71 brilliant Photoshop tutorials to boost your skills

An image from a Photoshop tutorial
(Image credit: Photoshop Training Channel on YouTube)

The huge range of Photoshop tutorials available online are one of the great things about Adobe's industry-leading software. There are more competitors than ever in the field of image editing software, but the fact that Photoshop's so widely used means there's always going to be a tutorial explaining how to do what you want to do.

Photoshop also has such a vast feature-set, with regular updates, that there's almost always something new to learn, even for those who have already been using the software for years . There are lots of tools and features to learn, and a host of tricks and shortcuts that can save time and improve your workflow.

Adobe has its own Photoshop tutorials, which are a great place to start, and we've included some of those below. But some of the best photoshop tutorials are from creatives who use the software and share their own tips. Below, we've selected some of the best Photoshop tutorials we've seen, divided into sections for beginners, intermediates and pros. They cover everything from core skills to deeper dives into specific tools for designing logos, editing photos or creating comic art. Check the quick links to skip to your skill level or read on for the full guide.

The beginners' section focuses on Photoshop tutorials that introduce key tools and essential skills. The intermediate tutorials aim to build on that knowledge with more features, while the advanced tutorials include tips on illustration, master grids, and how to alter photos like a pro. To learn what we think about the software, see our Photoshop 2022 review and if you still need to get Photoshop, see the best current prices below.

If you're looking to enhance your Photoshop experience, you might also want the best free Photoshop brushes, Photoshop plugins and the best free fonts available. The hardware you use can also make the difference, so take a look at our roundup of the best laptops for Photoshop and the best monitors for photo editing.

Photoshop tutorials for beginners

01. Adobe Photoshop 2023 new features

Every year Adobe updates Photoshop with new tools and functions, which often help to speed up workflows in the software. If you're already familiar with Photoshop and simply want to know what's new in 2023, here's a quick overview from Jesús Ramirez (opens in new tab)

He succinctly rounds up new features such as the AI-powered backdrop creator in Neural Filters, substance materials, quick object delete and fill, photo restoration and live gradients, all in just 7 minutes. For some of the new features, you'll need Photoshop beta – for that you'll need Photoshop itself: see our guide to how to download Photoshop.

02. Photoshop for beginners tutorial

Adobe-certified instructor Dan Scott offers a comprehensive tutorial fit for complete beginners with no Photoshop, photography or design knowledge at all. In a three-hour video, Scott, who works for Envato Tuts+, walks through all the basics. Don't have that level of patience? No problem. If you don't fancy consuming three hours of Photoshop knowledge all at once (and we don't blame you), the video has a handy timing list in the description box so you can jump to the section in the Photoshop for beginners tutorial (opens in new tab) that you want and work your way through it in stages.

03. Learn Photoshop in 5 minutes: beginner tutorial

Pushed for time? There are many short and sweet Photoshop tutorials for beginners out there, and here's one of our favourites, Photoshop in five minutes (opens in new tab). In just five minutes, Julian Ball of Flow Graphics walks you through the basic tools and interface, and gives you a good idea of what the software is all about.

04. Get to know Photoshop tutorial

Photoshop tutorials: woman holding flowers

(Image credit: Adobe)

Part of a series of Photoshop tutorials produced by Adobe itself, Get to know Photoshop (opens in new tab) teaches you the basic tools and techniques of the software. You'll be introduced to the work area and will learn how to open and save your images, zoom in and out, and undo mistakes. 

05. Photoshop on iPad tutorial for beginners

It's been a few years since Photoshop made the leap to the iPad, and like the desktop version of Adobe's flagship app, the software is constantly evolving. This tutorial from YouTube channel Art and Design gives a great primer, with a step-by-step demonstration of how to use PS on an Apple tablet. In just half an hour you'll learn how to move layers, utilise paint tools, create clipping masks and more with your Apple pencil (see our guide to the best iPad stylus for a review of all the best stylus options for your tablet.)

06. How to resize an image

Photoshop tutorials: resize

(Image credit: Matt Smith)

Image resizing is probably one of the most essential basic tasks you'll want to do as a beginner, and here's one of the best Photoshop tutorials to explain the process. How to resize an image on Photoshop teaches you how to change the canvas size, use trim and more, all without compromising too much on image quality. 

07. How to work with layers

Photoshop tutorials: interface featuring multiple photos

(Image credit: Adobe)

Layers are one of those fundamental concepts you'll need to get your head around, and here's another of Adobe's own Photoshop tutorials to walk you through the basics. How to work with layers (opens in new tab) teaches you what layers are and how to use the Layers panel, how to resize the contents of a layer, and how to add images to a layered file.

08. How to adjust image quality

Photoshop tutorials: Photo of flowers on table

(Image credit: Adobe)

Discover how to adjust image quality (opens in new tab) with this most succinct of Photoshop tutorials. This series of four videos will teach you to enhance brightness and colour, and improve the quality of your images in Photoshop.

09. How to make selections

Photoshop tutorials: Photo of road featuring a number of neon hotel signs

(Image credit: Adobe)

Some Photoshop tutorials help you master vital skills quickly and easily, and here's a great example. How to make selections (opens in new tab) reveals how to create a selection, work with selection tools, and fine-tune the edges of a selection.

10. How to retouch images

Photoshop tutorials: Woman preparing plants on table

(Image credit: Adobe)

How to retouch images (opens in new tab) is a trio of Photoshop tutorials in video form. They walk you through how to remove unwanted objects, add objects by cloning, and fix other imperfections in your images with retouching tools in Photoshop.

11. How to add text and shapes in Photoshop

Photoshop tutorials: Adding text to a picture in Photoshop

(Image credit: Adobe)

This collection of four Photoshop tutorials demonstrates how to add text and shapes (opens in new tab). When you do so, they remain editable, and you can customise them down to the smallest detail.

12. How to use the Photoshop Pen tool

Photoshop tutorials: Pen tool

(Image credit: Mark White)

This is one of Creative Bloq's very own Photoshop tutorials. Here, Mark White explains how to use the Photoshop Pen tool, a simple selection feature that enables you to fill, stroke or make selections from whatever you draw. 

13. How to use the Photoshop Brush tool

Photoshop tutorials: Pen tool

(Image credit: Mark White)

In another of our Photoshop tutorials from Mark White, you'll discover how to use the Brush tool in Photoshop. This step-by-step guide includes helpful guides to what each of the icons in the Brush palette mean.

14. How to make a photo collage

Photoshop tutorials: Photo collage

(Image credit: Matt Smith/Future Owns/Adobe)

Learn how to combine images to make a simple photo collage in Photoshop with this tutorial from Matt Smith. You can use this technique to create your own collages from photographs, and perhaps eventually build on your compositions to create more intricate design collages from your own creations.

15. Photoshop tutorial on applying filters

Photoshop tutorials: interface with multiple photos

(Image credit: Adobe)

Learn how to apply filters (opens in new tab), allowing you add quick effects to an image. Filters can also be combined to create unique results, as these two related Photoshop tutorials demonstrate nicely.

16. Edit your first photo

Photoshop tutorials: Edit your first photo

(Image credit: Adobe)

Photoshop tutorials for beginners can be found on a range of subjects, and this one teaches you how to edit your first photo (opens in new tab). Bring out the best in your images with the useful techniques outlined here. 

17. How to use Photoshop layer masks

Photoshop tutorials: layer masks

(Image credit: James Paterson)

One of Creative Bloq's own Photoshop tutorials, How to use Photoshop layer masks will help you streamline your digital art workflow. As any beginner will quickly learn, layer masks are one of the most fundamental parts of the software: without them your work will look flat. Follow these tips and shortcuts to work more quickly and easily. 

18. How to remove a background in Photoshop

photoshop tutorials: remove a background in Photoshop

(Image credit: Jo Guiliver)

Another of our own Photoshops tutorials takes you through several different ways to remove a background in Photoshop. Jo Gulliver starts off by taking you through how to use the Magic Wand tool and Quick Selection tools to remove a background, before moving on to more advanced techniques.

19. Create your first design

Photoshop tutorials: Create your first design

(Image credit: Adobe)

Create your first design (opens in new tab) is a series of Photoshop tutorials that introduces how to work with layers, combine images, use layer masks, and add creative graphics, text, and effects. You can then use these skills to combine design assets into a simple, unique composite for print or online use. 

20. How to create a meme in Photoshop

Meme featuring dog wearing sunglasses

(Image credit: Matt Smith)

Social media’s all about memes these days, and making them is a nice skill to have. In one of our most popular Photoshop tutorials, How to make a meme in Photoshop, Matt Smith explains how to make multiple memes in moments. Have fun!

21. How to use Photoshop layers: 6 top tips

Photoshop tutorials: how to use layers

(Image credit: Future)

This tutorial, How to use Photoshop layers: 6 top tips, will teach you to use Photoshop's layer system; the key to unlocking the software's versatility. Here, you’ll find out how to create layers, lock them, group them and adjust opacity. 

22. Digital painting with Photoshop CC for beginners

Photoshop tutorials: Digital painting

(Image credit: Eddie Russell)

Digital painting with Photoshop for beginners breaks down the process of creating a simple digital painting, from start to finish. If you can work on a canvas with paints, then many of the same painting techniques you use will transfer directly over to digitally painting in Photoshop.

Next page: Intermediate Photoshop tutorials

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Daniel Piper
Senior News Editor

Daniel Piper is Creative Bloq’s Senior News Editor. As the brand’s Apple authority, he covers all things Mac, iPhone, iPad and the rest. He also reports on the worlds of design, branding and tech. Daniel joined Future in 2020 (an eventful year, to say the least) after working in copywriting and digital marketing with brands including ITV, NBC, Channel 4 and more. Outside of Future, Daniel is a global poetry slam champion and has performed at festivals including Latitude, Bestival and more. He is the author of Arbitrary and Unnecessary: The Selected Works of Daniel Piper (Selected by Daniel Piper).

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