Painting in Photoshop - The Basics

by Nykolai Aleksander

Index of Full tutorial with contents below:

Basic PS Settings

• Scratch Disk Settings
• Opening a new file & Canvas Settings
• Changing Colours
• Canvas Sizes
• Docking Palettes

PS Brushes

• Which Brushes to use?
• Basic settings
• Installing Brush Sets
• Loading Brush Sets
• Making Custom Brushes

Drawing Tablet

• Changing settings
• Getting used to the pen - exercises

Use of Colour

• Grass isn't always green
• Colour Theory (by Socar Myles)

The Use of Layers

• The Meaning of Icons
• Creating Layers & naming them
• Moving Layers in the Palette
• Merge Visible Layers
• Merge Linked Layers
• Layer Sets
• From Scan to Transparent Layer
• Transforming Layers
• Flatten Layers

Painting

• Do I need to be able to draw to paint in PS?
• Pre-painting sketches - yes or no?
• Basic detailed painting steps
• Saving your Painting
• Special: Evil Tools

One last piece of warning: If you are hoping for a magic solution, there is none. You will not become a great painter overnight - it takes some time, patience and practice.