The underwater world is very amazing, and in this lesson we will move to the underwater kingdom, using our imagination! In this tutorial, you will learn how to create a beautiful underwater scene using a single source image. We will create a mermaid, draw a tail for it, and also add air bubbles. Read this lesson and learn how to create amazing underwater photo manipulation!
Stages of the lesson
We will start by creating an underwater scene using a single image. Next we draw a beautiful tail to the mermaid. After that we will add underwater bubbles, creating them from a sketch. In conclusion, we will carry out a final correction to combine all the colors. To complete this tutorial, you will need Photoshop CS 5.5 or later.
Note: The author in the original materials is not an image of the fish. In the archive you will find an alternative image from the translator.
Final result:
Step 1
Let’s start by creating a new document, let’s go File – New (File> New).
Step 2
Add a new adjustment layer Colour (Solid Color). This will be our background. I used color shade # 16505a, but you can choose any other shade for your work :).
Step 3
Create a new layer, go Layer – New Layer (Layer> New> Layer) or press hotkeys (Shift + Ctrl + N). Press the (D) key to set the default colors, black and white, in the color picker. Next, go Filter – Rendering – Clouds (Filter> Render> Clouds).
Step 4
Apply Filter – Blur – Gaussian Blur (Filter> Blur> Gaussian blur). And then change the blending mode for the cloud layer to Soft light (Soft light).
Step 5
In the underwater environment, light comes from above. The bottom of the image should be darker, so add a new adjustment layer. Gradient fill (gradient fill). Set gradient type Linear (linear), gradient colors from black to transparent, as shown in the screenshot below.
Decrease Opacity (Opacity) adjustment layer with a gradient of up to 55%.
Step 6
In the settings of the color picker, set a dark turquoise color (# 16505a). Add another new adjustment layer. Gradient fill (gradient fill), but this time set the gradient type Radial (radial)
Change the blending mode for this adjustment layer to Multiplication (Multiply), and also reduce the layer opacity to 55%. This is done so that the main part of the image remains bright.
Step 7
Open an image with an underwater scene, move this image into our working paper. Change the blending mode for this layer to Lightening basics (Color dodge), and also reduce the layer opacity to 53% – we will use the underwater particles that are in this image.
Step 8
You can see a coarse flash of light at the top of the image. Let’s try to fix it. Click on the layer layer mask (to the right of the layer thumbnail). Using a large soft brush, gently hide the problem area.
Step 9
Next, we will create rays of light. Create a new layer, go Layer – New Layer (Layer> New> Layer) or press hotkeys (Shift + Ctrl + N). Choose a large soft brush, brush color is blue – or choose a brush color to your liking – try to make the brush color solid (if you do not know which color to use, use the Adobe Kuler tool). Draw a big dot on the image as shown in the screenshot below.
Step 10
Transform the painted spot as shown in the screenshot below. Move the beam of light upward. Just press the keys (ctrl + T) and play with the control points :).
Step 11
Repeat Steps 9-10. Add more light rays. I created five rays of light. Do not use the same color cast. Change the blending mode for layers with rays to Lightening (screen).
Step 12
It’s time for small bubbles. Load brushes Sparks follow the link at the beginning of this tutorial. Choose a tool Brush (brush tool). In the settings brush click on the icon in the form of a triangle located at the top. In the menu that appears, select the option Download brushes... (Load Brushes …). Loaded brushes should appear at the end of the brush selection menu.
Step 13
Create a new layer. Using a Sparkle brush, add bubbles to the center of the image. I used a light green tint. Do not overdo it with the number of bubbles, as the effect may look ugly.
Since the bubbles are too bright, change the blending mode for the layer with bubbles to Linear clarifier (Add) (Linear Dodge (Add)), and also reduce Opacity (Opacity) layer up to 18%.
Step 14
Create a new layer. Next, we’ll add larger bubbles. Increase the size of the Spark brush. Draw a few strokes from the bottom to the middle, and then from the top to the left.
Change the blending mode for this layer to Linear clarifier (Add) (Linear Dodge (Add)), and also reduce Opacity (Opacity) layer up to 6%.
Step 15
It’s time to add a model image to our scene! 
Move the model image into our working paper. Use the layer mask to hide the background. Use a hard round brush to correct the edges of the model image. Using a soft round brush, create a linear gradient by processing the bottom of the model image.
Step 16
The original image of the model is too bright for the underwater scene. Create a new layer on top of the model layer. Right-click on this adjustment layer and in the appeared window select the option Create clipping mask (Create clipping mask). Using a soft round brush, the brush size is about 60px, brush color # 65585a, paint over the overexposed areas of the image.
Change the blending mode for this layer to Multiplication (Multiply) and also reduce Opacity (Opacity) layer up to 62%.
Step 17
It’s time to fix the contrast of the image with the model. Add a correction layer to the model layer. Brightness / Contrast (Brightness / Contrast). Apply the settings shown in the screenshot below. Right-click on this adjustment layer and in the appeared window select the option Create clipping mask (Create clipping mask).
Step 18
Next, we need to add more realistic colors. First, add an adjustment layer. Color Balance (Color Balance) as a clipping mask.
Step 19
In the color picker, choose a turquoise hue. Add another adjustment layer. Gradient (Gradient Fill). Right-click on this adjustment layer and in the appeared window select the option Create clipping mask (Create clipping mask).
Change the blending mode for this adjustment layer to Multiplication (Multiply) and also reduce Opacity (Opacity) layer up to 25%.
Step 20
Add another adjustment layer. Hue / Saturation (Hue / Saturation). Also convert this adjustment layer to a clipping mask!
Step 21
Next, we will add shadows. Create a new layer as a clipping mask. Using a soft round brush, the color of the brush is dark gray, draw shadows on the model’s stomach, as well as on her hands.
Change the blending mode for this layer with the shadows to Multiplication (Multiply) and also reduce Opacity (Opacity) layer up to 50%.
Step 22
So we created the shadows. Now let’s add some light highlights. Create a new layer also as a clipping mask. Choose a light shade. Using a soft brush, add light highlights to the model’s hands, arms, and head. Consider the direction of the light source.
For better alignment, change the blending mode for this layer to Lightening (Screen). The image has become more natural.
Step 23
Color shades still require correction. Let’s try to fix them! Add an adjustment layer Gradient (Gradient fill) as a clipping mask. The same gradient as in Step 19. Apply the settings shown in the screenshot below. Change the blending mode for this adjustment layer to Chromaticity (Color) and also reduce Opacity (Opacity) layer up to 50%.
Step 24
Once again create a new layer as a clipping mask. Use the same brush as in Step 22. The color of brush is # 257775, or – if you are using other color shades, then choose the dark tone of the color tone that you used in step 22. Paint highlights on the hands and chest.
Change the blending mode for this layer to Lightening (Screen).
Step 25
Wow The correction model was long :). Now we are going to create a tail for a mermaid. Create a new layer. Using a hard round brush (I recommend using a large brush size), draw a base for the mermaid’s tail. Keep calm – this is just the shape of the tail.
Step 26
Load brushes Scales (if you don’t know how to load a brush, see Step 12). Create a new layer to the layer with the tail as a clipping mask (right-click> Create clipping mask (Create clipping mask). Set a dark blue color, and then let’s add scales to the tail!
Step 27
Right-click on the created layer and in the appeared window select the option Overlay options (Blending options). Next, select a layer style. Stamping (Bevel and Emboss) – scales will become more convex!
Step 28
Create a new layer. Right-click on this layer and in the appeared window select the option Create clipping mask (Create clipping mask). Being on a new layer, we have to draw the shadows to the tail. Using a large soft brush, carefully draw the shadows. To create shadows, I preferred a brush with high opacity.
Step 29
Next, we will add light highlights to the image of the tail. Create a new layer as a clipping mask. Choose a light shade for the brush. Do not forget about the light source!
Step 30
This step is optional. Repeat Step 29. Increase brush size, paint larger reflections on the tail. Decrease Opacity (Opacity) of this layer up to 50%.
Step 31
Go back to the layer with painted scales. Duplicate this layer (drag the selected layer to the bottom of the layers panel on the icon New layer (New layer)). Move the duplicate layer to the top, placing it on top of all layers. If the duplicate layer is not attached to the main layer, then once again convert this duplicate layer into a clipping mask.
Step 32
Go back to the layer with the tail. Open the original image with fish. Move this image to our working paper. Apply the transformation to the image as shown in the screenshot below.
Step 33
Hide part of the image with a layer mask. Hide the second fish in the image, as well as unnecessary areas of the image of the first fish. Leave only the fin. Apply a hard brush at the base of the fin. For the central part of the fin, use a soft brush.
Step 34
The colors of the created tail do not match the colors of the entire scene. Add a correction layer to the fin layer Hue / Saturation (Hue / Saturation) as a clipping mask.
Step 35
Next, we must remove the shades of yellow / orange / brown from the surface of the fin. Add adjustment layer Color Balance (Color Balance) to a layer with a flipper as a clipping mask.
Step 36
Once again, add a stock image with a small fish to our working paper, placing this fish layer on top of all other layers. Position the image of the fish, as shown in the screenshot below.
Step 37
Hide unnecessary parts of the image using a layer mask. Leave only the upper fin. Using a soft brush, align the top fin with the mermaid’s tail.
Step 38
The color of the upper fin, of course, does not match the color shades of our mermaid. To correct this, add a correction layer. Color Balance (Color balance). Right-click on this layer and in the appeared window select the option Create clipping mask (Create clipping mask).
Step 39
Add adjustment layer Hue / Saturation (Hue / Saturation) as a clipping mask. We will change the overall color of the upper fin.
Step 40
In my opinion, the transition between the upper fin and the image of a mermaid is too big. Let’s fix it. Using a pipette, get a sample of the color tone from the mermaid’s tail, and then use the brush at the base of the upper fin.
Decrease Opacity (Opacity) of this layer up to 50%.
Step 41
Next, we have to draw the hair. Create a new layer, and then draw individual hair locks. Use a soft 2px brush. Do not forget to vary the color shades – I used shades of turquoise and black.
Step 42
Now we will create the outline. Brush color is light turquoise. Draw a few strokes on the tail of a mermaid!
Step 43
Fine! Create another new layer. We need to refine the mermaid swimsuit. Draw dangling ribbons using a soft 2px brush. At the ends of each ribbon, draw white dots – as if they were pearls!
Step 44
Next, I’ll show you how to draw underwater bubbles. Let’s get started! Create a new layer. Choose a hard round brush with a diameter of 60px. Use this brush to draw a point anywhere.
Step 45
Choose a tool Eraser
(erase tool). Install a soft brush, the brush size is the same as before – 60px. Hide the center point.
Step 46
It’s time to add highlights. Using a small hard round brush, add a few highlights to the created underwater bubble.
Step 47
Choose a hard brush, the brush size is the same as in Step 44. Set the brush opacity to about 8%. Draw a few points. Use shades of blue or green.
Step 48
Finally, draw a white glow around the bubble. Using a soft round brush with an opacity of about 23%, the brush size is 19px, the brush color is white, add a few strokes to the upper left edge, and then add smaller strokes to the lower right edge of the bubble.
Step 49
So, our underwater bubble is ready. Transform it into a Smart Object in case of an endless correction :). To convert a layer to a smart object, right-click on the layer and in the appeared window select the option Convert to Smart Object (Convert to Smart Object).
Step 50
Next, duplicate the created bubble. To do this, drag the selected layer to the bottom of the layers panel on the icon New layer (New layer). Apply the transformation to the duplicate layer (Ctrl + T). Repeat the procedure several times.
Step 51
If you have too many layers, simply select all the layers with bubbles, then right-click on the selected layers and in the appeared window select the option Transform at Smart-an object(Convert to Smart Object). Now you can freely transform a group of bubbles at once.
Step 52
You can also play with smart filters. I used a filter Gaussian blur (Gaussian blur), let’s go Filter – Blur – Gaussian Blur (Filter> Blur> Gaussian blur).
Step 53
Now, to make a combination of color shades, add an adjustment layer. Gradient (Gradient fill) on top of all layers.
Change the blending mode for this adjustment layer to Overlap (Overlay) and also reduce Opacity (Opacity) layer up to 20%.
Step 54
Now I will show you how to add depth to the image. Create a new layer. Set the foreground color to black and the background color to dark green. Apply Filter – Rendering – Clouds (Filter> Render> Clouds).
Change the blending mode for this cloud layer to Soft light (Soft Light), and also reduce Opacity (Opacity) layer up to 20%.
Let’s go Filter – Blur – Gaussian Blur (Filter> Blur> Gaussian blur).
Step 55
This step is optional. Create a new layer. Select Spark Brush. Draw underwater air bubbles around the mermaid image. Brush color is white.
Change the blending mode for this layer to Soft light (Soft light). The bubbles will acquire the color shades of the entire image.
Step 56
Create another new layer. Using the same brush (Spark brush, brush color is white), increase the brush size, draw some bubbles around the mermaid’s tail.
Change the blending mode for this layer to Bright light (Vivid light). And also reduce Opacity (Opacity) layer up to 33%.
Step 57
Next, we need to correct the Contrast / Brightness of the entire scene. Add adjustment layer Contrast / Brightness (Brightness / Contrast).
Step 58
Optional – add adjustment layer Hue / Saturation (Hue / Saturation) to correct all color shades.
Step 59
Set the foreground color to green or blue (at your discretion!), Add an adjustment layer Gradient (Gradient fill).
Finally, change the blending mode for this adjustment layer to Multiplication (Multiply).
Congratulations, we have completed the lesson! You are great! Thank you for being with me.
Final result
