There are lots of Photoshop books on the market and most while being similar to one another usually has at least a couple of sections that are unique and therefore make the purchase of the book worthwhile, especially if you’re in to learning as much about Photoshop as you can.

Creative Photoshop Digital Illustration and Art Techniques is one of the truly rare Photoshop books in that every part of it is both unique and intriguing. Instead of a book that covers all of the basics of Photoshop like how to use the text tool, the blur filter and the like this books talks about and shows you how to create unique forms of photo art and illustrations.

This is a full color book that is loaded with dozens of very attractive, intriguing and unique works of art. There is also a CD with the project files you can follow along and do the same work and use the same techniques Derek Lea does in the book.

Any time there are project files there is a call out box telling you about the files and where on the CD they are located. There are also call out boxes that briefly cover some of the Photoshop features like Smart Objects and the like. In total there are call outs for shortcuts, info, on the CD, cautions, CS3 and creative tips.

The various projects are intermediate to advanced in nature, however there is plenty of information provided as well as step-by-step instructions and they are fully illustrated so you can see what you are reading about.

This is a great book with some very useful, unique and fun projects for all Photoshop users. After working through some of the projects I feel that even a determined novice can do them thanks to the step-by-step instructions and illustrations. All level of Photoshop user can learn a lot from this book, I can't recommend it enough.

Chapters

Drawing and Painting

• Painting in Photoshop
• Creating Characters with Shape Layers
• Graffiti Spray Paint Art
• Creating Stencil Art
• Tracing Photographs
• Illustrating from Sketches
• Retro Art Effects
• Coloring Comic Art

Unconventional Methods

• Antique Effects
• Photocopier Meets Photoshop
• Urban Lowbrow Art

Illustrative Photography

• Creature Architecture
• The Third Dimension
• Ageing Effects
• Realistic Surrealism

Photoshop and Other Programs

• Bringing Stale 3D to Life
• Poser and Photoshop Create an Old Master
• Art Noveau Pasting Vector Art from Illustrator
• Changing Patterns Using Illustrator Files as Smart Objects