Final
Now we just need to create some sparkles and we're done. Create a new layer above the 'highlights' layer and call it 'sparkles'. Using the Paintbrush Tool again, select a brush that is 35 pixels in diameter and 0% hardness. Remember, if you don't have a brush like this, you can edit any of the brushes in the Brushes Palette by double clicking on it. With 'sparkles' the active layer, dot some of the highlight areas with white paint as in figure 35.

You can also go back over each highlight again using the 'Sparkle' Brush found in the Brushes Pallete. If it is not visible in the Brushes Palette, you can load it by selecting the small arrow at the left corner of the Brushes Palette and selecting Load Brushes from the Option Menu. You will find a file in the Photoshop/Goodies/Brushes folder called 'Assorted Brushes.abr'. Select this file and click Load. Use this brush to finish off the effect as in the last image in figure 35.

The final result is a very convincing, photo realistic image of water on blue tiles. It may have seemed like a long way to get to this point, but once you get this down, you can crank out this effect in about 15 minutes. Save your steps to an Action and you can apply in no time flat! Have fun!!!

Previous

Figure 35
Image #1 shows a droplet with no painted glare. Image #2 is the droplet after being painted with white using a soft brush. Image #3 is the droplet after being painted in white using the 'Sparkle' brush.

Water.psd (sparkles)

Figure 36
The final result. An image that uses background, glow, shadow, refraction, water, highlight and sparkle layers to create the illusion of water.