#infromative

I think it tells you something about my answer that I looked at my monitor and just started laughing!

This post has a list of Australian vendors that you might like to check out as a good list of options, but, in all honesty, shipping is the single biggest problem when it comes to online purchasing here. It’s why I focus so much on offline toys in my own discoveries, because buying from local online retailers isn’t affordable or justifiable for me. This isn’t easy for many of us, mind, but I’m in a situation where enduring the hell of offline shopping is better than paying $10 AUD for a parcel to arrive on my doorstep.

Australia Post charges so much for shipping that it is almost never affordable to purchase online from an Australian retailer. Most of them charge either flat rate shipping (Sensory Oasis for Kids charges $10 AUD flat rate shipping, which isn’t bad if you’re buying lots but is terrible if you only want one item) or somewhere between $8-$13 AUD shipping for a single toy. If they use a pre-paid Australia Post satchel, for example, it costs $8.50 AUD for 500 grams or less. That makes it easier for retailers to ship, but costs us a lot more, and sometimes retailers add a dollar or two (or more) on top of that for packaging and handling, to make a bad situation ridiculous.

If you want chewables, I’d check out Chewigem Australia: most pendants are $22 AUD but they only charge $7.50 AUD flat-rate shipping to Australia and NZ. If you don’t mind waiting a little longer for things to arrive, though, I’d actually just buy from Stimtastic, since most of their chewables are $10 USD or less (some much less). Even with the international shipping from the US, you’re saving money because the toys themselves are that much cheaper.

(My package from Stimtastic took nine days to arrive, so it isn’t a long wait.)

If you’re close to a K-Mart store and can get there in person, I’d recommend checking them out, as I’ve found a lot of stimmy items there, usually for good prices. (Check out our tag for some examples!) Their shipping fees, though, are a minimum of $10 AUD, so again you need to buy lots for it to be worth it, and that’s assuming you don’t buy so much you bump up the shipping to another weight bracket.

If you’re in Victoria (I believe there’s only a few stores elsewhere) Daiso is another great inexpensive department-meets-dollar shop for stimmy items. No online store, sadly, but fabulous if you can access it.

Otherwise, I would direct you to your local dollar shop (many stock spinners, fidget cubes and fidget pads now) or toy stores like Kidstuff and Toyworld. (Here’s our Toyworld tag for examples of the toys I’ve found there, including Tangles and Koosh balls.) Big W and K-Mart now also stock the Zuru Fidget Cubes ($13 AUD each) and all the major department store chains have spinners.

For online retailers, if you’re not after chewables, I’d direct Aussie stimmers to eBay, AliExpress and Banggood. You can get squishies, spinners, Tangles, chain fidgets, knock-off fidget cubes, boinks, fidget pads and other fidget-type toys. Many are $10 AUD or less, many are much less than that, and many listings have free international shipping. You’ll have to wait (anywhere from a fortnight to five weeks for me, depending on item and country of origin) for delivery from China, Hong Kong or Taiwan, usually, but it is so much more affordable.

As a case example, this weekend I bought four of the Tangle Jr Fuzzy knock offs ($12 AUD), three Tangle Jr knock offs ($3.87 AUD), a single Tangle Jr ($1.39 AUD) and three items from Banggood ($5.05 AUD) - a spinner cover, a chain fidget and a wooden fidget stick. So, that’s eleven things for $22.31 AUD, all with free shipping. That’s a spending spree for me, but I’m paying just over $2 AUD an item, averaged out. I’ve paid more for some K-Mart stim toys.

Yes, these toys are all knock-off versions, and that carries quality risks - you really don’t know ahead of time how good any one particular knock-off will be - but they’re affordable. The biggest downside for me in shopping on those stores is trying to find things. There’s often so many listings for each category (especially spinners and fidget cubes) that it’s confusing and overwhelming. There’s pages and pages of items, with a variety of shapes and styles and prices, and that doesn’t make browsing easy or simple.

Otherwise, my answer is to do what I’ve done - DIY it. Here’s our first DIY master post, and here’s the second. Of course, not everybody can do this for a variety of reasons, but there’s tutorials on both posts for lots of different toys, and hopefully there’s a DIY for you that suits your price, skill and access needs. I’ve made bead lanyards, slimes, weighted plush, marble loops, marble mazes, bead fidgets, bean bags, fabric chewables…

If any Aussies have a store with affordable shipping costs, please let us know, but right now I honestly don’t have a lot of recommendations because they’re all expensive.

This isn’t to be confused with the term for wild felines, as John quickly reminds us. 2. James Buchanan’s Nickname was “The Old Public Functionary.”

Apparently, not every presidential nickname has to roll off the tongue. 3. YouTubers Upload Over 864,000 Hours Worth of Content Per Day.

One mental_floss viewer wanted to know how long it would take to watch every single video that’s been posted on YouTube—a process John claimed “would take significantly longer than forever.” 4. Most of us Use the Word “Acronym” Incorrectly.

To be considered a proper acronym, an abbreviation must be pronounceable as a word. Ergo, while N.A.T.O. (the “North Atlantic Treaty Organization”) is a proper acronym, whenever you text “O.M.G.” (“Oh My God”), you’re actually using something called an “initialism.” 5. Baby Potato Beetles Have Poisonous Poop.

This defense mechanism compensates for their general lack of body armor. To deter predators, the young insects cover themselves in their own toxic fecal matter. 6. In Ancient Peru, Only Women of Nobility Were Allowed to Brew Beer.

After revealing this fun fact, John went on to explain that one of the main reasons why the Pilgrims stopped at Plymouth Rock instead of venturing further was because they’d run out of beer. 7. Webster University’s Mascot is a Fictional Beast Called “The Gorlock.”

This animal purportedly “has the paws of a cheetah, the horns of a buffalo, and the face of a St. Bernard.” Its distinctive name was inspired by a pair of streets that neighbored the school’s original location. 8. According to a U.N. Estimate, Poverty Has Decreased More in the Past 50 Years than in the Previous 500.

Who says “No news is good news"? It turns out that malaria-related deaths and pet euthanasia rates have also been declining recently. 9. Koko the Gorilla Once Hugged Mister Rogers.

A fan of his show, the simian sign-language master immediately embraced Fred Rogers when the TV star dropped by for a visit. 10. In Washington State, it’s Illegal to Use X-Ray Equipment for Shoe-Fittings.

11. JD Salinger Considered Playing the Role of Holden Caulfield in an Unmade Stage Adaptation of The Catcher in the Rye.

Salinger would’ve been 30 at the time, far too old to play his teenage protagonist. However, because he adamantly refused to allow another actor to take on the role, the project fell through. 12. Granny Smith Apples are Named After Their Discoverer, Maria Ann Smith of Australia.

Despite Smith’s accomplishments, as John explains here, the fruits weren’t made commercially available until a quarter-century after her death. 13. Trimethylaminuria is a Metabolic Disorder that Makes You Smell Like Day-Old Fish.

Unfortunately, there’s no known cure. 14. Thanks to An Unfortunate Typo, a 1631 Edition of the King James Bible Said the 7th Commandment is “Thou SHALT Commit Adultery.”

The Archbishop of Canterbury was particularly outraged at this blooper and the careless printers were fined. 15. Chameleons Don’t Change Color to Blend In… They do it to Communicate and Regulate their Body Temperatures.

In the pilot episode of mental_floss on YouTube, John debunked the idea that camouflage is the main reason why these bizarre lizards alter their hues. 16. Playwright Oscar Wilde’s Last Words Were “Either That Wallpaper Goes or I Do!”

Like Miles “Pudge” Halter—the main character of his first novel, Looking for Alaska—John enjoys memorizing the dying utterances of famous people. 17. Soviet Astronaut Gehrman Titov Became the First Person to Vomit in Space.

The incident caused the U.S.S.R. to shut down its space program for a year as they grappled with the phenomenon of “space sickness.” 18. H.G. Wells Married his Cousin, Isabel, in 1891, Only to Leave Her for One of His Students Three Years Later.

A patron saint of science fiction, Wells also had affairs with novelist Rebecca West and birth-control activist Margaret Sanger. 19. Humans Have Far More Than Five Senses.

Everyone knows the senses of touch, taste, smell, sight, and hearing. But the ability to perceive balance, time, and approximate temperature are additional functions our bodies don’t often get their due credit for sporting. 20. The Average Sponge Contains More Bacteria than the Average Toilet Seat.

For more health and wellness insights, check out pediatrician Dr. Aaron Carroll’s show “Healthcare Triage,” on which John makes regular appearances. 21. Syphilis was so Common in Nazi-Occupied France that Hitler Decided to Fight the Problem with Blow-Up Sex Dolls.

“It probably goes without saying,” John states, “that the idea was eventually abandoned because the troops were like ‘Actually, we just prefer Syphilis!’” 22. Only 9 Percent of Giraffe Matings are Heterosexual.

In the wild world of giraffe copulation (a subject the Greens love revisiting), same-sex coitus is quite abundant, as is the practice of ritualized urine-drinking. 23. What do Catherine the Great, King George II, and Elvis Presley Have in Common? They All Died on the Toilet.

Skip to the 6:01-mark in this video for a list of other notable people who perished in the privy. 24. Ptolemy Said Shooting Stars were the Result of Gods Looking Down on Earth.

It’s for this reason that many of us wish upon these meteors to this very day. 25. A “Megadeath” is an Actual Unit of Measurement Used to Record the Number of Fatalities After an Atomic Explosion.

One Megadeath is equal to 1 million casualties. 26. The Great Pyramid of Giza Was the World’s Tallest Building for Over 3800 Years.

For more amazing info on Ancient Egypt, check out this early episode of Crash Course: World History. 27. Kent State University has Offered Classes on the Careers of Adam Sandler and Will Farrell.

Jul 23, 2014 16:59 pm 3 comments

Grouped into categories from web design to typography, these Photoshop tutorials will help you master Adobe's image editing software.

Love it or hate it, Photoshop continues to be the design software of choice for millions designers across the globe for a wide range of tasks, including photo editing, graphic design, typography, illustration, 3D modelling and animation. Here, we round up the very best Photoshop tutorials from around the web covering all these areas and more...

10 Photoshop tools for beginners

The Burn Tool

Learn how to use the Burn tool in this video tutorial

One of our own Photoshop tutorials, hosted on the Creative Bloq YouTube channel, introduces the Burn tool. In the easy-to-follow video, discover how to selectively darken areas of an image, with an overview of settings and tips on working with Shadows, Midtones and Highlights.

Color Replacement Tool

Learn how to replace colours with this handy tool

Another of our YouTube Photoshop tutorials, this short video introduces the Color Replacement Tool, which lets you paint roughly over an area of an image. Discover how to replace colours based on Hue, Saturation, Colour and Luminosity.

Content-Aware Move Tool

This cool tool tells you heal unwanted portions of your photo

This Photoshop tutorial introduces the Content-Aware Move Tool. In the easy-to-follow video, we reveal how Photoshop can analyse pixels and heal unwanted portions within an image.

Custom Shape Tool

Discover the Custom Shape tool in this video tutorial

This Photoshop tutorial introduces the Custom Shape Tool. Choose from a large selection of different shapes and learn how to use various settings such as Fill, Stroke and more.

Dodge Tool

Learn how to lighten select areas of an image with the Dodge tool

This Photoshop tutorial introduces the Dodge tool. You'll learn how to selectively lighten areas of an image. Learn about brush options, Range, and Exposure. Brighten eyes, pick out details, and much more!

Master Photoshop CS6's Crop tool step-by-step

This Photoshop tutorial is a fantastic way to get to grips with the crop tool. It's set out in a step-by-step fashion to help make the process of mastering it even easier.

The Blur Gallery

Find out how to use the Blur Gallery, which allows for photo-realistic depth

One of the most popular features in Photoshop has been the Blur Gallery - three brand new filters that allows for photo-realistic depth. Discover how you can use them in your work in this Photoshop tutorial.

Iris Blur in Photoshop CS6

Iris blur is basically the opposite of field blur, in which you can blur everything apart from where your pin is placed. Learn the ropes with this simple step-by-step Photoshop tutorial.

Get creative with the Photoshop Brush tool

Get to grips with one of the most powerful tools in your creative arsenal - the Brush tool

Get an overview of the Brush tool in this brilliant Photoshop tutorial. Find out what it can do and how best to use it.

How to use Photoshop's Curves and Adjustment Layers

Discover how you can quickly adjust dull skies and improve your landscapes using Adobe Photoshop's Curves and Adjustment Layers in this Photoshop tutorial.

7 Pro tips and techniques

Add drama with the Radial Blur Filter

The Radial Blur filter is a great way to add motion and speed to your images

In this Photoshop tutorial, learn how to use CS5's built-in filter effects to add a feeling of movement and power to your images.

Use Adjustment Layers to tone an image

This Photoshop tutorial explains how to add a variety of tone and colour effects using the Adjustment Layers option in Photoshop CS5.

Use Photoshop's Tilt-Shift filter

Using Photoshop's CS6 Tilt-shift blur effect, Ben Secret explains an innovative approach to saturation by creating a miniature model village. In this Photoshop tutorial you'll learn how to simulate an exaggerated depth-of-field effect.

The ultimate guide to adjustment layers - curves

Curves allows you to adjust the tonal values in an image, increase or decrease the exposure, or automatically colour correct. This tutorial provides a comprehensive explanation of the Curves functions and how to use them.

Combine colour with monochrome in Photoshop

Get creative with colour, learn how to create a wider tonal range, and create classic images with added impact in six simple steps! A fantastic Photoshop tutorial to boost your skills.

Five top Photoshop tips for great spot colour

Learn how to use Hue/Saturation Adjustment Layers and S-shaped curves for excellent spot colour results in this Photoshop tutorial.

How to body sculpt using the liquify tool

Fancy mastering the art of airbrushing? This Photoshop tutorial will get you started as it describes how to use liquify for photo retouches.

4 ways to fix problems

Erase unwanted backgrounds in Photoshop

Use the Eraser tools to select and delete unwanted backgrounds - or even just parts of them. We show you how in this Photoshop tutorial.

Post-production fixes

Photography in design can be a tricky aspect. Ten world-renowned designers channel their best advice on how to get the most from your photos using Photoshop in post-production.

Blur backgrounds easily in Photoshop

Wished you'd taken that shot with a wider aperture? Make it happen in Photoshop using a blur filter and a painted mask.

The complete guide to fixing exposure in Photoshop

What is a histogram? How do you fix poorly exposed photos? We answer these questions and more with this Photoshop tutorial walking you through exposure in Photoshop CS6 and Camera Raw.

3 organisation tips

How to make the most of your graphic assets

Learn to keep your graphic assets under control

Whether it's vector experimentation in Illustrator, manipulation in Photoshop or tinkering around with a 3D application, if you make something interesting then why not categorise it, file it and keep it around for later repurposing? This Photoshop tutorial shows you how.

Manage your layers more efficiently

Managing layers in previous versions of Photoshop could sometimes be a struggle. Luckily, CS6 has made some upgrades which means layer trouble is a thing of the past, as this Photoshop tutorial explains.

How to build experiments into your workflow

Experimentation is key to remaining creative (and sane). In this Photoshop tutorial, find out how to create artwork that has a solid foundation, yet still enables you to mess around along the way.

4 bits of graphic design in Photoshop

Design a chrome and plastic button in Photoshop

Making UI elements should be part of every designer's toolbox. Here's how to make a cool looking chrome and plastic button in Photoshop.

Make interesting vector shapes in Photoshop CS6

The introduction of vector shape layers in Photoshop CS6 has opened up a wealth of new possibilities. In this Photoshop tutorial you'll find some tips so you can make the most of them...

How to merge vectors with photographic imagery

Learn how to merge a few basic images and then mix them in with vector shapes to create a unique editorial illustration. Sound difficult? Actually no.

How to fix skewed perspective using Photoshop CS5

Learn the techniques needed to fix warped lines and skewed perspectives in Adobe Photoshop CS5. It's not that hard...

11 ways to bring your images to life

Add a bokeh effect to your images

Create out-of-focus highlights from scratch with a little help from Photoshop CS6's new time-saving shortcuts, in this easy to follow, four-step tutorial.

Turn photos into simple caricatures

Master Photoshop's Free Transform tool and use it to warp portraits of your subjects into comical caricatures!

Get the toy camera look

Get the toy camera look with Photoshop.

Recreate a fish-eye effect

Give images the super-distorted fish-eye treatment, then crop and add text to get the look of an iconic album cover.

Apply a quick vintage look in Photoshop

Use Photoshop CS6's Color Lookup feature to change colours within an image, in four simple steps.

How to add frames to photos using Photoshop and Lightroom

Using a combination of Photoshop and Lightroom, here you'll discover a few ways to add frames and borders around your photos. The workflow includes using tools such as Photoshop blend modes, custom brushes and layer styles.

Create a realistic sketch effect with Photoshop

With the help of Photoshop's stamp and brush tools, we reveal how you can convert your photographs into stunning pencil sketches!

Recreate infrared photography in Photoshop

You don't need a dedicated camera to take an infrared image - you can do it in Photoshop instead. We explain how, in just six simple steps.

Create a Polaroid pinboard effect

Transform a single image into a striking montage of Polaroid shots with this fun Photoshop layers technique.

Create a fashionable cross-processing effect

Fashion photographers used to develop film in the wrong chemicals on purpose to create striking colour effects. Here's how to achieve the look in Photoshop.

Add the hipster vintage look

Learn how to utilise Adobe Camera Raw as a creative tool, and add cool retro effects to your shots.

7 Photoshop painting tutorials

How to create a dramatic digital painting in Photoshop

In this tutorial Trisme Trs will take you through the process of creating a dramatic digital painting in Photoshop, and show you how to illustrate an eagle and falcon battling it out in the sky.

Add a vintage feel with custom brush strokes

Freelance illustrator Peter O'Toole reveals how to increase the depth of your images with handmade brush strokes in Photoshop.

How to combine brushes with texture in Photoshop CS6

Add a touch of texture to your brush stroke

Make your painting really stand out by adding a touch of texture to your brush stroke using this simple, quick guide.

Photoshop CS5 Digital Painting tutorial

Here, you'll get back to basics and learn from the start how to paint in Photoshop CS5. You'll be able to get plenty of practise in!

Discover how to create a customised graphic brush with this tutorial from Jonathan Standing

How to use the cut out painting effect

This is a great tutorial to get your images looking unique and artistic. It only takes 30 minutes and is compatible with CS4 and CS5. You'll be using filters to create this simple, stunning effect.

Create an oil painting effect using Photoshop CS6

If you've managed to get your hands on a copy of the latest Adobe Photoshop CS6, then take a look at this tutorial. Here, you'll learn the ropes of the latest features, including the 'oil paint' option.

Digital Painting in Photoshop CS6

You'll already need to have an understanding of Photoshop to follow this tutorial. Here, you'll learn how to use your tablet for painting and drawing, as well as how to set up your brushes.

3 Photoshop web design tutorials

How to design a photorealistic app icon in Photoshop

Roman Jusdado explains how to use light and shadow plus layer styles and masks to make realistic artwork - in this case, a stylish record player app icon.

How to design an iPad app UI

Want to get involved in app development? It's certainly where all the action is. In this Photoshop tutorial we create two basic user interfaces for an iPad app and develop them to a prototyping level.

Create background textures in Photoshop

Background textures are an easy way to make colours more interesting. Paravel's Reagan Ray shows you how to get them on your site using Photoshop, CSS and HTML.

9 Photoshop typography tutorials

Create a 3D typographic illustration

Modern artists often use more than one application to create their work. This often means working outside of Photoshop much of the time. In this tutorial, João Oliveira will create a 3D typographic illustration using Cinema 4D to build the 3D and Photoshop for the post-production.

How to treat your type with neon colours

In this Photoshop tutorial, you'll learn how to build and light 3D objects and how to work with layers and different blend modes. And that's not all. We also take a look at creating glow effects and basic post-production techniques.

How to create a hipster text effect in CS6

In this Photoshop tutorial, you'll learn how to use basic filters and layer styles to create a simple text effect with a trendy hipster look. Cool huh?

Create unique 3D typography

Sipi Sager of animhut shows you how to create a striking 3D typeface using Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator.

Create a mech-inspired text effect using layer styles

This great 20-minute tutorial will show you exactly how to create a mechanical inspired text effect using layer styles. 

Create a summer-inspired 3D text effect

Discover how to create this summer-inspired 3D text in this easy-to-follow tutorial

In this Photoshop tutorial, discover how to create a summer-inspired 3D text effect, using the image editing software's 3D features.

How to create a 'text in water' effect 

This rather specialist tutorial walks you through how to create the effect of text submerged in water. The training will help you get to grips with the liquify filter, custom brush and free transform tool.

Create a Wrath of the Titans text effect

It's always fun to create posters and text effects inspired by your favourite movies. Here, you'll learn how to create the brilliant Wrath of the Titans text effect.

Create an 'Iron Hero' text effect

Thanks to Joss Whedon, we've been inspired by all things Avengers. Here, you'll learn how to create an Iron Man styled text using layer styles. Awesome!

6 3D effects tutorials

Create a Chocolate Volcano Using 3D Effects

Get to grips with the 3D capabilities of Photoshop

A Photoshop volcano is awesome but a chocolate volcano? Even better. Get to grips with the 3D capabilities of Photoshop CS5 and beyond. It's at an intermediate level, so only approach this if you already know a thing or two.

Create a 3D Micro Robotic insect in ZBrush

This tutorial has a whopping 42 steps, so it may take a while. It seems like it's worth the wait though, as you'll get to grips with dimensions as well as digital brushes.

Discover Photoshop CS6's new 3D tools

Photoshop CS6 Extended incorporates a new 3D tools engine, which enables your graphics card to deliver a super fast performance. This step-by-step guide demonstrates how the new Photoshop CS6 3D engine can be used to combine 3D sources.

Magical 3D tent tutorial in Photoshop CS6

Using the skills that you've aquired through the 3D tutorial above, you'll now be able to follow this awesome magical tent tutorial. This simple step-by-step guide will enable you to use your 3D skills to their fullest potential.

How to give your logo work a 3D edge with Cinema 4D

There are times when 2D just doesn't cut the artistic mustard. So now is a perfect time to bolster your Photoshop skills by bringing Cinema 4D into play in your everyday work. Digital artist Barton Damer shows you the way.

How to create a micro machines inspired scene

Remember that awesome collection of little cars you had as a kid? Well, this tutorial will help refresh your memory as it explains how to utilises CS6's new 3D capabilites to create a Micro Machine inspired composition.

4 Photoshop animation tutorials

Create an animation using Photoshop and After Effects

James Wignall shows how to create an animation with Photoshop and After Effects in this easy-to-follow 12-step tutorial.

Use Photoshop's animate fuction

It's easy to forget that Photoshop also has an 'animate' function. James Wignall shows how to create the sort of hand-made animation that a young Walt Disney might have dabbled with.

Create animation with audio in Photoshop CS6

Although animation is not a new feature for Photoshop CS6, it has improved a lot. You can now add video layers, modify video content, build animation and add audio.

Use the new Timeline in Photoshop CS6 to create an animated GIF

The new timeline feature in Photoshop CS6 will allow you to open, edit, and export videos without ever having to leave the application. See how you can create an awesome animated GIF using this handy new tool.

6 ways to transform images in Photoshop

Create tilt shift photography

Recreate a tilt-shift effect using Photoshop

Tilt-shift photography refers to the use of camera movements on small and medium format cameras. The guys at animhut show you how to re-create this effect using Photoshop CS6.

Add dramatic rain to a photo in Photoshop

Tony Aube demonstrates how to add a dramatic rain effect to a photo in Photoshop, then goes a step further and shows how to make the image more photorealistic by adding reflections and small puddles.

How to make a pure white background in Photoshop

In this easy-to-follow tutorial, the team at Phlearn show you how to create a perfect white backdrop without losing too much detail in your images.

How to retouch images with frequency separation

Learn a non-destructive retouching workflow, see how to separate an image by spatial frequencies and what's involved in re-contouring shadows and highlights.

Colourise a black and white photo

Designer Ben Secret show how to take control of your image colouring with Photoshop's Color Balance tool.

Take control of your image colouring with this tutorial from Ben Secret

Turn a grey day into a great one!

It's always frustrating when a beautiful photo is backed by a dull, grey sky. Take a few tips from this Photoshop tutorial and discover how you can bring some sunshine into your image.

10 advanced Photoshop techniques

How to create atmospheric digicollages

Photoshop tutorials: Combine textures and photos into a digicollage

Not sure what a 'digicollage is? Let BECHA walk you through how to develop a distinct aesthetic by combining textures, photos and hand-drawn elements. Learn how to work with blending modes and to incorporate Adjustment Layers into your workflow.

Dramatic shadows in Photoshop CC

Ditch the default drop shadow! Here Abduzeedo shows you how to create a design with beautiful and dramatic shadows using the 3D tools in Photoshop CC.

show you how to create a design with beautiful and dramatic shadows using the 3D in Photoshop CC - See more at: http://abduzeedo.com/dramatic-shadows-photoshop-cc#sthash.uPyWoZ9M.dpuf

show you how to create a design with beautiful and dramatic shadows using the 3D in Photoshop CC - See more at: http://abduzeedo.com/dramatic-shadows-photoshop-cc#sthash.uPyWoZ9M.dpuf

How to create a stunning portfolio in Photoshop

Display your best work online with a portfolio created in Photoshop. Check out this handy tutorial by Bloom web design to find how to do it.

Working with video in Photoshop

While Photoshop is best known as a photo editor, it also includes some powerful video editing tools. In this short, simple tutorial, learn how to use the timeline panel to apply smart filters and adjustment layers to your videos.

How to create a high-tech cyborg photo manipulation in Photoshop

As you probably know, we at CreativeBloq love a bit of sci-fi. What better way to put Photoshop to good use than creating this awesome cyborg sci-fi head? You'll be combining multiple images together to create this brilliant effect.

Blend a fashion image with Photoshop custom shapes

If your fashion photo needs a little something more, you've come to the right place. You'll be able to turn a normal photograph into an abstract illustration, making the image even more striking than before!

Create a freezing cold portrait photo manipulation in Photoshop

Baby it's cold outside! Here, you'll learn how to work with difference ice and crystal photos and complete the look with a cold blue photo effect.

Create a magical light beam photo manipulation

This tutorial will show you how to blend images together and transform them to make a stunning and surreal image. You'll also make use of some adjustment layers to complete the finished product.

How to make an Ice Queen in Photoshop CS5

Learn how to create realistic snow, glowing snowflakes and monolithic glacial pillars using Selections, Adjustment Layers and Custom shapes.

The Walking Dead: turn your portraits into zombie photos

Thanks to Photoshop's powerful editing tools, you can now 'zombify' friends and family and turn your portraits into stunning Walking Dead-style photos.

How to create a surreal dog-headed, cigar-smoking gent

Or maybe you'd like to create a bizarre hamburger-eating duck face? See how to combine two images together to create a seamless (and weird) character montage.

2 Photoshop illustration tutorials

How to add depth to abstract illustrations

This tutorial focuses on Illustrator and Photoshop's Ellipse and Lasso tools

Did you know that there are a number of techniques for creating the illusion of depth in your designs? George Chichinadze shows you some of his favourites, focusing particularly on Illustrator and Photoshop's Ellipse and Lasso tools. See how he uses drop shadows to create an elaborate, sophisticated, abstract illustration.

Create amazing polygon illustrations in Photoshop CS6

Using a classic image from Jaws, Rob Redman shows you how to utilise Photoshop CS6 to create awesome polygon art.

5 ways to create fantasy artwork

How to create a fantasy fairy

How to create this beautiful fairy from a single source image

Use this detailed tutorial to create a beautiful fairy from a single image. Training includes lessons on how to create a fantasy background, feathers, grass and mountains.

Create a fantasy landscape using digital painting techniques

This extensive tutorial will take you through everything you need to know to create a fantasy landscape using Photoshop CS6. Different stages include sketching, colour, defining the background, detailing, cloud creations, themes and textures. 

How to create a magical fantasy image effect

This quick and simple tutorial will walk you through how to combine multiple images, use layers and basic tools to effectively create a magical fantasy image effect.

How to design a dramatic winged dragon

This fantasy illustration tutorial explains how to merge two images into one using layer masks and reshape a picture using the liquify filter. Transform a baby iguana and a bat into an awesome fire-breathing dragon!

Create a cute and dark fantasy illustration

If you struggle to come up with concepts for your design work, this is a great place to start. You'll learn to create a cute illustration in Photoshop using an array of digital painting techniques.

11 ways to edit portraits in Photoshop

Remove skin blemishes with the Spot Healing brush

Learn how to repair lips with the Spot Healing brush

Everyone wants to look their best and in this tutorial you'll be able to do just that! You'll learn how to remove any skin blemishes, acne or any other problems to create the perfect image.

Quickly select skin tones in Photoshop CS6

If you want to know about the Skin Aware technology in CS6 then this is the tutorial for you. Learn how to quickly select skin tones and get to grips with this awesome new feature.

How to change eye colour in Photoshop CS6

Check out this quick two-minute tutorial, which will show you how to change a subject's eye colour.

How to change eye colour in Photoshop CS5

If you want to change eye colours in a photograph to match them to the rest of the scene or an outfit, there's a really easy technique you can learn. Click the link above to find out more.

Selecting and extracting hair - masking tutorial

One of the most challenging montage or masking Photoshop tasks is the hair lift. This simple tutorial will allow you to gain the best results from a tricky process.

Adobe Photoshop CS6 - taking care of fly-away hairs

This super time saving tutorial will teach you how to get rid of stray and fly-away hairs using the dust and scratches filters.

Handy tips for cutting out hair in Photoshop

This tutorial may be a little dated but it still has some fantastic techniques for cutting the perfect amount of hair for your image.

How to cut out hair using Photoshop's Refine Radius tool

Practical Photoshop digs into the wonders of the Refine Radius tool and transplants a dude with windswept hair into a different scene. It's a cut out that sounds tricky. But isn't.

How to change hair colour in Photoshop CS6

Here, you'll discover how to use the new tools of Photoshop CS6 to change any hair colour. From blonde to red and brown to green, the choices are endless!

How to design a mixed media portrait in Photoshop and Illustrator

Anthony Neil Dart reveals how to produce creative portraiture with a mixed-media approach.

Photoshop tutorials: how to use the Liquify filter to create some stunning effects.

Remove a person from a photo with the content aware feature

Here, you'll learn how to remove a person and fill in a selection with surrounding content making it look like a part of the original image. No one will ever know!

3 ways to create skins for characters

Get golden with shiny skin

Turn any normal photo into a golden one with this skin effect

In this simple but useful Photoshop tutorial, you'll discover how to turn any normal photo into a golden one with a glowing skin effect. Goldfinger eat your heart out!

Design a unique wooden face in Photoshop

This probably isn't a tutorial you would instantly think about when discovering Photoshop but we think it's pretty unique! You'll also learn how to add a fiery eye and a tear. Wonderful stuff.

How to apply a Jaguar skin to a woman

Get to grips with some Photoshop tools and learn how to apply a jaguar's distinctive coat of spots to a photograph of a woman's face.

10 Photoshop special effects tutorials

Create a repeating pattern in Photoshop

Here we'll show you how to create a single 'tile' for a repeating pattern for the stripes; then you can fill as big or as small an area as you like with it...

Create an easy abstract blur pattern design

Sppon Graphics demonstrates how to make a cool geometric gradient pattern using Photoshop and a bit of Illustrator.

How to use filters and blend modes to enhance car photos

See how Practical Photoshop magazine created a stunning fire effect through clever use of Photoshop filters, blend modes and transform controls.

Create a fast and simple Instagram effect

Don't have a smartphone but long to create those vintage Instagram effects on your photos? This simple and quick tutorial will show what effects to add to accomplish an easy 'Instagram look'.

Use Photoshop Actions to apply multiple effects

We show you how to record a series of edits as an Action that can be quickly applied to images, as we create a cool retro effect in Photoshop CS6.

How to create an abstract liquid effect

In this walkthrough, we'll show you how to use a photograph, some 2D elements and a 3D render to create an eye-catching, abstract liquid effect with a real sense of motion.

How to simulate screenprint effects in Photoshop

As Photoshop tutorials go, this is a little kooky. Learn how to clean up images in Photoshop, convert raster images to bitmaps and digitally create a silkscreened aesthetic. The results can be impressive.

How to create a stunning magazine cover in Photoshop

The Phlearn team show you how to turn a photo into a magazine cover, using V Magazine as an example.

How to add a colour splash effect in Photoshop CS6

Want to mix black and white imagery with a bit of colour? This three-minute tutorial will show you exactly how to isolate a specific colour in your photos.

How to use Curve effects like a pro in Photoshop CS5

An informative tutorial from Practical Photoshop magazine, showcasing the solarising technique popularised by the surrealist photographer Man Ray; a cool split tone effect; and a cross-processed look.

How to create an X-Ray effect in Photoshop

The distinctive negative tones and cyan hues of an X-ray can give an image some real impact. See how you can apply this effect to images in Photoshop.

5 ways to create a movie poster

Create The Hunger Games Poster Composite

See how you can recreate your favourite composites in Photoshop CS6, with this example of the hugely successful Hunger Games poster.

Battleship Poster in Photoshop CS6

Make your own billboard-worthy poster with this handy video tutorial from Abduzeedo. You'll be using Photoshop CS6 Beta with some usage of the brand new blur effects.

Create a Middle-Earth-inspired landscape

Calling all Lord of the Rings and Hobbit fans! This in-depth tutorial will show you how to create a lush and vibrant Middle-Earth-inspired landscape in Photoshop.

Create a Dark Knight Rises style wallpaper in CS6

The third movie in director Christopher Nolan's Batman franchise was a cracker - you can pay homage to it with this Dark Knight Rises style wallpaper tutorial.

Create a dark, vintage style motorcycle poster design

Follow this step-by-step Photoshop and Illustrator tutorial to combine photography and typography and create a dark vintage style motorcycle poster design.

That's it for now! Keep checking back for more Photoshop tutorials.

informative

The Effect of Color