Scott Kelby has a technique to turn a photo into a painting. I tried using the new mixer brush to create an oil painting effect. It's not as easy as you think to create art out of a photo. It's literally painting on the photo, stretching out the colours to give the paint effect. I added in some grain and put on a canvas texture to give it a more `artistic' feel. I also used filter and applied water colour (slightly).
You should try out his technique which is simple but you need to know how to use the brush tools to give it the best effect. In other words, you do need to know how to `paint' a little bit, otherwise you photo will end up messy.
So here is the result of a fruit salad photoshop.

Location: Kuching River