Adobe Illustrator Tutorial adding Gradients.
Adobe Illustrator Tutorial adding Gradients will follow a simple process of inking using the pen tool, adding custom brushes, and adding flat color using live paint. In this easy to follow step by step tutorial we will be going through our resource document to build our character and practice using the pen tool, live paint, and gradients.
Flat Color
Using live paint is a fast way of getting down flat color without having to use pathfinder to create shapes.
Cast Shadows
The knife tool is a fast and easy way for beginners to cut into their existing shapes to add cast and drop shadows within their characters.
Gradients
We will be adding linear and radial gradients and go through how to edit and change direction with the gradient menu and tool.
Adding on Line Variation using Cartoon Brushes
You will have more control over the placement and width of each of your lines using the Cartoon Brushes. The process will be a combination of using the Brushes to get down the initial thickness and stroke width. The second step will be modifying the placement of the variation using the so we can edit later. This 2-Step Process allows for more control over your Line Variation compared to using your Tablet with Pressure.
Download Brushes
1. The Direct Download will make it very easy to download the zipped brushes file. Simply Extract All of the contents and follow along with the rest of the video.
Open Other Library
2. In your Brushes Panel, Window – Brushes. In the Bottom Left Hand Corner you will see a Brushes Library icon that looks like books. Click on it and scroll down to Other Library. Open Brush Library from folder.
Adding Line Weight
3. Depending on your own Style or preference, I would recommend adding a little more line weight to your artwork. The mistake I see a lot of beginners make is keeping the line weight at 1pt.
Cartoon Brushes
4. We have 17 Brush Libraries in our folder. You can use any one of them during this tutorial. All you have to do is line up the thin edge which will be floating in space. The Thick ends will represent our values which will be merging into other areas and strokes.
