Trying out Photoshop Elements

[SallyNeko21]

I'm still downloading the free trial. I've loved seeing everyone's disigns and have been considering making some of my own. I'm a MAC user, if that makes any difference. I really wanted to try my hand at making a Mickey head, but as I am unfamiliar with PSE, I have no idea where to start. If anyone would mind posting a tutorial for me or pointing me in the direction of how to make one, that would be so awesome. Thanks so much in advance!

 

[absolut_mandy]

Hi there!

The main thing that I've learned with PSE is to keep at it. Here is a link to a site that helped me a lot: http://www.photoshopessentials.com/
It has lots of tutorials with how-to(s).
As for the specific Mickey head, I'm sure you can play with the shapes within photoshop so that you can get the correct proportions.
Keep at it. It's great when you figure out something that has been driving you crazy! (yes this is from personal experience!)
Mandy

I'm still downloading the free trial. I've loved seeing everyone's disigns and have been considering making some of my own. I'm a MAC user, if that makes any difference. I really wanted to try my hand at making a Mickey head, but as I am unfamiliar with PSE, I have no idea where to start. If anyone would mind posting a tutorial for me or pointing me in the direction of how to make one, that would be so awesome. Thanks so much in advance!

 

[Dom13]

Use the custom shapes to make 2 circles, one for the ears and one for the head. Place the ear on the head where you want it to be then highlight the ear layer in the layers palette, right click and click duplicate layer. This will give you a second ear right on top of the first ear. Click on the move tool, the arrow at the top of the tool box, and using the arrow keys while holding down the shift key move it in to it's approximate position. Release the shift key and use the arrow keys to nudge it into it's final position.

I'd also recommend www.elementsvillage.com and it's sister site photoshopelementsuser.com. The first is a forum with many user written tutorials that can help you get a feel for the program. The forum is a wonderful, friendly place where you can ask questions and get answers. Everyone there has been a newbie at one point so they know what you're going through and are very patient and helpful.

 

[ElizabethG]

You can find lots of great tutorials on PSE on YouTube, just do a search.

For simple images (especial geometric ones), you can often find a low res image online. You can then resize it to your desired size (it will look terrible). However, it gives you a base to draw images on top of it to create a new high res image for yourself.

That is what I did to create toodles:

 

[RustManFan]

So other than tutorials you can find online, the best way to learn is simply to play around with it. If there is something you want to achieve, you will undoubtedly find a way to make it work.

Also note that you can find TONS of free patterns, brushes, layer styles and custom shapes that you can add to the defaults.... (Google for websites)

But master the layer concept first!

 

[SallyNeko21]

Thanks so much for the advice guys! My hubby is off to his car club tonight and the kids are in bed so me and PSE are gonna get cozy lol