How artists Like Elise Swopes have made creative careers with the support of Adobe Photoshop

Well that’s how a lot of us at Tyla HQ feel about being a content creator. We could have gone pro… If only we knew how to use Photoshop.

But since Adobe launched Photoshop on iPhone (which is super easy to use) it seems like we can’t use that excuse anymore. So while we grumble away and try and find another excuse, we thought we’d chat to a content creator whose career is flourishing:

The real queen of Photoshop, Ms. Elise Swopes.

Better known as @swopes on Instagram, Elise is the OG Instagram & Surreal iPhone Artist. She’s such a wizard on Photoshop that she’s built an enviable career out of it… So we thought: Who better to talk to about the new Photoshop mobile app?

Elise has been creating on her phone for over a decade. Before the launch of the Photoshop app, she told us that she had to use multiple creative tools to accomplish her creative workflow, which was in all honesty - a bit of a faff.

“Having full-powered Photoshop in my pocket still feels unreal,” she says.

She recalls her early days as an artist. “There was a time I couldn’t even print my work because it was so low-quality, and I couldn't add more layers than a few. Now I can make precise selections with one tap, extend scenes with a text prompt, and fine-tune colour and tone in the same mobile experience with unlimited layers.”

She laughs and describes her early pieces as “charmingly gritty”, which we struggle to believe (if you’ve seen her work, you’ll struggle to believe it too!)

Reflecting on her journey, she says: “Now they’re high resolution, polished, and refined without ever leaving my phone. It’s wild to think how far we’ve come.”

So where should a beginner start?

Elise suggests heading straight to the “Learn” tab - it literally shows you step-by-step tutorials on how to get started, with helpful instructions on tools, features, and creative techniques. It’s like having your own personal Photoshop teacher in your pocket.

What next? She says, “Then try creating a poster using just a background image from stock or your own camera roll, a cutout with Tap Select, and some text. Learn how layers work, then build from there.”

Elise’s favourite features

The new Photoshop mobile app is packed with great features, but which are Elise’s favourites?

Tap Select

“Hands-down my favourite. So intuitive and magical. It's wild how easy it is to isolate something like a giraffe with just a tap, even in a complex scene. I paired it with a Chicago skyline to build a surreal, high-res poster that I can actually print” she says.

Generative Fill

“Being able to create with a prompt while mobile still blows my mind.” She says. “I’m genuinely such a fan.”

“I used Generative Expand to resize for socials, layered in some adjustments, and kept the whole piece cohesive with built-in Adobe Stock images that drop straight onto my canvas—no storage stress on my phone.”

Lasso Tool

“I use it to separate parts, like a giraffe’s head or a building peeking out of the clouds. I love clouds.”

Adjustment Layers

“I love this feature for giving everything that final cohesive polish.”

Layer Management

Last but not least! Elise adds, “Dragging, locking, and organising is so smooth, especially with the pop-up detail view. And unlimited layers? A dream!”

But her two faves?

“Definitely Tap Select. Also, Generative Fill feels so futuristic on mobile.”

In a classy move which definitely made us feel better, Elise admits that finding your way around Photoshop can be a little overwhelming. But the mobile app is so much easier and intuitive! And her advice?

“Don’t rush,” she says calmly. “Take time to explore what each tool does, tap around, zoom in, and test the limits. The app is surprisingly powerful, and the UI is built to support you, not overwhelm you.”

“Also, don’t forget to play. Creativity flows when you're curious, not when you're trying to be perfect.”

Written by Georgia Grace Bell