Digital Illustration

This is a technique I would like to learn. The first two are Adobe Photoshop edited, and the second two were made from scratch using Adobe Illustrator.  Again, I could not locate the names of these pieces, and they are property of their respective owners.

I have two goals I would like to accomplish:

1- Achieve at least an amateur level status on photo editing, placement, and knowledge of every major tool necessary to produce an acceptable photo edit capable of competition entry. Preferred program: Adobe Photoshop

2- To achieve near mastery of illustration and graphic design and a full knowledge and mastery of the basic and most necessary tools which are required to produce a full digital piece. Preferred program: Adobe Illustrator