I really think it comes down to using them a lot. Do you know anyone who uses these programs professionally? If you do I would get them to work with you. They will have lots of tips of the trade that make using them easier. If you have a project that requires you to use these programs – a real project – that helps too for me because I have no choice but to master things.

I’ve found just playing around with either program when you’re bored helps. It’s taken me years, and I’m still learning (still don’t use the pen tool much myself) but something I really enjoy is doing some of the more advanced tutorials over on PSD Vault (http://www.psdvault.com/) there’s a lot of cool things and most of the tutorials are pretty straight forward. I’ve learned a lot of cool techniques by just following along through the boring parts to get to the good stuff. I also like that you see the end product first, so it’s kind of like window shopping for ideas/techniques. If you dig that site, I have a ton of similar resources I can share with you… all of which are free and pretty cool.

Number one way is to use it often to ingrain the program into your long term memory. I have gone to Photoshop training for a specific technique, but if I don’t use that technique enough I will forget it.

Second thing is to get a book that you can have open beside you and make notes in as you work through it, the notes will help you when you open up the book later to refresh your memory, you won’t have to read the whole book again. I am teaching an online Dreamweaver class and that is basically what I am helping the students to do, work their way through a tutorial book.

Third, apply what you learn to a specific project. Work on something for a friend or family, something that has a goal to aim for and a completion date where you can step back and admire a finished project. Repeat this step often.

there is always… linda.com ^.^

correction! lynda.com…. lol

The pen tool, yes. That takes practice. I love Illustrator as I can actually draw in that program. I would have to tell you to enroll in a college class. Take one at a time. Graphic art can become fairly overwhelming (for me). As the programs are so involved. There are so many things you can create with both of those software programs.