GETTING STARTED

GETTING STARTED. Welcome to our website if you are a visitor or a new subscriber. My name is Jason and I am an Illustrator and Teacher (BFA). (Nerd Alert) My Master's Degree is in Education, specifically in Curriculum and Instruction. We have (100+) Beginner Tutorials, Challenges, and Playlists for you to Learn Adobe Illustrator. 
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GETTING STARTED. If you are new to our Website or YouTube Channel, I recommend starting with our Getting Started Guide. Many of our tutorials will follow an easy process for creating artwork in Adobe Illustrator. Start with our Beginner Guides or Adobe Illustrator Tutorials.
beginner adobe illustrator tutorial coyote
DIGITAL DOWNLOADS. Many of you are jumping over from YouTube looking to download our Adobe Illustrator Brushes, Halftones, and Textures. Digital Downloads will come through our friends at Teachable. You can download Individual Folders or save on our Resource Bundles.
beginner adobe illustrator tutorial pug
ILLUSTRATOR TUTORIALS. Tutorials are designed to build up time within the program by applying the Tools and Settings. Tutorials will focus on using Building Tools, Applying Brushes, Editing Options, and Advanced Coloring Techniques in Adobe Illustrator.
beginner adobe illustrator tutorial coyote
DOWNLOAD BRUSHES. Many of you are jumping over from YouTube looking to download our Adobe Illustrator Brushes. Once you have downloaded and extracted the Folders, follow along with our Resource Guide and Tutorials to edit and apply Brush Libraries.
beginner adobe illustrator tutorial pug
RESOURCE GUIDES. Digital Downloads will come as a Zipped Folder. Once you have Downloaded and Extracted the Resource Folders, they are ready to be used in Adobe Illustrator. Follow along with our Resource Guides and Tutorials to learn how to Apply Brushes + Halftones + Textures.
beginner adobe illustrator tutorial pug
GETTING STARTED: Many of our tutorials will follow an easy process for creating artwork in Adobe Illustrator. I have organized tutorials by core areas of your Workflow: Building, Editing, and Coloring. LEARNING TARGET: Understand the Primary Building Tools and Options.
beginner adobe illustrator tutorial pug
ILLUSTRATOR TUTORIALS: Our Beginner Tutorials will follow an easy process for creating artwork in Adobe Illustrator. If you are new, it is important to understand the Tools Options and Settings. LEARNING TARGET: Understand the Primary Building Tools and Options.
beginner adobe illustrator tutorial pug
DIGITAL DOWNLOADS: Many of you are jumping over from YouTube looking to download our Adobe Illustrator Brushes and Resource Folders. Digital Downloads will come through our friends at Teachable. LEARNING TARGET: Download our Brush Libraries, T-Shirt Textures, or Resource Bundles.
beginner adobe illustrator tutorial pug
RESOURCE GUIDES: In our Beginner Tutorials and YouTube Playlists, I will be using Resource Images, Brush Libraries, and Color Swatches to create my Artwork. LEARNING TARGET: Download Photo References, Brush Libraries, and Color Swatches. 
beginner adobe illustrator tutorial pug
BEGINNER GUIDES: Many of our tutorials will follow an easy process for creating artwork in Adobe Illustrator. If you are new to Adobe Illustrator, start with Beginner Guides or Primary Building Tools.  LEARNING TARGET: Understand the Primary Building Tools and Options in Adobe Illustrator.
beginner adobe illustrator tutorial pug
BEGINNER GUIDES: Many of our tutorials will follow an easy process for creating artwork in Adobe Illustrator. If you are new to Adobe Illustrator, start with Beginner Guides or Illustrator Tutorials.  LEARNING TARGET: Understand how to apply the Primary Building Tools and Options in Adobe Illustrator.
beginner adobe illustrator tutorial pug
DOWNLOAD BRUSHES: Many of you are jumping over from YouTube looking to download our (Updated) Adobe Illustrator Brushes. Digital Downloads will come to you through our friends at Teachable. Brush Libraries include our 70 Cartoon, 100 Comic Strip, and 50 Vintage Mascot Brushes.
beginner adobe illustrator tutorial pug
DOWNLOAD RESOURCES: In our Beginner Guides, Tutorials, and YouTube Playlists, I use Stock Photos, Drawing Templates, Resource Guides, Color Swatches, and Fonts to create my artwork. LEARNING TARGET: Download Stock Photos, Templates, Color Swatches, and Font Families to use with your artwork.
beginner adobe illustrator tutorial pug
ILLUSTRATOR TUTORIALS: I have organized tutorials by core areas of your Workflow: Building, Editing, and Coloring. Pay attention to the Sequence of Events and Tool Options related to building a "Routine" or "Workflow." LEARNING TARGET: Understand how to apply Building, Variation, Editing, and Advanced Color Techniques. 
beginner adobe illustrator tutorial pug
RESOURCE GUIDES: Digital Downloads will come through our friends at Teachable. Once you have downloaded and extracted the Resource Folders, they are ready to be used in Adobe Illustrator. LEARNING TARGET: Understand how to apply Brush Libraries, Comic Halftones, and BMP Textures.
RESOURCE GUIDES: As I create my artwork, pay attention to the resources being used throughout the Workflows, Tutorials, and YouTube Playlists. LEARNING TARGET: Understand how to apply Brush Libraries, Color Swatches, Comic Halftones, and BMP Textures in Adobe Illustrator.
beginner adobe illustrator tutorial pug
BEGINNER GUIDES: Our Beginner Tutorials will follow an easy process for creating artwork in Adobe Illustrator. If you are new, it is important to understand the Tools Options and Settings. LEARNING TARGET: Understand the Primary Building Tools and Options.
beginner adobe illustrator tutorial pug
DOWNLOAD RESOURCES: Our Getting Started Guide will walk you through the process of downloading, saving, and gathering resources for your artwork and designs. LEARNING TARGET: Download and Save Photo References, Color Swatches, and Font Families. 
beginner adobe illustrator tutorial pug
ILLUSTRATOR TUTORIALS: As I am creating my artwork, pay attention to the Sequence of Events and Tool Options as it relates to building a "Routine" or "Workflow." LEARNING TARGET: Apply Variation, Editing, and Advanced Color Techniques to your own Artwork. 
beginner adobe illustrator tutorial pug
DIGITAL DOWNLOADS: Many of you are jumping over from YouTube looking to download our Adobe Illustrator Brushes and Resource Folders. Digital Downloads will come through our friends at Teachable. Download our Brush Libraries, T-Shirt Textures, or Resource Bundle.
beginner adobe illustrator tutorial pug
RESOURCE GUIDES: Digital Downloads will come as Zipped Folders. Once you have Downloaded and Extracted the Resource Folders, they are ready to be used in Adobe Illustrator. Follow along with our Resource Guides to learn how to Apply Brushes + Halftones + Textures.

WORKFLOW UNITS

WORKFLOW UNITS: I have organized tutorials by core areas of your Workflow: Building, Editing, and Coloring. LEARNING TARGET (1): Understand the Building Tools and Options. LEARNING TARGET (2): Understand Line Variation along with Live and Expanded Editing Tools. LEARNING TARGET (3): Understand Color, Values, and Gradients using Advanced Coloring Techniques.

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BUILDING: Understand and Apply the different Building Tools in Adobe Illustrator. 

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    EDITING: Understand and Apply Live and Expanded Editing Tools in Adobe Illustrator.

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      COLORING: Understand and Apply Live Paint and Advanced Coloring Techniques in Adobe Illustrator.

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        (PENCIL TOOL): Many of you are looking to use your Tablet with Adobe Illustrator. I am going to recommend breaking down your current tablet workflow into multiple steps. I do see a lot of mistakes when people try to combine too many steps all at once with their new tablets. 

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          (ELLIPSE TOOL): A good place to start if you are new to Adobe Illustrator is our Beginner Guide (Shapes). We will be going through Building with Shapes, Align Panel, Pathfinder, and Basic Color Fills. There are Beginner Guides for the Pen Tool and Tablet if you are new to the website or Adobe Illustrator. 

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            (PEN TOOL): If you are frustrated with the Pen Tool, a simple tip is to break down the process into 2 Steps. The first step is to just apply Anchor Points to the start-curve-end of a line or path. The second step is to adjust the Curves with the Anchor Point Tool or Smooth Curve Button in the Control Panel. 

              BEGINNER GUIDES

              BEGINNER GUIDES: Many of you will be using Shapes, Pencil, and Pen Tools as your Primary Building Tools in Adobe Illustrator. As I am creating my artwork, pay attention to the Tools, Options, and Settings. LEARNING TARGET: Understand the Primary Building Tools and Options.
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              BEGINNER GUIDE: If you are frustrated with the Pen Tool, a simple tip is to break down the process into 2 Steps for Anchor Points and Curves. The first step is to apply Anchor Points to the start-curve-end of a line. TUTORIAL 1 / TUTORIAL 2 / TUTORIAL 3

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                BEGINNER GUIDE: Many of you are looking to use your Tablet with Adobe Illustrator and are potentially on our Pug Challenge. I am going to highly recommend using the Pencil Tool as your Primary Building Tool using a Tablet. TUTORIAL 1 / TUTORIAL 2

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                  BEGINNER GUIDE: A good place to start if you are new to Adobe Illustrator is our Beginner Guide (Shapes). We will be going through Building with Shapes, Align Panel, Pathfinder, and Basic Color Fills. TUTORIAL 1 / TUTORIAL 2 / TUTORIAL 3

                    FREE RESOURCES

                    FREE RESOURCES: Download and Save Free Stock Photos, Color Swatches, and Font Families to use with your own artwork and designs. LEARNING TARGET (1): Bookmark Resource Links or Webpages to a Folder in your Internet Browser for Quick Access. LEARNING TARGET (2): Download Free Stock Photos, Color Swatches, and Font Families to use with your artwork and designs.
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                    BUILDING ARTBOARD: I recommend establishing an Artboard that you can use for all of your artwork. The initial Artboard Size can be changed at any point without ruining your own artwork. LEARNING TARGET: Create a "Building Template" that includes Artboards and Template Layers.
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                    RESOURCE IMAGE: If you are a Beginner, I am going to recommend starting from a Resource Image. Give yourself a "Traceable Path" by using a Clean Line Drawing or Traced Photo. LEARNING TARGET: Start with the Resource you intend on using for your artwork (Sketch, Drawing, or Traced Stock Photo).
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                    TEMPLATE LAYER: Have your Drawing, Sketch, or Traced Photo Selected. In your Layers Panel, select the Menu in the Upper-Right Hand Corner. Drop down to Template. This will create 50% Opacity and Lock the Layer. LEARNING TARGET: Create a Template Layer so you can see the Resource Image and new Paths.

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                    BUILDING ARTBOARD: I recommend establishing an Artboard that you can use for all of your artwork. The initial Artboard Size can be changed at any point without ruining your own artwork. LEARNING TARGET: Create a "Building Template" that includes Artboards and Template Layers.
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                    STOCK PHOTOS: I recommend using Unsplash for your Sketch, Drawing, and Color References. If you are new, I recommend creating a "Traceable Path" by using a Clean Line Drawing or Traced Stock Photo. LEARNING TARGET: Download Stock Photos to use for your artwork and designs.
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                    TEMPLATE LAYER: Have your Drawing, Sketch, or Traced Photo Selected. In your Layers Panel, select the Menu in the Upper-Right Hand Corner. Drop down to Template. This will create 50% Opacity and Lock the Layer. LEARNING TARGET: Create a Template Layer so you can see the Resource and new Paths.

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                    BRUSH LIBRARIES: Many of our Tutorials will go through a process of applying and editing our Brush Libraries. Brush Libraries will come as Zipped Folders, Extract All before using in Adobe Illustrator. LEARNING TARGET: Download Brush Libraries to use with your own artwork or designs.

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                    COLOR SWATCHES: I highly recommend using Adobe Color for your Themes to add to your Library or download ASE Files. In most tutorials, we will be applying Flat Colors using Live Paint. LEARNING TARGET: Download or Save Color Themes to use with your own artwork and designs.

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                    FONT FAMILIES: I recommend using Adobe Fonts for Commercial Use. If you are New, look for Font Families to use for your Primary Business or Marketing (Headers + Sub Headers). LEARNING TARGET: Download or Save Fonts to use with your own artwork and designs. 

                    DIGITAL DOWNLOADS

                    DIGITAL DOWNLOADS. Many of you are jumping over from YouTube looking to download our Adobe Illustrator Brushes and Resource Folders. Digital Downloads will come as Zipped Folders. Download and Extract before using in Adobe Illustrator. LEARNING TARGET: Download our Adobe Illustrator Brush Libraries, Comic Halftones, T-Shirt Textures, or Resource Bundle. 
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                    CARTOON BRUSHES: Adobe Illustrator Cartoon Brushes are my go-to brushes for Professional Logos, Cartoons, Mascots, and Branding. Use Cartoon Illustrator Brushes with the Pen, Pencil or Paint Brush Tools to Apply different Line Variation to your Vector Artwork. DOWNLOAD BRUSHES
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                    COMIC STRIP BRUSHES: Hand Painted + Comic Strip Brushes to get a lived in feel back into your Vector Art. Comic Strips and Hand Painted are painted based on some of my favorite artists and cartoonists. These brushes are designed to look ready for the Sunday Paper. DOWNLOAD BRUSHES
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                    MASCOT BRUSHES: Jittery Hand, Caffeinated Cartoonist + Rough Ink Brushes to Mimic Paper Bleed and Caffeine. Designed to be a little less stiff with your vector art. Use these Brush Libraries to get more of a distressed look or ink bleed back in your own Vector Artwork. DOWNLOAD BRUSHES
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                    ADOBE ILLUSTRATOR BRUSHES. Brushes are specifically designed for Illustrators and Cartoonists to speed up their workflow. Brushes Libraries allow for Pressure Sensitivity if you are using a Tablet for Inking your Line Variation. Apply with Pen, Pencil, Shapes, or Paintbrush Tools. Brush Libraries: 70 Cartoon, 100 Comic Strip, and 50 Vintage Mascot Brushes.
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                    ADOBE ILLUSTRATOR HALFTONES. Halftones and Patterns Fills are designed for easy application even if you are new to Adobe Illustrator. Halftone Fills behave the same as a Color Swatch so you can apply them quickly using the Blob Brush, Live Paint, or Basic Fills. Halftones: 70 Comic Strip Halftone Fills and Pattern Fills.
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                    ADOBE ILLUSTRATOR TEXTURES. BMP Textures are extremely easy to use even if you are a beginner to Adobe Illustrator. Simply File-Place the Textures over your finished artwork to use with the Transparency Panel. Use with Opacity Masks for T-Shirt Distressing. BMP Textures: 145 Cracks, 120 Grunge Distressing, 75 Paper, and 77 Paint Splatter Textures. 
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                    ADOBE ILLUSTRATOR BRUSHES. Brushes are specifically designed for Illustrators and Cartoonists to speed up their workflow. Brushes Libraries allow for Pressure Sensitivity if you are using a Tablet for Inking your Line Variation. Apply with Pen, Pencil, Shapes, or Paintbrush Tools. Brush Libraries include 70 Cartoon, 100 Comic Strip, and 50 Vintage Mascot Brushes.
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                    ADOBE ILLUSTRATOR HALFTONES. Halftones are designed for easy application even if you are new to Adobe Illustrator. Halftone Fills behave the same as a Color Swatch so you can apply them quickly using the Blob Brush, Live Paint, or Basic Fills. Halftones include 70 Comic Strip Halftone Fills and Pattern Fills.
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                    ADOBE ILLUSTRATOR TEXTURES. Textures are extremely easy to use even if you are a beginner to Adobe Illustrator. Simply File-Place the Textures over your finished artwork to use with the Transparency Panel and Opacity Masks. BMP Textures include 145 Cracks, 120 Grunge Distressing, 75 Paper, and 77 Paint Splatter Textures. 
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                    200 ADOBE ILLUSTRATOR BRUSHES. Our Brushes are specifically designed for Illustrators and Cartoonists to speed up their workflow. Brushes Libraries allow for Pressure Sensitivity if you are using a Tablet for Inking your Line Variation. Apply with Pen, Pencil, Shapes, or Paintbrush Tools. Brush Libraries: 70 Cartoon, 100 Comic Strip, and 50 Vintage Mascot Brushes.
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                    70 ADOBE ILLUSTRATOR HALFTONES. Our Halftones and Patterns Fills are designed for easy application even if you are new to Adobe Illustrator. Halftone Fills behave the same as a Color Swatch so you can apply them quickly using the Blob Brush, Live Paint, or Basic Fills. Halftones: 70 Comic Strip Halftone Fills and Pattern Fills.
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                    400 ADOBE ILLUSTRATOR TEXTURES. Our BMP Textures are extremely easy to use even if you are a beginner to Adobe Illustrator. Simply File-Place the Textures over your finished artwork to use with the Transparency Panel. Use with Opacity Masks for T-Shirt Distressing. BMP Textures: 145 Cracks, 120 Grunge Distressing, 75 Paper, and 77 Paint Splatter Textures. 

                    RESOURCE GUIDES

                    RESOURCE GUIDES. Digital Downloads will come as Zipped Folders. Once you have downloaded and extracted the Resource Folders, they are ready to be used in Adobe Illustrator. LEARNING TARGET: Start with our Resource Guides and Tutorials to learn how to Apply Brushes + Halftones + Textures.

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                    BRUSHES GUIDE: Follow Along to our Brushes Resource Guide to assist you in Saving the Brush Libraries, Applying your Brushes, and Editing with Shape Builder in Adobe Illustrator.
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                    HALFTONES GUIDE. Follow Along to our Halftones Resource Guide to assist you in Importing Halftones, Applying Halftones, Resizing Pattern Fills, and Coloring Halftones in Adobe Illustrator
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                    TEXTURES GUIDE. Follow Along to our Textures Resource Guide to assist you in Placing Textures, Coloring BMP Textures, Using Clipping Masks, and Applying Textures using Opacity Masks in Adobe Illustrator.
                    I appreciate your videos. I have been an illustrator user for years and have my own ways of doing things. It's great to see other ways of using tools and learning tricks I didn't know were available! It's also good to see you doing the same thing as me in other instances, confirming I'm on the right track!Andy Zenz
                    Awesome tutorial! I don't think I've picked up something so easily from someone who knows what they are doing. I managed to draw my first vector art and it was a joy! Great work keep it up!blitz145
                    Thank you loads! Compared to other tutorials, yours are just really well-explained and easy-to-follow. Can totally see that you've got a passion for what you're doing and that's just wonderful! 🙂 Keep it up, you're doing an amazing job. Yulia Kachurova
                    Love your video thanks so much. you blow Lynda.com out of the water!!!!Steve Yensel
                    Brilliant video. So much great info packed in here. I'm just getting started drawing cartoons with my Wacom tablet, and this was a huge help. Thumbs up and thanks!Dorian Staten
                    Wow Thanks Jason...was really struggling with making images with basic shapes. Your tutorial is helping me out!!Kishor Rajani
                    thanks a lot you are really one of my favorites, I like the steps you give us, and I'm so thankful for that effort you do for helping us :)Wessam Lotfi
                    Keep up the good work Jason. I’ve been doing Lynda.com tutorials for a few months now and I got more out of your videos than what I’ve received at Lynda. Keep it up and Thank You!!bobby jacobs • 1 year ago
                    These tutorials are amazing. Just started using illustrator and really glad I found your channel. The only videos that explain everything step by stepAida Stan
                    You are definitely one of the best teachers I've found dealing with start to finish creative process. Great work!!!Jasen Fisher
                    Thank you so much man, I loved the way you explain this, I spent days looking for a good tutorial vid, thanks a lot, gonna keep watching your videos!!!Karel Marccenaro
                    Awesome tutorial! I don't think I've picked up something so easily from someone who knows what they are doing. I managed to draw my first vector art and it was a joy! Great work keep it up!blitz145
                    Thank you loads! Compared to other tutorials, yours are just really well-explained and easy-to-follow. Can totally see that you've got a passion for what you're doing and that's just wonderful! 🙂 Keep it up, you're doing an amazing job. Yulia Kachurova
                    Love your video thanks so much. you blow Lynda.com out of the water!!!!Steve Yensel
                    Brilliant video. So much great info packed in here. I'm just getting started drawing cartoons with my Wacom tablet, and this was a huge help. Thumbs up and thanks!Dorian Staten
                    Keep up the good work Jason. I’ve been doing Lynda.com tutorials for a few months now and I got more out of your videos than what I’ve received at Lynda. Keep it up and Thank You!!bobby jacobs • 1 year ago
                    These tutorials are amazing. Just started using illustrator and really glad I found your channel. The only videos that explain everything step by stepAida Stan
                    You are definitely one of the best teachers I've found dealing with start to finish creative process. Great work!!!Jasen Fisher