Create an Underwater Dreamscape in Photoshop

Set this layer to soft light blending at low opacity 0f 20%.

Step 5

Proceed to add a model to the scene. Open the model image. Take the pen tool (P). With the tool, cut out the model from the image.

Step 6

Add the cut out to the main scene. Scale its size to the size as much as it is proper. Position the model in the middle of the scene under the light rays.

Step 7

In the next several steps we will create hair to the model. Firstly, take the pen tool (P) and create paths. The paths given in the screenshot is just an example, so we might not exactly create the same paths as the example below.

After creating paths, be active in path panel (window > path). Open the path menu, and choose Save Path.

Now we have path saved as path 1. We need to save this path to re-use it in the next steps.

Create a new layer (Shift+Ctrl+N) above the model layer on which we will paint the hair. Name this layer, say, hair 1. Make sure to set the brush tool (B) to round brush with a size of about 7 pixels at 0% hardness and 100% opacity. Set the shape dynamics of the brush to Pen Pressure control in the Brush panel (F5). Set the foreground color to #1e1210. Now open the path menu and choose Stroke Path. Use the brush tool to stroke the paths and checkmark Simulate Pressure.

Duplicate the hair 1 layer. Move the duplicate to the lower position at the model’s back. Take the Free Transform tool (Ctrl+T) and warp the duplicate layer to alter its shape.

Select the original hair 1 layer and give it a layer mask (layer > Layer mask > reveal all). Mask some hair in red highlight.

Mask the duplicate layer as well to hide the hair on the left arm.

Step 8

Create another new layer (Shift+Ctrl+N) between the original hair1 and the duplicate layer. Name this layer, say, hair 2. Using given paths, paint highlight of the hair by stroking the paths. Use the color of #8e2c10.

Set this layer to normal at about 8-10% opacity. This will give a reddish brown highlights to the hair.

Step 9

Now create again a new layer above all the other hair layers. Name this layer, say, hair 3. With a smaller brush with a size of 3-4 pixels and color #662f16, stroke the path to paint more highlights.

Given this amount of color, set this layer to normal at 5-7% opacity. This will give more highlights to the hair.

Step 10

Finally, create another new layer above the hair 3 layer. On this layer, stroke the same paths with a smaller brush of 1 pixels with lighter brown color.

Given this amount of color, set this layer to normal at about 15% opacity.

In a similar way, create more hair strands to the model.

Here is the result so far. Select the model and all the hair layers. Hit Ctrl+E to merge them into a single layer. Name this new layer, say, model.

Step 11

Proceed to give this model some retouching on the skin and dress. Go to filter > camera raw. Prior to giving it the filter, convert this layer into a smart object by going to layer > smart objects > convert to smart object. Use the value below:

Given this values, the result should be like this: