Can somebody advice?(Need directions)

[Rajat Saxena]

I am starting out as a freelance website developer so I need to improve my graphics drawing skill. Up till now I'm using an open source tool GIMP to create the concepts and mock ups of the websites I design.I know that Photoshop is the Industry standard(at least as far as I know). So,what books can help me in learning some advanced Photoshop techniques used frequently in web designing.Also I want to learn how to draw cartoon characters like this octocat.I know it is a matter of creativity but still there must be some techniques which I can learn.Please express your views.
Just for the record,I'm basically a web developer so my graphics drawing capabilities are very limited(but I want to improve that).

 

[Remote-Medic]

Not sure of any books but for basics and advanced stuff within Ps, take a look at you-tube. Lots of great stuff there.

 

[Steve]

Specific books, I can't help you.
I do know Scott Kelby has a ton of great books on Photoshop.

 

[Kyle Hafford]

Lesa Snider wrote "PHOTOSHOP CS6 - The Missing Manual". Great book. Some other great avenues is to look at creative live. They do some awesome webcasts on the teaching of Photoshop and its many uses. I would much rather see someone teaching something then to read a book.