Using Photoshop + Oil Painting

  I'm not an expert with photoshop, but I'm happy to be a part of a generation that uses computers to create images.  I use it as a tool to combine elements of my composition to get a rough idea of what I want.  In this image, I combined an oil study of the dog's head with a compositional sketch to see what it looks like.  It's fun to play around with and really easy to change.  
  I believe firmly in the need for strong drawing skills, but photoshop is a tool that should be learned.  I laugh at all the people who say that using photos or the computer is cheating; they both require an artistic eye, except you're trading pixels for pencil.
  I highly suggest that you take a basic photoshop course or just fool around with it until you figure it out.  Photoshop has a learning curve just like any other media, but you can learn even by watching some youtube tutorials.
  I used photoshop elements (which I think is still free) because it's super straightforward and easy to use.  That's also why I love basic palettes, because it's the bare essentials.  The great thing is that you can get really good with photoshop just like painting.  I've known some phenomenal photoshop wizards who make it an art-form in its own right.
  Go try it out and make something cool.