Okay, I'm not the photoshop buff but I've used it for about two years...but not seriously. I need to create a blood puddle or like an effect of dried blood underneath my friend Matt's body. I've posted a pic for an example I'd like to work around...Thanks for any help! Jordan

This is all I came up with...if it's what you're looking for...I'll tell you how. It's more of a stain that a puddle. Sorry for the semi-unrealism. I did it in a rush.

Poor Matt.....

;)

kinda quick but is it close to what you had in mind??

:)
retrocity

but that's just me...

Here's more of a puddle approach...

Thanks guys, but what Cinema was doing is just about what I want to do...how? :)

Make a new layer and draw the outline of the puddle, filling it with red, add a bit of noise and a slight gaussian blur. Use the burn tool to put some highlights on the near edge of the puddle. Duplicate the original image on two layers, one above and one below the puddle layer, and cut away the top image to reveal the puddle beneath. Use the dodge tool to place some shadows from the body on the puddle, then reduce the opacity of the puddle layer slightly to give a little bit of transparency.

sorry if i posted this twice, didnt see it come up the first time only a quick go but more ideas to try. i added a new layer, drew the puddle then used layer -> layer style to add a smooth inner bevel. then used the smudge tool to smudge the edges. turned off that layer, added a layer above it then used to eye dropper tool to pick the colour of the shadow from the original layer then painted it on the new layer. im thinking there may be a way to paint the shadow on useing the history brush or clone tool (? anybody)but i cant think of it this late (or early)

YUK! now I have seen it all.....even though it's not real that gross :-)

here's my shot @ it.

retocity, Wow! in just a few quick brush strokes too - when I first saw that I was a little shocked at how it caught my eye and how well it fooled me for just a moment. Neat trick! Thanks! - TJ