387 Create Epic Splashing Human Photo Manipulation in Photoshop](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_uj8IYXCBGm-L-uAQxrOajYVFyRroZl7tbwOcl6-FHJRKGy7BifhQcNhhyaxIvwlLQqhsVB-KC0L77hE5smlf7tn_an-2t1lmUPJUzpHyTNzJw2XxjGNQ=s0-d)
Also add some cloud behind the guitar for more effect:
![2 cloud 2 2 cloud 2 500x279 Create Epic Splashing Human Photo Manipulation in Photoshop](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_vb4_1EuSFBn1kvEV1YIsAUgegQ4MeQezSJbzJ3yQaAKENt1nNSyIW9HXtJmvz6_ZEjHuH0ptE2AbSVLS6pp5nmupJG5txvTQ2X5dNFtWlR-9urIxRTRiOD=s0-d)
Compress the cloud layer down the move it to the bottom:
![2 bottom cloud 2 bottom cloud 500x238 Create Epic Splashing Human Photo Manipulation in Photoshop](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_tzTEbYQjhN-nEGi4PNxZbZw2AgGhTtXz_q1_HxmZtIQ-bqsCWae4DFsqkMm-0FK-uT1rOy1KAcGbd7nbjraE3-XA5oOndedJZqoc5CMjUKzY8XbN9DPD-l6c0wRxY=s0-d)
Use a soft black brush to paint some shadow under the feet, make sure
you following the shape of the model’ feet for best result:
Step 3
Now we can add some water texture. Load the water texture and use Quick Selection Tool to select a portion:
![3 sel water 3 sel water 500x309 Create Epic Splashing Human Photo Manipulation in Photoshop](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_v_7tpFWHB4v6GgLyo0BansqgJzFapsp4hjB0u_Hm5K8vCBYQQCDAZuAWawifgrajO4snwa9xoqJkjSRLOWO2ZeX1fAfXuYaZqYRw2ZszytVpfJzJrTaYbHgLw=s0-d)
Copy and paste the selection onto our canvas and warp it a little as shown below:
![3 warp 3 warp Create Epic Splashing Human Photo Manipulation in Photoshop](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_vF6r1KPvQFPqyHzQ7sUUugeXXQPVdMabmd03zM3t0H4nhF0kQ9O8NPAdGRXvtHH8xndug7tLUfax1neF7laqaEGtQsaWiQZqkyitR3rA=s0-d)
Apply the following black and white adjustment to this texture:
![3 bw 3 bw Create Epic Splashing Human Photo Manipulation in Photoshop](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_tvKCB5qBl-Bz1uXQ1K1TXERdV-jW-bbZS-HFTly77cSReK5jJlvhdPY5zPxvDi6ogmxACDeBGi12uN3CGSlZTGjePwHKkYBmzPX1U=s0-d)
Then apply the following Levels adjustment to this layer:
![3 lv 3 lv Create Epic Splashing Human Photo Manipulation in Photoshop](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_syDcDaoef7EafeLOvnvQ5104VThKKBDHnmiENCQnDd6xECGHjfHnzSzYr5S008bD1MEfIwWu5q2TiWq5BKMQ_CNdapCNJTRFHzCQ=s0-d)
and you will have the following effect:
![3 effect 3 effect1 Create Epic Splashing Human Photo Manipulation in Photoshop](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_s-DFl6xtaZxaZP-IjRuC5YnzjnouF-_Zo3a9CErN545RNr9jcc7udy7E_UGWJJnxcfN1x2fTZezUfGF2QSPIkUN8gDf16_hcW7BX9_qnjg=s0-d)
Use the Sharpen Filter to sharpen this texture a bit:
![3 after shap 3 after shap Create Epic Splashing Human Photo Manipulation in Photoshop](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_teGRrsHGEb7que73W1GEY8Df0t3iXp-XhcuPGkT959q9AR4xGTh_uuZQHIF1r0eWIxERg0Uk3BinYsdSy_cFuVs_jTSY3H7aWhSIkpawFC2EOCvg=s0-d)
Duplicate this layer a few times and scatter them around the model:
Step 4
Draw a ring behind the model with Elliptical Marquee Tool, erase some parts with a soft eraser to create some breaking effect:
![4 ring 4 ring 500x363 Create Epic Splashing Human Photo Manipulation in Photoshop](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_vHjSmiFC-XOotq-pQ3lo_GsYjWwqYlISO9_Z4rdNA0wRe3JMEvST58qvTeqGh_cPI6jE6oXiThQTFmbcTbJWHdImie46aYcmn7aSmOy_rGSsz-A7GB=s0-d)
Repeat the steps described in previous step, apply some water texture
on the ring, use the Warp Tool to adjust the shape when necessary:
![4 warp texture 4 warp texture 500x427 Create Epic Splashing Human Photo Manipulation in Photoshop](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_txqLj-CX8XYYkDuoj7odfYbGOMsDcjCexswLSSk4ZozUSytHBXykxiyFHilr2iOR41I4GfCLGDvTubBLcuGSSN55VaUuNLNH63ZvasuHZEHW95krPttLWCV0AsMds=s0-d)
Keep going until the water stream texture cover the entire ring:
![4 effect 4 effect1 Create Epic Splashing Human Photo Manipulation in Photoshop](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_vT0wFByXSpaCqaWMxmPZv_OVPT35zmiUePrzaWRAVoa_T4GgQ_7-TvBLztL4HjiXJsu2KV0ngvG6eE_hyt0U2piSbK_gfnjoHfir9hUo266A=s0-d)
You can also put some water stream texture above the model layer to create some overlay effect:
Step 5
We can some more water pattern to the image. Go back to the Water Texture and select a portion with a 30px feather Lasso Tool:
![5 lasso 5 lasso 500x282 Create Epic Splashing Human Photo Manipulation in Photoshop](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_tss2SsHq4MBkTcaeVn50HH7FqovjIOLRYknkZdg5JC-7FmsEGfWuQnvhY7ClueFxced1cG-1wPkPHmHhLgClf50voXMAk5VyA8N2tfInAx8us9cwdj=s0-d)
Copy and paste the selection onto our canvas, move it to the top and apply the following black and white adjustment to it:
![5 bw 5 bw Create Epic Splashing Human Photo Manipulation in Photoshop](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_uMs-oG94FKU-leoIbiGyxXi-JNSUYexQFKdChva-p97sFMgUvJpF0FYXqA6_j4jPsXeUd3mEmjbmxiWAIPzPiLEiW8alf451YU-Zo=s0-d)
And you will have the following effect:
![5 bw effect 5 bw effect 500x333 Create Epic Splashing Human Photo Manipulation in Photoshop](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_tsGPccMhgamyHA6YisB2kOdLDYzWg0AAIdhvSbeWpdkaCGgUpXW_bvYZyD2PbmdlqqG082ZsWDzXUO2I-IKboKV1a7ktm5MdCBSseXcnIB-dxrVu65gLUKS9I=s0-d)
Duplicate this water layer once and move it to the bottom, use the Warp Tool to warp it as shown below:
![5 bottom splash 5 bottom splash 500x421 Create Epic Splashing Human Photo Manipulation in Photoshop](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_sAwCYXfmSJarYbaALNjTF6r7u8rKzLNQKmWugDE3IyOEs-ZrV859zl9TQIDJmhzfemKGCGOKdw_Rq90slnTXr664hWO_dxF1LFWvDq0zgA6yJ2ZVNrcoEp8FhqTmbU=s0-d)
We want to splash to appear behind the model, so use a soft eraser to remove the front portion”
![5 erase 5 erase 500x290 Create Epic Splashing Human Photo Manipulation in Photoshop](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_uJfqtcBt0xcBff0adhN-0vMacijlZXFli5tRnciW20ZbeeYRZGOqRZGyuvM4Tu6FRsJ1cBm0u8lpHNfEKFdk6vK0QF1youS3Mz9PVL_Tx-UzQDHvZ4IQ=s0-d)
and here is the effect so far:
Step 6
We can now add some abstract flying pattern to the image. I decided
to create a custom brush for this purpose. Firstly we can create a new
document sized 150px * 150px, create a new layer and paint a dot in the
centre with a soft black brush:
![6 brush 6 brush Create Epic Splashing Human Photo Manipulation in Photoshop](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_vWX6TJlQbwsckmgYf86a7EuXLCty3Mbjhn5MDM08oCsw_bmFRRnjCxCnYBTL_VcyE89HyldbFpqROrBbvaEPUbEIrMmvL8BrgrokTwWQ8=s0-d)
Use the Warp Tool to warp it as shown below:
![6 warp 6 warp 500x438 Create Epic Splashing Human Photo Manipulation in Photoshop](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_tPkKrvjZ04I4qL-I4LmYXG8rfSnh3UZFyn6qBmKGjJGBAHkzDQeyyZuNgcoiE0i3bzoNd02XMtBmJ0xKkIAsg5TYuAjIX6uBsBbvr11G_C8TVT27X5=s0-d)
Then bring up the Liquify Filter, set the brush as below:
![6 liquify 6 liquify Create Epic Splashing Human Photo Manipulation in Photoshop](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_tsqx4ZafzlPYY6eP0qmgTJyA2uw9QYbV8njkp_5ncMXY7a8UC7oAuoIZmHkJkjVq8YMwhYCMF9BysigQWh5jZ09NwK0-K0w8F-UVXTv5HMMA=s0-d)
Use Forward Warp option to liquify it to this following shape:
![6 liquify effect 6 liquify effect 500x481 Create Epic Splashing Human Photo Manipulation in Photoshop](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_tp7cPX_FIyacfPLAWY_R85b2bbX-Sivt3T6pbTxA-7OQ0-qtwMIQjPU93AXS4GusghDnjaC5ihOjRTJveGXkiG0lXvnlBemL-qXaWoYrGOCZc13p7j9mHeHJucFAutVg=s0-d)
Make sure you turn off the background layer, Hit “Ctrl + A” to selection all, then go to “Edit > Define Brush Preset”:
![6 define 6 define 500x264 Create Epic Splashing Human Photo Manipulation in Photoshop](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_uL1rKrSLjTH8cVgYLjNW_hXTTx-2nRymlmGxtT1ZpU0TAigfoQsk_Ah7npqCek0eq8ZETmhEFV9iELG0Dy06K3cb8BxOnsqHHb7isZU588BAMzcZDBxdo=s0-d)
After defining the brush, press F5 to bring the brush option window, apply the following settings:
Shape Dynamics
![6 shape dyn 6 shape dyn Create Epic Splashing Human Photo Manipulation in Photoshop](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_t8Y16LI-9jTH1jfBKTUPLQkbDoY-WKaOKnJs_QSy7YodNWN_pfA_KtYFAgkXNESSV1IfH_N0swz8jNXVBJIAq_29Jacr4oqq_bE9aNURzWHN-c=s0-d)
Scattering
![6 scattering 6 scattering Create Epic Splashing Human Photo Manipulation in Photoshop](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_t12KZ8y1LRigP0IVeBgeAKfrdAg7mY0TAaPbTEfE2oZ37040tBe5Gyrin25OxeAcf3REqZ-LYYwK_nE-udUjAtCNF9QBrAg3tBUeU8wiRAA8wO9g=s0-d)
Other Dynamics
![6 other dyn 6 other dyn Create Epic Splashing Human Photo Manipulation in Photoshop](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_va2aMQmLBkdXzrbviXTiy8hnHipjK72y4kKxmfmCpWGmIeDNbw0KV_IBKsMcGta2CIgILfzu3fF-dwJNuOyobR_URePOkyy7eOdXooFxc6oXGK=s0-d)
Tick “Airbrush”, “Smoothing” and “Protect Texture” options. Use this brush to paint some patterns as shown below on the image:
Step 7
We’re almost done. For some final retouches we can use the Sharpen
Tool from the Toolbox to sharpen a number of areas on the model:
(flatten the image first)
Hint: set the strength of the sharpen tool to around 30-40%. Don’t over-sharpen the image.
Duplicate this layer and apply the following Accented Edges filter to it:
![7 edge 7 edge 500x338 Create Epic Splashing Human Photo Manipulation in Photoshop](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_t58D9Z6df-94hna0eiwAg0Y7wI3YEL3H-v_-UtzcnLAp9phlSNIOU9gNeuxHDT1vaSP56noi_32Uo9cMGs1F-jbY5z2Ps3fRY_bpyNSN5WkRJDJrMv=s0-d)
We don’t want the whole image to have this filter effect, so add the following layer mask to hide centain portion:
![7 mask 7 mask 500x678 Create Epic Splashing Human Photo Manipulation in Photoshop](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_vU4EYhayqdM24whPXiPdjrWhnO5gnp2-j-eHOisQSStNTEXdHT8_Xj0Mu9pMigayIpIKV7rYqDKjIbcZSt1ing1jvgObALF5unqRuClI3PSE5heODR=s0-d)
and you will have the following effect:
Now you can add a few colours for this image, you can do it via several methods:
- Colour balance adjustment layer with mask
- Paint with a soft brush on a new layer (set blending mode to “overlay”, “soft light” or “color”)
- Play with Channels
You can experiment with the aboves and see what result that brings you.
I have the following final effect: (click to enlarge)
Version 1
![rough-figure-flatten-3 rough figure flatten 3 500x679 Create Epic Splashing Human Photo Manipulation in Photoshop](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_tYzucsvCbDwlh8FMiiHGWASWzOe6oYYswZYreFlhX7YQ1kLu0stNWLgUDlSiMTskiWqITDkPXEG-byqvBnFwdDNi2o5Yl1rAGZmFyBhf-07Lq7G-q-L99BwlGWa-rzCyXrMcZk=s0-d)
Alternative Version with more colour:
![rough-figure-flatten-2 rough figure flatten 2 500x679 Create Epic Splashing Human Photo Manipulation in Photoshop](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_st5aiQfgEHPrjAzioQEx71bbRGXm8ntl1Qfo91jjwOLHkwhcmk_Sp7dUj7gqGebVP8h7a-8IXvf5Uos2ZlS7Dtt1XlOaw5A4ehbLGvntjDkibghc-NTeYJ4qwNckvfXd7ZTXDbvg=s0-d)
Hope you enjoy this tutorial and find it useful! Till next time, have a great day!