Quote - My newer technique involves using some math to simulate the bending of light, without actually relying on a curved, displaced surface. But it's very tricky math, and the material room nodes don't quite give me all I need to fully accomplish the effect.

I'm interested in seeing an example, could you post a picture? I've thought about mapping an animated displacement map that will create the water droplet formation and eventual downward movement thru the skin but I might be way over my head here.

I don't know how they did it but Beowulf was very succesful doing water runing down the skin.