1.Create a new image or use any of your own. Create a new layer and and select
the Elliptical Marquee Tool (the circle selection tool :)). Create a circle by holding
down Shift (this will cause Constrained Proportions) for example around 50~100 pixels.

2. Now select Gradient Tool. Press D then X so you can change the colors to White and
Black. Now use the default gradient preset and select the type of gradient to be Radial.
Fill the circle with it so you have something like this:



3.Now use Image-Adjust-Hue/Saturation and change the color of the circle. For example I used
blue as always :). But keep in mind not to alter the Lightness slider. We will need the white and black
spots on the image for the next step:


4. Now comes the tricky, but original part of the tutorial! For this step you must have a steady hand and
a good mouse! Select Image-Liquify. Play around with the tools. First select a big brush around 60~70 px.
to enlarge the image and give it the shape you want. Than select smaller brushes and drag from the white
to create the upper forms that are hit by the light. Than do the same with black part of the image. You may
give it different shapes, depending on your needs. Look at these images I made here for inspiration and
getting the *idea* of the tutorial.

.::tentacle form::.

.::smooth rectangle-like form::.

.::fishy fishy fishy::.

I hope you got the idea... I will not show you more images, my new site will be filled with such :))
Hope to see some of your here :) !!


This technique is very easy, although some of you may get the same effect only with brushing. But for
less skilled authors I think this technique will be real gold! Well it was for me a couple of years when I
absolutely accidentally found it ;^) !!!