Stock download links are in the description.
Duplicate the background. CTRL + J.
I'm going to rename this layer > Liquify.
Head up to Filter > Liquify.
Select the Forward Warp Tool.
Density 100.
I'm going to warp the model outwards.
This is going to determine the size of the effect.
I will speed this part up!
Once you're done. Hit OK.
Head down and create a new layer.
Drag it below the liquify layer.
I'm going to rename this layer to Pixels.
Then select the top layer.
Right click > Create a clipping mask.
Head back down and create a new layer.
Head over and select the Rectangular Marquee Tool.
Change the Style > Fixed Ratio.
Create a basic square.
Right click in the center > Fill.
Contents > Black. Then hit OK.
Head up to Edit > Define Brush Preset.
I'm going to rename this brush to Pixel Brush.
Then hit OK.
Delete the top layer > Click and drag into "Delete layer"
Head over and select the Brush Tool. (B)
Select the brush we just created.
Then head down and create a new layer.
We'll use this layer temporarily to finalize our brush.
Click on the Brush Panel.
Click on Brush Tip Shape.
Brush size: 40 px.
Spacing checked > 400%.
Click on Shape Dynamics.
Size Jitter 90%.
Click on Scattering.
Scatter about 815%.
Your brush should look something like this.
CTRL + Z to undo.
Head down and select create a new brush.
Then just hit OK.
Then hit close.
Go ahead and delete this layer.
Click on our Pixel layer.
Start adding the pixels with the brush we created.
Just simply, click and drag.
Try not to overlap the pixels.
I will speed this part up, to save you time.
CTRL + Z to undo.
When you're done, select our bottom layer.
Then head down and create a new layer.
Select the Brush Tool. (B)
Select a brush with soft edges.
Hold i down to select the Eye Dropper Tool.
Click to select your background color.
Carefully blend the models legs.
We'll be adding pixels over this area.
When you're done, select the Pixel layer.
Select our Pixel brush we created.
Start adding pixels where the models legs use to be.
Once again, try not to overlap the pixels.
I will speed this part up.
CTRL + 0 to zoom back out.
Make sure the Pixel layer is selected.
Head down and select FX > Blending Options.
Click on drop shadow.
Opacity about 15%.
Size about 10px.
Then hit OK.
Select our top layer.
Then head down and create a new layer.
Add more pixels, using white as your foreground color.
(B) to select the Brush Tool.
CTRL + Click on the layer we just created.
This will make a selection of the pixels we just created.
Go ahead and delete the top layer.
Make sure you're on the Liquify layer.
Then hit CTRL + J to duplicate the selection.
I'm going to rename this layer to More Pixels.
Right click > Convert to Smart Object.
Then head down to FX > Drop Shadow.
We'll use the same settings as we set before.
Then hit OK.
Head over and select the Move Tool. (V)
Positon the new pixels as you wish.
Duplicate the top layer > CTRL + J.
Using your Move Tool. Positon the new layer as you'd like.
CTRL + T to select the pixels.
While holding SHIFT down, drag a corner to resize.
Hit Enter to accept changes.
CTRL + J to duplicate the pixel layer.
Using your Move Tool again, position the new pixels.
Hit Enter to accept changes.
I will continue adding more pixels using the method I've shown you.
I will speed this part up.
CTRL + J to duplicate. Move Tool to Move.
When you're done make sure the top layer is selected.
Hold SHIFT down and select the bottom pixel layer.
This will select all our top pixel layers.
Group all layers, CTRL + G.
Create a new layer > Rename it Color Dodge.
Change the Blending Mode > Color Dodge.
Select the Brush Tool. (B)
Select our pixel brush.
Hold i to select the Eye Dropper Tool.
Click to sample a color.
Start adding more pixels.
Hold i to select the Eye Dropper Tool.
Continue adding more pixels.
This will add different pixel colors.
I will speed this part up.
Select our Liquify layer.
Head over and select the Rectangular Marquee Tool.
Add to selection checked.
Style: Fixed Ratio.
Create larger pixels.
We'll be blurring these pixels.
When you're done, CTRL + J to duplicate.
Drag the new layer to the top.
I'm going to rename this layer to Large Pixels.
Head up to Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur.
Radius 8.5 Pixels > Then OK.
Make sure your top layer is selected.
CTRL + SHIFT + ALT + E (Merge all visible layers)
I'm going to rename this new layer to Merged.
Head up to Filter > Sharpen > Sharpen More.
The pixels are a lot more noticeable when sharpened.
I'm going to add a background texture.
Using your Move Tool drag and drop onto our project.
Change the Blending Mode > Multiply.
Then drop the opacity to about 15%.
That's it! I hope you enjoyed!