Creative Photoshop: Digital Illustration and Art Techniques, covering Photoshop CS3 (Digital Workflow) (Paperback)

by Derek Lea (Author)
Key Phrases: creating characters, press enter, ageing effects, Illustrative Photography, Type Control, Unconventional Methods (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"Derek's work, and the approach he takes to explaining his techniques, are excellent. His ideas are innovative, his methodology unique, and the results are breathtaking." Steve Caplin, UK based digital illustrator, author of How to Cheat in Photoshop --Steve Caplin, UK based digital illustrator, author of How to Cheat in Photoshop

Review
"Derek's work, and the approach he takes to explaining his techniques, are excellent. His ideas are innovative, his methodology unique, and the results are breathtaking." Steve Caplin, UK based digital illustrator, author of How to Cheat in Photoshop



"If you're a buddy illustrator or cartoonist and want to make Photoshop mre productive in your work flow, this book has some good lessons for you."
"If you're a photographer and want to add some interesting effects to your work, here's a place to start."
-Photoshop User

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Focal Press (July 23, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0240520467
• ISBN-13: 978-0240520469
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 7.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #309,901 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Phenomenal!, December 31, 2007

By	Eric A. Mann (Beaverton, OR USA) - See all my reviews

I purchased this book on a whim and was pleasantly surprised by the quality of its content. Lea takes readers step by step through simple and very complex design techniques. His instructions are easy to follow and, unlike many other Photoshop books I have picked up, just as easy to apply to other projects!

Having access to the author through the reader forum on the book website makes this an even more useful tool. Any tips that might seem vague are easily explained by the man who wrote the book - and other readers that have overcome similar problems. I have worked through several books on Photoshop, but this has been the best by far!

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Cool... depending on who you are an artist or a photoshop user to begin with..., October 7, 2008

By	S. Rose - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I picked up Martin Evening's book on Photoshop for Photographers from this series and I was just blown away with how good it was, so I picked up this one thinking it would help me expand my artistic side. I wasn't as excited. It's not that there is anything wrong with this book, it's just a little misleading I think from some of the descriptions I read prior to purchase. This book is GREAT if you are an artist by nature already and want to transition into a digital work flow. It will have you doing cool stuff in no time at all. It will teach you all photoshops tools and how to use them to make art. However, if you are already pretty good on the digital illustration side already and were hoping to expand your artistic techniques and skills, aka just get more "creative", and this is where I am, I know photoshops tools and shortcuts inside out, then you might be a little let down. There's just more of a focus on using the photoshop tools to make art, such as refining the brush tool options to get a realistic brush stroke, than on artistic concepts like doing better, more realistic shading or how to inspire yourself to make more creative art. Don't get me wrong - there's some great artwork and ideas in here, but you don't need to buy a book to see great inspiring artwork (the internet has plenty)... So, it's either great or just good - ask yourself where you are and go from there.

13 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A tutorial book that is CREATIVE AND FUN!!!, January 18, 2008

By	Kurt Dawkins "the gearhead" (San Antonio, Texas) - See all my reviews

I really can't recommend this book enough. The tutorials are easy to understand even when dealing with advanced techniques. It could be a bit much if you are brand new to Photoshop but I doubt it. I don't think anyone looking into purchasing a book of this types would be at all disappointed. There are other tutorial books out there but this one has subjects and artwork that are truly engrossing. Not only are the tutorial format and content superb but the author offers an online community that can be accessed through his personal site. Here you can ask for help on problem areas from other readers and often the author himself and also post your own work that the lessons have hopefully helped you to create. An easy 5 stars, great work.