1. Design & Illustration

Design & Illustration Learning Guides

Discover our selections of the best free design tutorials on a range of topics, all in one place. If you want to brush up your Photoshop skills or learn a new piece of software like Adobe XD, you’ll find learning guides here to help you do that. Or maybe you want something more specialised, like learning how to draw textures or how to paint hair. We’ve got guides to help you with that too.

Just browse through the list and click on a topic that interests you to discover more and to find links to our hand-picked selection of free tutorials, designed to teach you that new skill or software as easily and enjoyably as possible.

  1. Create Leather Shoes in Maya

    2 Posts
    This series covers creating a formal pair of leather shoes in Maya. You'll start by creating a low poly model and then add further details to it. With the model complete, you'll move onto UVMapping, Texturing, Lighting and finally compositing the final image in Photoshop.
    View Learning Guide...
  2. Intro to Photoshop Layer Styles

    11 Posts
    Photoshop Layer Styles are a popular way to add effects, such as drop shadows and strokes, to layers in a non-destructive way. In this Session, we'll show you how to use Layer Styles in Photoshop, how to create Layer Styles and all the different options available to master them!
    View Learning Guide...
  3. Introduction to Photoshop CS6

    29 Posts
    Photoshop CS6 has finally arrived. It has come packed with new features and tweaks that will significantly improve your workflow and enhance your tool set. In this series we will take a look at some of Photoshop CS6’s new features and show you how they work.
    View Learning Guide...
  4. Model, Map and Texture a Ballistic Shield with 3D Studio Max

    3 Posts
    In this tutorial series, you’ll Model, UVMap and Texture a high poly Ballistic Shield in 3d Studio Max 2012. Throughout the project you’ll make extensive use of many of Max’s built in modeling tools and modifiers to create the shield. Once you have the high-res model constructed, you’ll go through a manual optimization process to significantly reduce the poly count before moving onto uvmapping and texturing.
    View Learning Guide...
  5. Vector Portraits

    16 Posts
    Learning to draw the human figure and create stunning vector portraits can be an arduous task. Working with models, or photo references, finding the right pose, using just the right blend effect for skin, the correct vector brush for hair, are all subtle skills needed for the vector portrait artist.
    View Learning Guide...