NOTE: you MAY link to this tut. you MAY print it out for later use offline. you MAY NOT claim it as yours or take anything else from it. this tutorial is ©Ruby/Stormlight, written April 24, 2016.


-- Jazzy's basic drop shadow setting of 2, 2, 50, 3 and color black.
-- the plugin Lokas Gel.
-- mask of choice.  I am using a mask by weescotslass.
-- font of choice.  I am using Bubbly.





1.  Choose a frame or large background element with open spaces (I chose the net "fence").  Duplicate file and use this as your canvas.

2.  Paste in your tube.  Resize as needed and apply drop shadow.

3.   Paste in two papers of opposing colors  as your bottom-most layers.  Apply the mask to each.  Merge group on each mask layer and then move one paper slightly to the right so that both masks show.

4.  Time for some elements.  Names/numbers apply to the scrap kit I'm using so if you're using a different one, use the elements of your choice.  All elements are resized with the smart size setting.  Remember to apply drop shadow after each element is placed unless otherwise marked:

73 (sea grass) - 55%.  duplicate once.
66 (sea leaves) - 45%.  duplicate once and place these layers under and around tube.
64 (coral) - 50%.  place behind tube.
84 (octopus) - 55%.
80 (seahorse) - 35%. 
74 (shell) - 50%.
3 (angelfish school) - duplicate once.  resize one layer to 25% and the other to 50%.  place the smaller copy close to your tube.  take the larger copy and mirror it, then remove 1-2 of the fish with your freeform tool and re-paste them in, placing at random.
83 (bottle) - 55%. 
72 (comb) - 30%.

5.  Create a new raster layer.  Type your name and place it to your liking.  In your plugins menu, go to Lokas > Gel and apply the following settings:  colors - from your tube or kit, angle - 365, highlight opacity - 41, shadow opacity - 72.

6.  Apply basic drop shadow but raise opacity to 85.

7.  Create a new layer for your copyright/watermark and add it on.