Learn to manage layers, move and transform elements in Photoshop with the free transform tool, including rotate, scale, and distortion using keyboard modifiers like shift, alt, and ctrl.

Learn how smart objects preserve pixel data during rotations and scaling by encapsulating an image in a container. Edit contents to modify the inner image and save; rasterize if needed.

Learn how to create basic shapes in Photoshop with pixel, shape, and path options. Build rectangles, rounded rectangles, ellipses, polygons, stars, lines, and custom shapes using practical modifiers.

Explore how layer properties in Photoshop enable non-destructive styling with layer styles such as drop shadow, bevel and emboss, and strokes, using opacity and fill to control visibility.

Create a desert rabbit scene by cropping the rabbit from its background, placing it on a desert image, and adding direct and contact shadows with a pink hat.

Explore light-based and pigment color models, including RGB, HSV/HSB, CMYK, and lab color models, and apply them in Photoshop and Illustrator.

Apply essential Photoshop filters to selections—Gaussian blur, radial blur, motion blur, sharpen, unsharp mask, add noise, and clouds—and use the filter gallery to preview and fine-tune textures.

Explore Photoshop's vector features by using the path option, path selection and direct selection tools, and learn how live shapes differ from regular paths in the work path layer.

Create a shape layer with the shape tool to generate a path that serves as a mask for a smart object, then fine-tune fills, strokes, gradient options, and pattern fills.

Learn Photoshop’s pen tool to create vector paths with corner, bezier, and bezier-corner anchor points, using symmetrical or independent handles, and add or delete anchors to finish paths.

Customize Photoshop shortcuts with a Wacom tablet to speed workflow. Use z for foreground color and c for polygon lasso, and move the tools panel to the right.

Save and manage tool presets in Photoshop by saving brush tip presets, brush presets, and tool presets, including brush tip shapes, brush dynamics, and option panel settings.

Change the background to a mid-brightness cyan to keep colors balanced, then color each element on its own layer, using a non-destructive smart object workflow.

Master the local shading phase by layering textures, clipping to the base, and using multiply shading, with Wacom macros and magic wand selections for speed in hair and borders.

Create global shading on a dedicated multiply layer to cast shadows between objects, while refining local and contact shadows, using the pen tool for precise selections and environment-based shadow colors.

Explore transforming objects in Photoshop and Illustrator using position, rotation, and scale with the bounding box, shift and alt modifiers, and reflect options.

Create custom shapes with the pencil and curvature tools in Illustrator, control fidelity, and edit paths with anchor points, alt-click corners, and fill options.

Master the advanced pen tool workflow to add, delete, and convert anchor points for corners and bezier curves, adjust handles, and reshape curves without switching tools.

Learn to join and cut paths in Illustrator using anchor point techniques, the average method, pen tool connections, and tools like eraser, scissor, and knife with selections and shortcuts.

Create an S letter logo in Illustrator by using the pen tool with no fill and stroke, snapping at 45 degrees, applying offset path, and deleting the original shape.

Explore Adobe Illustrator's pathfinder panel to perform boolean operations such as union, minus front, and intersect, and learn divide, trim, merge, crop, outline, and minus back.

Learn how to create nonuniform stroke widths in Illustrator using variable width profiles, the width tool, and width point edits, including saving presets and using a basic brush.

Master a practical line artwork strategy in illustrator by using width profiles to vary line weight across three end categories, following a template-driven workflow to develop your own style.

Finalize the background by organizing sky, forest, and trees layers and adding fog with V layers. Apply hue/saturation and color filter adjustments to deepen the scene.