At the top of your Layers palette you will see a little box with the word "Default" in it.  Click the arrow and a drop down menu will appear with a list of different compositing effects.  Test each one out on an image and you will see what changes occur.  You can apply any of them to each layer you add to your image.

I also use Painter, so most of my books are on that program with one being a combo on Painter and Photoshop, so I can't help on that.  You might check Amazon.com for Photoshop books, I know they have them.

There are loads of web resources.  One that I like are the Wacom.com tutorials.  Adobe has them, and so many others.  Do a Google search.  Plus, I know others will give you some resources to check out.

“Music is harmony, harmony is perfection, perfection is our dream, and our dream is heaven”
Henri Frederic Amiel