Learning Adobe Photoshop & Illustrator as a Self-Published Author
- jessjubie13
- May 16, 2025
- 2 min read
As a children's book author, educator, and now fantasy novelist, I'm always looking for ways to bring my stories to life—visually and emotionally. That’s why I’ve started learning Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator.
These two programs have a bit of a learning curve, but they're game-changers. Here’s why I’m diving in:
Photoshop: For Stunning Visuals
I’m using it to:
Design TikTok and other social media content with more polish
Edit book cover mockups and promotional banners
Add effects to my artwork and concept illustrations
Tip: Start with simple tutorials like “how to remove backgrounds” or “how to use adjustment layers.” Canva is great—but Photoshop gives you control over every pixel.
Illustrator: For Vector Magic
This is my go-to for:
Creating book logos and icons
Designing custom illustrations for crafting or my book covers
Making clean, scalable art for bookmarks and printables
Tip: Learn the Pen Tool early—it’s tricky but essential. I like using a stylus but I plan to upgrade to an apple pencil for my iPad. Use Illustrator for any design you may want to resize without losing quality.
Where I’m Learning
YouTube: “Photoshop for Beginners” by Adobe and Envato Tuts+
Tiktok Creators: Quick design hacks in under a minute!
Why It Matters
Whether I’m creating magical maps for Inkborn, Book Covers for my Upcoming Books, or social media content to grow my audience—this skill gives me creative freedom and control over my brand.
More Youtube Channels:
Pros: Offers more creative flexibility, allowing you to add depth and develop a truly unique book cover.
Cons: Can be expensive and requires a significant time investment to learn and master.
Get your downloadable code cheat sheet here:
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