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Learn Photoshop

Edit, retouch and composite images with layers and masks, not guesswork.

Free to start. Built from a single prompt. No credit card.

Adobe Photoshop is the long-standing standard for editing raster images, the pixel-based files photos are made of. Photographers use it for retouching, designers for compositing and mockups, and illustrators for digital painting. It looks overwhelming because there are hundreds of tools, yet most real work relies on a small core: layers, masks, selections, adjustment layers and a few retouching tools. Learning to work non-destructively, so every change can be tweaked or undone later, matters most. Learnr builds a personalized Photoshop course from one prompt and teaches that core in short lessons. Learnr is not affiliated with Adobe.

How to learn Photoshop, step by step

Set up documents and learn the workspace. Learn image size and resolution, RGB for screens versus CMYK for print, and how to save a layered PSD alongside exported JPEG or PNG files. Reset the workspace to Essentials so tutorials match what you see.
Think in layers from day one. Duplicate the background with Ctrl+J or Cmd+J before editing, name your layers and group them. Try blend modes like Multiply, Screen and Overlay on a texture layer to see how layers combine.
Use masks instead of the eraser. Add a layer mask and paint black to hide and white to reveal. Unlike erasing pixels, masks let you fix mistakes later. Press X to swap foreground and background colors quickly while you paint.
Practice selections on hard subjects. Use Object Selection and Quick Selection for most shapes, the Pen tool for crisp product edges, and Select and Mask for hair and fur. Cut out the same portrait three ways and compare the edges.
Correct tone and color with adjustment layers. Learn Levels and Curves for contrast and Hue/Saturation for color, and clip an adjustment to a single layer so it affects only that layer. Adjustment layers leave the original pixels untouched.
Retouch and composite a real project. Remove blemishes with the Spot Healing Brush on an empty layer set to sample all layers, then place a subject on a new background, matching light direction and color. Short Learnr lessons help shortcuts stick between sessions.

What you'll learn

Work with layers, groups and blend modes
Make precise selections and refine hair and soft edges
Edit non-destructively with masks and adjustment layers
Retouch with the healing, clone and content-aware tools
Composite several images into one believable picture

What's inside your Photoshop course

A sample path Learnr builds for Photoshop. Your real course adapts to your goal and level.

1. The workspace, resolution and color modes
2. Layers, groups and blend modes
3. Selections and masks
4. Adjustment layers for tone and color
5. Retouching and cleanup
6. Compositing, Smart Objects and exporting

How long does it take to learn Photoshop?

Most beginners learn layers, masks, selections and basic adjustments in 3 to 6 weeks of regular practice. Clean retouching and believable compositing usually take 3 to 6 months. Professional speed takes longer and comes from real projects, not just watching tutorials.

What you need before you start

A computer that can run Photoshop and access through an Adobe plan or trial. A mouse works, but a pen tablet helps for masking and retouching. No editing experience is required.

Common mistakes to avoid

Erasing pixels and painting directly on the photo, which makes changes permanent. Use masks, adjustment layers and separate retouching layers.
Leaving dozens of layers named Layer 1 copy 3. Name and group layers so you can find and change things later.
Over-retouching skin until it looks plastic. Keep the texture, work at lower opacity, and compare with the original often.

How Learnr builds your course

Type your topic

Tell Learnr you want to learn Photoshop, or get as specific as you like.

Get a personalized course

Learnr instantly builds a full Photoshop course tailored to your goal and skill level.

Learn and level up

Move through bite-sized lessons and interactive practice, earning XP and keeping your streak.

Photoshop questions, answered

Are there free alternatives for learning Photoshop skills?

Yes. GIMP is free and open source, and Photopea is a free browser editor with a similar layout. Layers, masks, selections and adjustments work alike, so the skills transfer, though shortcuts and some tools differ.

Should I learn Photoshop or Illustrator?

Photoshop edits pixel images like photos and digital paintings. Illustrator creates vector graphics like logos and icons that scale to any size. Photographers and retouchers usually start with Photoshop, and logo and icon designers with Illustrator.