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  1. Design & Illustration
  2. Adobe Photoshop

100+ Great Photoshop Tutorials for Clever Beginners

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What You'll Be Creating

Before you can start with your Photoshop project ideas, you need to learn the basics. Even the most complex digital artworks are built on a foundation of simple actions. These 100+ cool Photoshop tutorials are aimed at the clever beginner who wants to master Photoshop from the roots.

Unlimited Design Resources for Your Photoshop Projects at Envato Elements

There are a number of ways to make a living with your Photoshop skills. We have a series of articles that explore careers in design and illustration, which is a great starting point to explore after you work more in Photoshop.

Also, as your design skills improve, you can sell graphic components yourself and earn a solid income. We have plenty of professional resources available on Envato Elements, with unlimited downloads for a low monthly price.

Take a look at our awesome range of Photoshop actions and Photoshop brushes, for example. You can use these to bring the "wow" factor to your projects and start building a freelance clientele.

Photoshop addons on Envato ElementsPhotoshop addons on Envato ElementsPhotoshop addons on Envato Elements
Add-ons available on Envato Elements to bring your Photoshop ideas to life. 

Or watch a free course on how to use Photoshop from the ground up. Certified Adobe instructor Daniel Scott teaches tips and tricks for Photoshop beginners with a tutorial that you'll love. Go through all the essential features in more than three hours of easy-to-watch video.

Now let's get into these free lessons for your Photoshop projects!

Text Effects for Cool Photoshop Tutorials

These cool Photoshop tutorials are a great entry point into Layer Styles in Photoshop.  

Photo Manipulation Photoshop Tutorials

Want to improve your Photoshop techniques? These tutorials will help you to achieve your goals.  

Photoshop Techniques for Print Design

Are you looking for new ideas for Photoshop projects? These step-by-step tutorials will help you to make top-quality designs. You'll learn the basics of composition, digital collages, and typography. 

Digital Drawing in Adobe Photoshop

Do you want to learn cool things to do in Photoshop? Try digital drawing. Create your own universe by following these awesome tutorials. Warning, some of them may need a graphics tablet. 

Other Interesting and Cool Photoshop Tutorials

Learn more Photoshop basics with our instructors. 

Clever Ideas for Photoshop: Video Tutorials

I've shown you an awesome selection of free Photoshop tutorials from Tuts+, which I'm sure you've found useful. But, if you prefer to watch cool things to do in Photoshop for beginners in video, I'm here to help you.

The next videos are from our playlist Learn Adobe Photoshop, where you can watch more than 150 cool things to do in Photoshop. And don't forget to check our Envato Tuts+ YouTube channel, where you'll find more fun Photoshop projects.

1. Create a Magical Mermaid Illustration in Photoshop

Have you ever wondered how to draw a mermaid from scratch? For sure, this could make a very fun Photoshop project! Well, this free Photoshop tutorial will teach you how to draw a mermaid tail using the Pen Tool and some photo manipulation. Turn your Photoshop ideas into amazing digital drawings!

2. How to Make a 3D Text Effect in Photoshop

Text effects are really cool things to do in Photoshop. Why don't you take a look at these Photoshop tutorials for beginners and learn how to make a 3D text effect.

3. Create a Living Galaxy Photo Manipulation Effect in Photoshop

Looking for awesome Photoshop projects? What about creating a live galaxy? That's a cool Photoshop idea. Learn how to create stars, galaxies, and nebulas in this free Photoshop tutorial.

4. Create an Instagram Story Template with Adobe Photoshop

Instagram stories can be great Photoshop projects, believe it or not. In these Photoshop tutorials for beginners, you'll learn to quickly create Instagram story templates for your accounts. 

5. How to Create a Cool Glitch Photo Effect in Adobe Photoshop

Speaking about cool things to do in Photoshop, a glitch effect is a pretty nice thing to Photoshop. Check this free Photoshop tutorial and recreate a glitch like the ones you see on television or in video games.

6. How to Make a Halftone Pattern in Photoshop

Halftone patterns can become fun Photoshop projects if you follow our Photoshop tutorials for beginners. Learn how to create a halftone effect in Adobe Photoshop in different ways to achieve the exact look you want.

7. How to Use Layer Masks in Photoshop

If you've got plenty of things to Photoshop, then you need to master the use of masks. Photoshop masks add tons of advantages to your workflow that will help you achieve some of the best photo effects.

8. How to Make a Stop Motion Video in Adobe Photoshop

Looking for Photoshop ideas for your pictures? Learn a simple and useful animation tip with our Photoshop tutorials for beginners.

9. How to Create an Instagram Filter Adobe Photoshop Action

If you'd like to start Instagram filters Photoshop projects, then this free Photoshop tutorial is for you. With a few simple adjustments, you can achieve a cool photo effect like your favorite app in Adobe Photoshop.

10. How to Remove a Person from a Photo

Who hasn't taken a cool picture, only to realize a person is ruining the view? Well, cropping out objects and removing unwanted tourists from pics are some really cool things to do in Photoshop. Just follow our free tutorial and start this fun Photoshop project!

11. How to Make a Glowing Photo Effect to a Portrait in Photoshop

Tribal makeup styles are nice Photoshop ideas to recreate, don't you think? Learn to create this glowing photo effect inspired by African tribal makeup following this free Photoshop tutorial.

12. Create an Abstract Diamond Lens Effect in Adobe Photoshop

There are plenty of cool things to do in Photoshop. What about creating a trippy diamond lens effect? Follow this tutorial and get yourself some cool Photoshop projects!

13. How to Create a Vintage Photo Filter With Adobe Photoshop

You'll find these Photoshop tutorials for beginners pretty easy to follow! In 60 seconds, learn to create your own Photoshop Action for a cool vintage photo effect.

14. How to Decorate Photos with Drawings in Adobe Photoshop

Looking for more things to Photoshop? Then check this fun Photoshop project and learn to decorate pictures with drawings in less than 60 seconds!

15. Blur a Photo's Background with a Custom Photoshop Action

We've got this handy tutorial from our selection of cool things to do in Photoshop. A blurred background is a great way to bring attention to the objects in the foreground. 

16. Create a Haunted Portrait Effect in Photoshop

I've got some pretty unique Photoshop ideas for you. Have you ever wished to create a haunted image? Then this free Photoshop tutorial will give you tons of cool Photoshop projects.

17. How to Create a Kaleidoscope Effect in Adobe Photoshop

We haven't run out of Photoshop ideas for you. This Photoshop tutorial for beginners will teach you how to create a kaleidoscope effect to use in your Photoshop projects.

18. Use a Tattoo Font to Add a Realistic Tattoo to a Photo in Photoshop

Tattoos are interesting things to Photoshop. If you're wondering how a tattoo would look on you or a friend, then follow this useful free tutorial.

19. How to Make a Movie Poster in Photoshop

For cinematography lovers, movie posters are awesome things to Photoshop. This free Photoshop tutorial focuses on creating a gritty post-apocalyptic color grade using adjustment layers.

20. How to Create an Orton Effect Photoshop Action

If you're short on Photoshop ideas, why don't you take a look at this?

The Orton effect is a dreamy glow often added to landscape images to make them look magical. This free Photoshop tutorial will show you how to create an action to recreate the popular Orton effect.

21. BEST Cartoon Effect in Photoshop

Learn how to make an amazing cartoon effect in this step-by-step Photoshop tutorial with Cristi Kerekes.

9 Creative Photoshop Effects From Envato Elements

We've covered a great range of free Photoshop tutorials and effects you can learn with some practice. 

However, if you're short on time, you can always use our premium Photoshop actions and brushes from Envato Elements to give your pictures some cool effects in a few clicks. Let's see them!

1. Double Exposure Photoshop Action (ATN)

Double Exposure Photoshop ActionDouble Exposure Photoshop ActionDouble Exposure Photoshop Action

Double exposure pictures are cool things to Photoshop. Use this Photoshop action to create a double exposure effect in a few clicks. You can add any tone or gradient to your composition to make it stunning!

2. Photoshop Ink Brushes (ABR)

Photoshop Ink BrushesPhotoshop Ink BrushesPhotoshop Ink Brushes

Looking for Photoshop ideas? Check this complete set of Photoshop brushes, which includes a total of 36 brushes, divided into 3 different categories: regular brushes (for ink sketches and illustrations), ink washes, and ink stain stamps.

3. Sand Dust / Powder Explosion Photoshop Action (ATN, ABR)

Sand Dust  Powder Explosion Photoshop ActionSand Dust  Powder Explosion Photoshop ActionSand Dust  Powder Explosion Photoshop Action

Get this creative Photoshop action and give your pictures a dramatic sand effect! This best-selling action also includes a video tutorial link, so you'll learn in detail how to complete this fun Photoshop project.

4. Watercolor Brushes for Photoshop (ABR, PNG)

Watercolor Brushes for PhotoshopWatercolor Brushes for PhotoshopWatercolor Brushes for Photoshop

This is one of our favorite sets of Photoshop brushes because it's very complete and easy to use. This Photoshop project includes: 

  • 15 watercolor hand-drawn brushes 
  • 15 flora and fauna elements on transparent background 
  • 2 backgrounds with floral elements 

5. Retro Photo Kit (ATN, PNG)

Retro Photo KitRetro Photo KitRetro Photo Kit

Give your pictures a retro look! This kit gives you 15 cool film Photoshop actions, 10 beautiful light leaks, an easy date stamp generator, and a retro font.

6. Plastic Photoshop Stamp Brushes (ABR)

Plastic Photoshop Stamp BrushesPlastic Photoshop Stamp BrushesPlastic Photoshop Stamp Brushes

Use these Photoshop brushes to give your image a realistic look. This set comes with 30 Brushes inside, 2500 pixels size, and works with any Photoshop version! These brushes will give a cool look to all your Photoshop projects and ideas. 

7. Dissolve Photoshop Action (ATN)

Dissolve Photoshop ActionDissolve Photoshop ActionDissolve Photoshop Action

We've got more Photoshop ideas! What about this cool dispersion effect? Dissolve and disperse parts of your photo! Simply brush over the areas that you want to dissolve, choose the direction of liquid dispersion, and just play the action.

8. Vintage Painter Photoshop Action (ABR, ATN, PAT)

Vintage Painter Photoshop ActionVintage Painter Photoshop ActionVintage Painter Photoshop Action

Use this Photoshop action to create a professional painting effect of watercolor and vintage looks. The final result will include fully editable layers, colors, and elements.

9. Splatter Stamp Photoshop Brushes (ABR)

Splatter Stamp Photoshop BrushesSplatter Stamp Photoshop BrushesSplatter Stamp Photoshop Brushes

This set of 15 splatter stamp brushes will come in very handy when you're looking for cool things to do in Photoshop. Don't hesitate to add it to your collection.

Conclusion

We hope you enjoyed these Photoshop basics and tutorials. 

Still craving more inspiration and Photoshop ideas? Then check our incredible collection of Photoshop effects and Photoshop add-ons to transform your photos through Envato Elements.

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