1st, get a white background to do the sand with. (in paper)

2cnd:get a ball of the colour you want.

*note:if you want a big smooth ball make a little dot with pen then use sizing tool to make it big.

3rd: set a pure white to transparency 0.15 and carefully place the layers in the sand pattern you want.

4th:make sure to put the shading on a second layer, and let the lighting overlap.

5th:make sure to leave bumps for a more sand-like texture, and make sure the ball base colour is a pure colour, like used here.

*note: you don't HAVE to use pure colours, but it helps.

if you close your curtains, it will look better.

idk how but i think i just did something promagma would've done if he discovered it