How to Create a Rainy Window Scene with Adobe Photoshop

In this tutorial, I'll show you how to create a rainy window scene. First, we'll add and retouch the window and then paint the background using several colors. Later, we'll paint the raindrops and import the leaf. After that, we'll add the vase, flowers and paint the water. We'll use several adjustment layers to complete the final effect.

Preview of the Final Result

Tutorial Resources

Step 1

Create a new 2200 x1366 px document in Photoshop and fill it with white. Go to Layer > New Fill Layer > Solid Color and pick the color #cbd5d9.

Step 2

Open the window image and use the Polygonal Lasso Tool (L) to select the frame part on both sides of the window. Drag this part into our main canvas using the Move Tool (V) and show the left and lower frame parts only.

Step 3

Use the Polygonal Lasso Tool to select the rail on the left frame in the original image to add to the left one in the main document.

Step 4

Use the Polygonal Lasso Tool to select a rail part on the lower of the window frame from the original image to add to our existing one. Duplicate this layer and move it to the right.

Click the second icon at the bottom of the Layers panel to add a mask to this layer. On this layer mask, activate the Brush Tool (B) and select a hard round one with black color. Use this brush to remove a small detail on the upper part of the rail.

Step 5

Use the Polygonal Lasso Tool to select the rail part on the right of the frame from the origin and add to the right of the rail of the existing window.

Step 6

On this rail part layer, go to Layer > New Curves Adjustment Layer > Curves and set it as Clipping Mask. Increase the light and contrast of this rail a bit to fit the rest of the window.

Step 7

Make a new layer and select the Clone Tool (S). Use this tool to fix some unwanted details on the window frames.

Step 8

On the window layer, use the Rectangular Marquee Tool (M) to select a part on the lower part of the window frame and hit Ctrl+C to copy this part. Make a new layer on top of the layers and hit Ctrl+V to paste this selected part into this new layer. Move it to the right to hide the part with a hole on the right of the window frame.

Add a mask to this layer and use a soft black brush to blend this part with the existing surface.

Step 9

Create a Curves adjustment layer (set as Clipping Mask) to darken this part a bit to match its lightness with the existing surface.

Step 10

Select all of the window, frames, rails, cloning and the Curves adjustment ones and hit Ctrl+G to make a group for them. Change the group's mode to Normal 100% and make a Hue/Saturation adjustment layer within this group. Bring the Saturation values down to -82:

Step 11

Create a Color Balance adjustment layer and change the Midtones settings:

Step 12

Add a Curves adjustment layer and reduce the lightness. On this layer mask, use a soft black brush with the opacity about 50% to reduce the dark effect as the screenshot below shows.

Make another Curves adjustment layer and increase the light. On this layer mask, use a soft black brush to reduce the light effect on some parts which are bright enough.