How well do you know Adobe Photoshop, the pro designer's tool of choice?

If you've mastered the basics of Photoshop but you're still hungry for more, this course is for you. Transcend your current skillset to learn advanced illustration effects, 3D effects, photo-realistic painting, professional montage and color correction, and high-impact presentation methods.

An extreme Photoshop expert will guide you through projects that inspire admiration and envy. You'll build on your fundamental Photoshop skills and tackle techniques that impart professionalism and sophistication.

Matt Kloskowski is a writer, instructor, illustrator, and graphic designer based in Tampa, Florida ... get bio

LESSON 1 Pens, Paths, and Shapes To stylize your Photoshop project, sometimes you need to think like an illustrator. Lesson One explore how to use paths and shapes—and Photoshop's Pen tool—to turn a humdrum image into something eye-catching. Advanced applications for paths, the Pen tool, shapes, and custom shapes, are discussed, as is using type on a path. The first class project allows you to explore faux illustration techniques by creating a stylized "retro-looking" image from a photograph.

LESSON 2 Layers, Transparency, and Blend Modes High-tech and futuristic 3D images are produced in Photoshop by making extensive use of transparency and blending techniques. Lesson Two begins with an intensive discussion of layers and layer transparency can create depth and lighting effects. Blend modes are discussed as a means of colorizing and creating layer effects. The project blends the application of both techniques with an exercise in abstract 3D style.

LESSON 3 The Power of Brushes To create eye-catching photo-realistic textures and effects, serious exploration of Photoshop's Brush tool is required. Brush tool applications get a workout in Lesson Three. Shape dynamics, scattering, textures, dual brush mode, and color dynamics are all examined as are stroking paths with brushes and saving your brushes. The use of digital pen tablets is explored for those that want to take digital painting one step further. In the project, you'll create a photo-realistic image depicting a golf ball on a green. Fore!

LESSON 4 Masks, Channels, and Selections Professional-looking photomontage and collage is all about handling masks and channels with precision. Lesson Four takes a fresh look at the array of options in selection, masking, and channels, discussing non-destructive editing and applications for RGB versus Alpha channels. A photomontage project integrates these concepts, giving you the chance to combine disparate images into a polished composition.

LESSON 5 Retouching and Image Correction Client photos just not cutting it? Lesson Five provides an introduction to professional techniques and principles of photo retouching. Healing, patching, and color replacement tools are discussed, as are correction adjustments to levels and curves. The new CS Histogram palette is given a whirl before you are let loose on a challenging correction assignment that requires you to work with a template and clipping mask.

LESSON 6 Beyond Photoshop In Lesson Six, there's no room for modesty—it's all about showing off your Photoshop work to its best advantage. You'll look at how to create layer comps for clients and use various automated Photoshop presentation tools—PDF presentations, Picture Package, and Web Photo gallery—to optimum effect. Beyond Photoshop, some quick imaging portfolio ideas will be kicked around to help you get your foot in the door with clients. Final class project will be an open-ended imaging presentation to instructor and other students.

Tuition: $829 US