Deke’s Techniques

Your weekly quick-fix of Deke, with ideas you may inspire or inform your own projects.

Illustrator CC 2019 New Preview Modes

Deke comes at you fast and trim with Illustrator CC 2019’s new Trim View option for previewing your illustration.

Coloring Your Mandala Pattern in Photoshop CC 2019

Deke applies color to his mandala pattern in Photoshop by using a completely adjustable radial gradient adjustment layer. Or three.

Painting a Free-Form Mandala Pattern in Photoshop CC 2019

Deke demonstrates how he created a fast and floral free-form pattern using Photoshop CC 2019's new Mandala painting feature.

Mandala Patterns in Photoshop CC 2019

Deke celebrates 2019 with a new approach and a magical new feature in Photoshop CC.

Adding a Snowflake Bokeh “on the Lens” in Photoshop CC

Deke uses Photoshop to melt a few artificial snowflakes onto his imaginary camera to create a bokeh effect.

High Resolution Snowflakes in Photoshop

Deke creates snow where there was none before in Photoshop.

Adding a Photographic Element to Your Vector-Based Logo

Deke shows you how to efficiently incorporate a photo into your logo project.

Designing a Vector-Based Logo in Photoshop

Deke creates an easily duplicatable by-the-numbers logo in Photoshop, with lots of flexibility for client contributions.

Sampling Any Color Outside Photoshop

Deke shows you how to get outside Photoshop to bring back a chosen color for your project.

Under the Sea in Strict Monochrome

Deke takes a boring scuba photo and turns it into a surreal seascape by converting it to black and white.

Naming an Adjustment Layer as You Create It

Deke explains an ordinary shortcut in his extraordinary dekeStyle.

Creating an Old Monster-Movie Poster in Photoshop

Deke enhances his candy keeper with horrifying half-tone dots, cryptic creases and tears, and some ghoulishly glowing text.