Photoshop: Launchpad A Ignition sequence started.... Get going in Photoshop by learning the basics from a PS expert.. who's also a real teacher! You won't hear "This is easy" from us! While we love Photoshop, we know that it can be a daunting program, especially when you're just getting started. We take you and your learning seriously, while showing you fun and exciting ways to take off and use the program to do your own projects. Here are some of the topics for this class:

• Installing Photoshop
• Using Workspaces
• Creating and saving a file
• Using some Selection tools
• Using Layers
• Cropping an image
• Creating a colorful graphic with selections, filling, and stroking
• Getting images into your computer
• Making Tonal and Color Corrections
• Painting and erasing using several painting tools of PS
• Fixing Red Eye
• Filtering all or part of a photo for artistic effects
• Making a company letterhead or business card
• Using Type
• Lining up items
• Creating 3D effects
• Adding a Border
• Organizing files with Bridge or File Browser
• Use Grids, Rulers, and Guidelines
• Create a Photo Collage

Prerequisites

• Familiarity with your computer and its operating system
• Have a registered copy of Photoshop in version 7, CS, or CS2.
  Note: You cannot use PS Elements for this class.

Testimonials

Celine: Again, thanks for all your and Janee's assistance, guidance and encouragement in these lessons.  I look forward to learning more and continuing to fine tune what I have already experienced so far...

Folke: I got some "expert" books about Photoshop, which give a lot of tips how to do things as the professionals do it, but this course is giving me the Photoshop feeling. I really feel happy about this.

Photoshop will no longer be just software to edit photos, it more and more becomes a part of me, that is doing things that my hands have never been able to create with paper and pencils.

This is just COOOOOOOOOL :)

Tani: I am like a lot of people who don't consider themselves to be artistic, yet I found that I could make something that resembles art! Each lesson had a focus to it, and that helped to reinforce the learning of the tool or tools.

I really enjoyed seeing everyone's homework. Most everyone did a fantastic job on their assignments. I think the atmosphere is very supportive here, and with something like art, that is really important.

This course is a beginner level intro, and I think I learned a lot here. I am so excited to move on to Launchpad B.

Maria: I had a basic grasp of Photoshop, but your class took it many steps further for a more in-depth look at various aspects of the program. I learned so much more...and each time I go back over it, I learn a bit more again.

The teaching was easy-going and laid back. I could finish the assignments on my own time and didn't feel pressure of any kind to get them done quickly.

Thank you Janee! I thought I was going to be intimidated by this class, but you covered everything so well that I was able to follow along very easily. I know I will find all the printouts of the lessons invaluable as I can go back to them for reference. You are a great instructor!

PeterM: I was worried that the course was going to be too easy. I had used Photoshop to manipulate photographs but (amazingly) had not considered it to produce graphics. I can truly say I learned far more than I thought I would from each lesson. 

I very nearly didn’t sign up for Launchpad A as I thought it was going to be too basic.  I’m glad I did because I learned more in these six weeks than I’ve done in a very long time.

CarolV:

You have a very clear way of explaining things.   You write very well.   You state objectives and outcomes as a teacher should.

The break at Thanksgiving was helpful.  The worksheets are so clearly written.  The critiques were the best.   Very thorough.   I like that.  Not just “oh, beautiful.” though that is nice.   But both teachers added useful comments.   I want to learn so these are helpful.   Online learning is my only method!

Susanne: Once I got into the messages and read and saw others’ work and the teachers’ comments, I learned a lot from that.  It was good to see what the teachers liked.  Maybe we should hear more about what wasn’t good.(if we can take it).  It would be good in the next session to find out if I have any talent for this : )

Also, I love your sense of humor, Janee.

Photoshop: Launchpad B Ok, you're off and running with Photoshop! You have gained a good foundation with most of the tools and menus. You have a good grip on the concept of "resolution," and you know some ways to correct and improve your photos. You've done some fetching graphics using selections, type, buttons, and borders. And you have caught the bug! You want to learn more about Photoshop!

Photoshop Launchpad B will take you into many new avenues with using Photoshop. And as you’re learning things, you’re going to experience a very high fun factor as we get into some interesting projects!

In this class, you’ll be creating graphics and working with photos. You will play at painting, make a greeting card, create a logo, and work with Brush and Shape Libraries. You'll work with patterns, shapes, and type.

You'll also learn non-destructive methods to correct and selectively correct tones and colors in your photos. You'll learn how to perform "head switches," crop effectively, resize, and sharpen.

Along the way, you’ll create brushes, work with vector graphics, learn how to use Libraries to manage your Photoshop assets, work with patterns, use gradients, and become more facile with many of Photoshop’s shortcuts. This will bring you confidence in working within the Photoshop environment and improve your efficiency!

Here are a few of the topics we'll cover in this class:

• Painting and Erasing
• Making a Greeting Card
• Creating a Custom Brush with Options
• Creating a Pattern
• Using Custom Shapes
• Correcting a photo non-destructively
• Scalable Vector Graphics
• Creating artistic effects with a photo
• Sharpening a photo

Prerequisites:

• Familiarity with your computer's operating system
• Photoshop Launchpad A , a 6-week introduction to PS class, or equivalent experience with Photoshop
• Willingness and ability to work online with other students

Photoshop: Launchpad C This class is going to take you even farther into the wonderful world of image-editing with Photoshop!

Photoshop Launchpad C will lead you to a new level of confidence with using Photoshop. Along the way, you're going to be having some serious fun with these projects!

In this class, you’ll correct and retouch some photos, replace backgrounds, and do some special retouching. You'll create an advertising banner, make a mini-movie, and create a piece of real artwork from a photo.

Along the way, you’ll use non-destructive photo-editing techniques, you’ll create brushes, work with more with vector graphics, learn masking, remove unwanted elements from a photo, and learn and use more creative uses of filters. You’ll work more with Libraries to manage your Photoshop assets, use gradients, and become more facile with many of Photoshop’s shortcuts. You're going to leave this class a full-fledged "Intermediate User" -- ready to take on more challenging Photoshop projects with confidence!

Here are a few of the topics we'll cover in this class:

• Retouching a photo with the Healing Tool collection
• Retouching by cloning
• Making Tonal and Saturation Touchups
• Replacing a distracting background
• Replacing a sky
• Using Filters to create unique artistic effects from a photo
• Using Gradients
• Using Type and Vectors to create an ad banner

Prerequisites:

• Familiarity with your computer's operating system
• Photoshop Launchpad A and B OR a 6-week introduction to PS class OR equivalent experience with Photoshop
• Willingness and ability to work online with other students

Testimonials

Elzie:

It is with sadness I upload my lesson 6 files. I have so enjoyed this course. As a Photoshop user (by trial and error) for 3 or 4 years now, I cannot believe how many little tricks I've learned that could have saved me so much time. I think my favourite lightbulb moments were discovering Layer Sets and Masks. Oh, and Layer Adjustments! I had been duplicating layers a million times just in case I decided I no longer needed an adjustment or filter I had applied. Then trying to keep the layers organized was often a nightmare.

Anyway... as usual, I had a blast doing my projects this week.
...
I am really happy with the course (which is why I have signed up for another one :) ) I’m sure all my friends and co-workers are sick and tired of hearing me rave on about “this great little online course I found…” and the subsequent show-and-tell of all the images and photos I have created.  Many thanks Janee and Joanne!

Photoshop 7-CS2: Photos into Artwork In this exciting class, you will learn to take a photo and convert it into a work of art! We will explore several different ways of accomplishing artistic effects with photos. Some of these are wonderfully suited for framing and hanging, while others will be beautiful for greeting cards, scrapbooks, or website use. Here are some of the avenues we'll explore:

• Making a Digital Frame
• Making different photo edges
• Vignetting
• Converting a photo from colour to black & white
• Hand-tinting a Grayscale photo
• Creating Collages
• Building a Photo Mandala
• Montage techniques
• Creating a real digital painting from a photo
• Going beyond filters to create different painted effects
• Making Line Art from a Photo

Prerequisites:

• Familiarity with your computer's operating system
• Photoshop Launchpad A - C, a 12-week introduction to PS class, or equivalent experience with Photoshop
• Willingness and ability to work online with other students

Testimonials

Nelia:

I took Photos into Artwork last term and it was really terrific. I was just beginning to learn PS at that time and was amazed at the results I got. The class was a lot of fun.

JudyO:

I took the Photos to Artwork class last session and it was just great. Learned a ton about manipulating photos and have printed and framed quite a few 'Art' photos since. (Make great gifts..!) And of course, the upbeat teaching stylings of Janee are ever present..!

Highly recommend this one.

Mona R.:

What I liked best about the class was the quantity and quality of what was taught in this course! I received a lot of knowledge for my money!

Kath:

What I liked best is your technique tidbits and tips within each lesson. The light bulb was running steadily most of the time. You can read these things, (which I have) ‘til you’re blue in the face, but they don’t mean anything until you do them. Being in a “formalized” class is invaluable.

Don:

Janee gives instant feedback to questions and her answers are detailed and thorough.

I don't think this course could be improved!

The little quizzes were great for reviewing what we had learned in each lesson. You are very well prepared and the lesson material would make a better book on Photoshop than many I have seen for sale!

Sue A.:

The lessons were presented in a very interesting way. Janee took the time to comment promptly to any questions, and gave lots of praise and encouragement. I loved the class!

Debbie:

Janee, this is certainly one class I hate to see end. I can’t thank you enough for your hard work and the wonderful lessons. It has been fun and stimulating and a BIG learning experience. I look forward to seeing you next session and on the boards at myjanee.com.

I learned so much and I really had to use my brain and I loved it. I found myself learning more about Photoshop in the last six weeks than what I’d taught myself over the course of a year. I found myself exploring and using what I learned to create. I also found myself thinking “outside the box”. I loved that.

I think the very detailed and step by step instructions were great. I also enjoyed learning the “shortcuts”. The labeling of the layers with what we had done was an eye opener for me. So many times I do something and fail to remember next time. The lessons were laid out beautifully.

Wendy:

Course was FAN-tastic I have printed out the lessons & put them in a folder & I am constantly referring to them. This course's notes have the value of a $100 Photoshop book.

Tony:

A note of thanks to you for being such a good instructor. You are patient, informative, and a very knowledgeable teacher. I certainly would have progressed much faster in learning Photoshop had I been a student of yours in earlier classes. Glad I discovered you. I'll certainly be working in the background again for your next course.

Photoshop CS - CS2: Starting with a Blank Canvas Oh, that dreaded blank canvas! Even if you don't think you are an artist, we'll show you how to create art from nothing, using Photoshop. In this class, you will learn how to find inspiration in the shapes and colors around you to create art - YOUR art! Doing good art takes just three things, and each is something you can learn:

• Careful observation of your world
• Persistence and patience
• Courage

But with so much great art out there already, why is it important for you to learn to do art? Well, here it is: No one else has your vision. No one else can do your art! So if you don't do it, no one else will. Maybe it will be great. Maybe it will be just fun. Whatever the case, it will be yours.

I'll give you some jumping-off points in this course -- techniques and ideas you can run with to create your own art. Here are some of them:

• Choosing Colors
• Shape Collage
• Shapes, Custom Shapes, Lines
• Creating and working with Patterns
• Amazing Gradients
• Fingerpainting in Photoshop
• Creating natural textures in unnatural ways
• Tubes, wires, balls, & boxes
• Using the Pen tool for shape creation
• Snowflakes and Mandalas
• Using Brushes
• Introduction to Photorealism

Prerequisites:

• Familiarity with your computer's operating system
• Photoshop Launchpad A - C, a 12-week Introduction to Photoshop class, or equivalent experience with Photoshop
• Willingness and ability to work online with other students

Testimonials

Susacon: Photoshop offers so many different ways to accomplish the same or similar results, the many opportunities to learn from everyone else's trials & errors is one of the many very best things about this class.

Beth W: Loved it all but the way you taught us to use the pen tool actually opened up the greatest area of creativity.

Mirrordrum: i love your courses. i really do. shadows i could do without but i thoroughly enjoy the way you teach and am, as an ex-professor, deeply, deeply, deeply appreciative of the work you put into the courses. it's amazing on so many levels.

SHobson: It is not a “do as I do” course, but rather an individual journey for each person. I liked best the fact that it was so stimulating. I was surprised at the depth in each lesson. Who knew you could do so much with gradients, for instance.

CarolV: The critiques were the best. Very thorough. I like that. Not just “oh, beautiful.” though that is nice. But both teachers added useful comments. I want to learn so these are helpful. Online learning is my only method!

Susa: I have gained so much from this class and I thank everyone! Janee, for the huge amount of time and effort put into developing the materials, and maintaining the site, and responding to all our whines and questions, and for being so encouraging; Joanne, for answers, support, constructive comments, and for being so encouraging; to everyone in the class for taking the time to share the struggles, and to read and look and add comments, complements and always helpful criticism; and especially for the inspiration and pleasure of looking at all the incredible artwork. I can't tell you how sincerely I appreciate it, or how much I'm looking forward to the next classes. I hope to see you all again soon!

Maureen: The fact that the class wasn't a lightweight class was one of the most important aspects for me!!!

David: Let me congratulate you; I have tried to learn the Pen Tool at least half a dozen times since I first purchased photoshop 6.0, then 7.0, and now CS. I did NOT love the experience. Since starting this course, I have truly enjoyed working with the Pen Tool and Custom Shapes and.. and.... It's just SOOO fun!! Thank you for this. :)

Shirley: This course was definitely stimulating to me, both intellectually and creatively. Allot of the course was techniques I had not tried before this class, so I was challenged to learn something new. Allowing us to add our own personal "flair" gave us the opportunity to stretch our creative wings and get inspiration from our fellow students.

Getting the feedback, from both you and the other students, is what separates and sets this apart. Being able to work at our own pace, in the privacy and comfort of our own homes is a big plus.

Mike: Here is my only criticism...the course should last longer. :} Seriously, the quality of all the lessons is outstanding. You were able to teach us some valuable techniques while enabling us to have a good time using them. The assignments were open enough that we could challenge ourselves to go to any limits we wanted instead of just following cookie-cutter recipes for effects (side note - have recently explored the Adobe Studio Exchange site and downloaded a few actions for some effects. They worked, but I felt like it was cheating after having the challenge of working through nuts and bolts of your lessons...I like your tutes much better!)

Your site may have been my first inspiration for getting involved in PS and these two courses have enabled me to use these skills to make some images I'm truly proud of.

Meryl: I really had to be persuaded to sign up for this class, but I'm just so, so glad I did! It made me try things I hadn't though of trying, learn things I'd been meaning to get around to learning. Janee's instructions left no gaps, they were always clear. Thank you Janee for persuading me!

Terry F: Loved this class! Hope you have another class planned for fall; I'll suffer from withdrawal otherwise.

Photorealistic Painting in Photoshop (CS - CS2) If you can see it, you can photograph it. If you can photograph it, you can convert it to pixels. You can create pixels! So if it's pixels, you can paint it! In this class, you're going to be creating actual digital paintings from photos. You'll begin by learning to look at things, to really see what's there.

You'll be working on several projects in this class -- Flower or Fruit, Buildings, Paper Projects, and a Gadget Painting! Through this journey, you're going to be working with me as I go through similar struggles. I will show you my techniques for organizing and carrying out these projects.

Along the way, you'll be learning even more about Photoshop. Here are some of the learning objectives for this course:

• Distinguish among photorealism and other art styles
• Understand some methods used by past/present photorealists
• Get some understanding for what makes an object look real
• Understand how we can tell the quality of light and its source
• Create shadows
  • "drop shadows"
  • diffuse lighting vs. harsh lighting
  • Grounding shadows
  • Shadow physics
• Use the Swatches palette
• Trace an object with vector-drawing tools
• Use layers and selections to paint between the lines
• Use various Zoom techniques
• Use highlights and shading
• Find perspective lines in a photo
• Simulate glass windows
• Describe methods for adding years
• Show how to "angle" objects using shadows
• Create paper effects: old, torn, burned, folded
• Conceive and plan an illustration
• Use PS's shape tools and selections to make outlines of an object
• Use techniques to simulate the surfaces
• Finish with details

There's no way that a list of learning objectives can prepare you for what you're going to experience in this course. Students who have never painted anything before come out of this class with beautiful hand-painted creations and a new confidence to explore their artistic side!

Testimonials

Krisse:

I wouldn't believe I would be creating something so realistic 7 weeks ago. Janee offers a high quality course, which gives very professional current knowledge about the program and teaching how to draw.

She also stimulates lively class discussions! The students in this class wrote over 800 messages in 7 weeks! The discussions were very involved and these people do really like what they are doing. My classmates are very talented, caring and willing to share their help, which is an extremely big part of my learning. I have learned a lot!

John:

The surprise about Photorealistic Painting was that the Photoshop techniques were not so different from what we learned in our past classes. A big part of this course was teaching us how to look at the shadows, colors, textures, and patterns in a picture and how to make those appear again in our painting using Photoshop's tools.  

I was really pleased at how realistic my paintings were by the end of the course. If someone had told me before I started this course that I was expected to produce paintings of this caliber, I would have laughed and said "You may get them from other people, but not from me." I was astonished at how well I did by the end of the lessons. This course is that good!
--John