I want to learn photoshop - recommend me a mouse pen! (and a training pkg if poss)

[Ratfink]

Hello!!

So a graphic design friend is gonna sell me an older copy of photoshop on the cheap - he's a whizz and I would like to learn half the trickery he can do.

I thought this would be a fun project to play with, and having seen the program in action - I think it would be easier with a mouse pen like he has.

Any recommendations for a decent mouse pen (and pad?) on the budget end of the scale?

Also, how did you guys learn - can you recommend a book? or online training course? I need something symplistic for real beginners.. and again, cheap (as i'm sure 1 on 1 training courses would be the way to go if I could afford it, or was considering a career out of it)..this is just a fun hobby to make a few pics, and manipulate photos for my amusement

Any help would be much appreciated!

[NicolaUK]

Wacom for tablets and a good place to start teaching yourself will be the included tutorials

[Ratfink]

Thanks Nicola! So, something like this I found at Amazon UK would suffice? I just picked one at the lower end of the budget scale.. not really understanding the differences between them..

So, they come with their own art program to play with? Is there anything I can pick up that's photoshop specific to assist in training with that program?

I appreciate the advice! Thanks!

[Hex]

if you have an Aldi near you one of the sunday specials yesterday was an A4 graphics pad. Got something similar last time they had one in and it's not too bad. linky

Difference between that and the Wacom is that the pen would need a battery to work, on the plus side though the Aldi pad is A4 size

[Gerschwin]

Pick up a cheaper, older Wacom off eBay. The newer Wacom Bamboo ones look ok for about Ł50 too.
I picked up a lot from just Googling Photoshop tutorials - millions out there

[Ratfink]

Thanks Guys! Will look into it..

Have had a google myself.. there does seem a fair bit. I just need everything clear and broken into easily digestible chunks when it comes to programs like this.

Cheers again.

[pkr]

The Wacom site sometimes have 'demo' units cheap.

http://www.wacom-europe.com/uk/index.asp