BEGINNER GUIDE

ADOBE ILLUSTRATOR

Download our ADOBE ILLUSTRATOR BRUSHES + RESOURCES to Follow Along with our Tutorials or use them with Your Own Vector Artwork.

TUTORIALS: Our Adobe Illustrator Tutorials will focus on the 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.
TUTORIALS: 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): Apply Line Variation along with Live and Expanded Editing Tools. LEARNING TARGET (3): Apply Color, Values, and Gradients using Advanced Coloring Techniques.
GETTING STARTED: Our Getting Started Guides will walk you through the process of downloading, saving, and gathering resources for your own artwork.  LEARNING TARGET (1): Download Stock Photos to use as a Resource Images. LEARNING TARGET (2): Download and Save Brush Libraries. LEARNING TARGET (3): Download or Save Color Swatches.
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.
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).
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.
BEGINNER: If you are a Beginner to Adobe Illustrator, I will recommend creating clean Contour Line Drawing. This can be accomplished by tracing a stock photo or simplifying your own Sketches.
INTERMEDIATE: The next phase will be to prepare your drawings for the Initial Building Phase in Adobe Illustrator. Many of you will be using Ellipse, Pen, and Curvature Tools as your Primary Building Tools.
ADVANCED: As you become more aware of the Tools and Options in Adobe Illustrator, you can save time in your workflow by using quick sketches. Use either Paper or Digital Methods.
RESOURCE IMAGES: If you are a Beginner, I am going to recommend not starting from a Blank Artboard. Give yourself 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.
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.
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.
FOCUS: 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): Apply Line Variation along with Live and Expanded Editing Tools. LEARNING TARGET (3): Apply Color, Values, and Gradients using Advanced Coloring Techniques.
"BUILDING" ARTBOARD: I recommend establishing a "Standardized Approach" that you can use for your own 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, Resources, and Template Layers.
DOWNLOAD RESOURCES: 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).
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.
RESOURCE IMAGES: 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 Stock Photo. LEARNING TARGET: Download Resource Images to use for your artwork and designs.
COLOR SWATCHES: I highly recommend using Adobe Color for your Themes to add to your Library or download .ASE Files to Open. 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.
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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REFERENCE IMAGES: For your own artwork, download Free Stock Photos (Unsplash / Pixabay / Pexels) to use as Drawing, Design, and Color References. I recommend gathering a few different options based on the subject matter you are drawing. I recommend gathering and organizing resources within the same project folder (Stock Photos / Sketches / Thumbnails / Color Swatches).  LEARNING TARGET: For your own artwork, I recommend starting from a Drawing, Sketch, or Traced Stock Photo. LEARNING TARGET: Use either Paper or Digital Drawing Methods.

WELCOME. 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+) Tutorials, Challenges, and Guides for you to Learn Adobe Illustrator.
DOWNLOADS: Many of you are jumping over from YouTube looking to download our Adobe Illustrator Cartoon, Comic Strip, and Mascot Brushes. Digital Downloads will come to you through our friends at Teachable. Learning Target: Download and Extract Brush Libraries and save to your "User Defined" for quick access.
GETTING STARTED: Our Getting Started Guides will walk you through the process of creating templates and gathering resources for your own artwork. LEARNING TARGET: Download Photo References, Brush Libraries, and Color Swatches for your own Artwork and Designs. 
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 Tutorials or Primary Building Tools.  LEARNING TARGET: Understand the Primary Building Tools and Options in Adobe Illustrator.
ILLUSTRATOR TUTORIALS: Focus on the Sequence of Events as it relates to building a Workflow. I recommend establishing an "Initial Workflow" based on ease of use. Learning Target: Apply the Building Tools, Editing Options, and Advanced Coloring Techniques in Adobe Illustrator.
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SKETCH: For those of you looking to use a Sketch or Drawing, I will recommend a Clean Line Drawing. If you are new to Adobe Illustrator, align your Basic Design Elements (Shapes + Lines) with the Primary Building Tools. 
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PHOTO: For those of you using a Photo Reference, it's important to make sure the details are still visible after creating a template layer or adjusting the opacity. Find a Template Layer Setting where you can still see the Photo and Paths.
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TRACE: For those of you looking to use a Photo Reference, I will still recommend doing a simple Trace. A Clean Line Drawing will give you a “Traceable Path” to align with the Building Tools in Adobe Illustrator.
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New Artboards: I recommend establishing a "Building Artboard" that you can use for your own artwork. A habit that I would like you to break is treating Adobe Illustrator like Photoshop. The initial Artboard Size can be changed at any point without ruining your own artwork. Pick the size you will use most frequently to establish a routine while learning. Example: 1080px by 1080px - RGB - 300 PPI. LEARNING TARGET: Establish a "Standardized Approach" that includes Artboard Size, Resource Type, and Template Layers that will relate to your own artwork.
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Template Layer: Have your Resource Layer Selected. (It will usually be your only layer). In your Layers Panel, select the Menu in the Upper-Right Hand Corner. Drop down to Template. This will create a 50% Opacity and Lockout the Layer. Create a New Layer above to start working in Adobe Illustrator. It will give you an error message (no sign) if you try to draw on the Template Layer. LEARNING TARGET: Establish a Template Layer Setting so that you can see the Reference Image while not becoming too distracting when building in Adobe Illustrator.
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DRAWING TEMPLATE: I have created a Drawing Template of 2160px by 1080px in Adobe Photoshop. This will allow me to Export my Drawing or Sketch from Layers at 1080px by 1080px. I have created a Frame of 1080px by 1080px. File - Place in your Photo Reference. You can add Adjustment Layers to assist your drawings and sketches. DIGITAL: Create a New Document 2160px by 1080px. PAPER: For those of you using Paper Methods, download any Free Scanning App on your phone to digitize your paper sketches and drawings.
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DRAWING TEMPLATE: I have created a Drawing Template of 2160px by 1080px in Adobe Photoshop. This will allow me to Export my Drawing or Sketch from Layers at 1080px by 1080px. I have created a Frame of 1080px by 1080px. File - Place in your Photo Reference. You can add Adjustment Layers to assist your drawings and sketches. LEARNING TARGET (1): Create a New Document 2160px by 1080px. LEARNING TARGET (2): Add Adjustment Layers to your Photo Layer.
WELCOME. 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+) Tutorials, Challenges, and Guides for you to Learn Adobe Illustrator.
DOWNLOADS: Many of you are jumping over from YouTube looking to download our Adobe Illustrator Cartoon, Comic Strip, and Mascot Brushes. Digital Downloads will come to you through our friends at Teachable. Learning Target: Download and Extract Brush Libraries and save to your "User Defined" for quick access.
GETTING STARTED: Our Getting Started Guides will walk you through the process of creating templates and gathering resources for your own artwork. LEARNING TARGET: Download Photo References, Brush Libraries, and Color Swatches for your own Artwork and Designs. 
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 Tutorials or Primary Building Tools.  LEARNING TARGET: Understand the Primary Building Tools and Options in Adobe Illustrator.
ILLUSTRATOR TUTORIALS: Focus on the Sequence of Events as it relates to building a Workflow. I recommend establishing an "Initial Workflow" based on ease of use. Learning Target: Apply the Building Tools, Editing Options, and Advanced Coloring Techniques in Adobe Illustrator.
Image
SKETCH: For those of you looking to use a Sketch or Drawing, I will recommend a Clean Line Drawing. If you are new to Adobe Illustrator, align your Basic Design Elements (Shapes + Lines) with the Primary Building Tools. 
Image
PHOTO: For those of you using a Photo Reference, it's important to make sure the details are still visible after creating a template layer or adjusting the opacity. Find a Template Layer Setting where you can still see the Photo and Paths.
Image
TRACE: For those of you looking to use a Photo Reference, I will still recommend doing a simple Trace. A Clean Line Drawing will give you a “Traceable Path” to align with the Building Tools in Adobe Illustrator.
Image
New Artboards: I recommend establishing a "Building Artboard" that you can use for your own artwork. A habit that I would like you to break is treating Adobe Illustrator like Photoshop. The initial Artboard Size can be changed at any point without ruining your own artwork. Pick the size you will use most frequently to establish a routine while learning. Example: 1080px by 1080px - RGB - 300 PPI. LEARNING TARGET: Establish a "Standardized Approach" that includes Artboard Size, Resource Type, and Template Layers that will relate to your own artwork.
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Template Layer: Have your Resource Layer Selected. (It will usually be your only layer). In your Layers Panel, select the Menu in the Upper-Right Hand Corner. Drop down to Template. This will create a 50% Opacity and Lockout the Layer. Create a New Layer above to start working in Adobe Illustrator. It will give you an error message (no sign) if you try to draw on the Template Layer. LEARNING TARGET: Establish a Template Layer Setting so that you can see the Reference Image while not becoming too distracting when building in Adobe Illustrator.
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BASIC TRACE: I will recommend to new users to Adobe Illustrator a Breakdown Process so you can see the Design Elements within the subject. This will allow you to quickly assess the Building Tools that align with the Elements (Lines + Shapes). There will be some of you who will be asking: 'Why don't we just go directly from the Stock Photo?" If you chose to go directly off of a photo, there is a breaking point with the transparency of the photo layer and being able to see your new paths. At this point the Photo Details become challenging to see and your eyeballs will explode. LEARNING TARGET: Breakdown your image into Design Elements (shapes and lines) before moving to Adobe Illustrator.
WELCOME. 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+) Tutorials, Challenges, and Guides for you to Learn Adobe Illustrator.
DOWNLOADS: Many of you are jumping over from YouTube looking to download our Adobe Illustrator Cartoon, Comic Strip, and Mascot Brushes. Digital Downloads will come to you through our friends at Teachable. Learning Target: Download and Extract Brush Libraries and save to your "User Defined" for quick access.
GETTING STARTED: Our Getting Started Guides will walk you through the process of creating templates and gathering resources for your own artwork. LEARNING TARGET: Download Photo References, Brush Libraries, and Color Swatches for your own Artwork and Designs. 
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 Tutorials or Primary Building Tools.  LEARNING TARGET: Understand the Primary Building Tools and Options in Adobe Illustrator.
ILLUSTRATOR TUTORIALS: Focus on the Sequence of Events as it relates to building a Workflow. I recommend establishing an "Initial Workflow" based on ease of use. Learning Target: Apply the Building Tools, Editing Options, and Advanced Coloring Techniques in Adobe Illustrator.
Image
SKETCH: For those of you looking to use a Sketch or Drawing, I will recommend a Clean Line Drawing. If you are new to Adobe Illustrator, align your Basic Design Elements (Shapes + Lines) with the Primary Building Tools. 
Image
PHOTO: For those of you using a Photo Reference, it's important to make sure the details are still visible after creating a template layer or adjusting the opacity. Find a Template Layer Setting where you can still see the Photo and Paths.
Image
TRACE: For those of you looking to use a Photo Reference, I will still recommend doing a simple Trace. A Clean Line Drawing will give you a “Traceable Path” to align with the Building Tools in Adobe Illustrator.
Image
New Artboards: I recommend establishing a "Building Artboard" that you can use for your own artwork. A habit that I would like you to break is treating Adobe Illustrator like Photoshop. The initial Artboard Size can be changed at any point without ruining your own artwork. Pick the size you will use most frequently to establish a routine while learning. Example: 1080px by 1080px - RGB - 300 PPI. LEARNING TARGET: Establish a "Standardized Approach" that includes Artboard Size, Resource Type, and Template Layers that will relate to your own artwork.
Image
Template Layer: Have your Resource Layer Selected. (It will usually be your only layer). In your Layers Panel, select the Menu in the Upper-Right Hand Corner. Drop down to Template. This will create a 50% Opacity and Lockout the Layer. Create a New Layer above to start working in Adobe Illustrator. It will give you an error message (no sign) if you try to draw on the Template Layer. LEARNING TARGET: Establish a Template Layer Setting so that you can see the Reference Image while not becoming too distracting when building in Adobe Illustrator.
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DESIGN ELEMENTS: Look for obvious shapes first ie. Circles. This will align directly with the Ellipse Tool. You can quickly create an "Anchor Point Guide" by adding markers for Center of Circles, Corners, and the Ends of Lines. This step is a "Connect the Dots" Approach for the Ellipse, Pen, and Curvature Tools to drop down your lines. LEARNING TARGET (1): Look for obvious Shapes/Circles. LEARNING TARGET (2): Look for the Start/End/Corners of each Line Segment. LEARNING TARGET: Look for elements of your design that can "repeat" or "mirror" to save time.
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COUNTOUR LINE WITH VARIATION: I recommend starting from a Clean Contour Line Drawing for your artwork and designs. You will spend a little more time on the drawing, but you have taken away some of the guesswork in Adobe Illustrator. I would prep your drawings for Building, Brushes, and Values. You can trace your drawing using the Ellipse and Pen Tools. LEARNING TARGET (1): For your artwork, create a "Traceable Path" to align with the Building Tools in Adobe Illustrator.
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SKETCH TO VECTOR: As you become more aware of the building tools and options in Adobe Illustrator, you can save time in your workflow by using a quick sketch. PAPER: For those of you sketching on paper, this can be quick and small. I recommend having an idea of the building tools before moving to a rough or quick sketch. DIGITAL: Use any sketching or drawing program you like. The goal is to get the initial elements down quickly to assess the building tools you will use in Adobe Illustrator.
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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. TUTORIAL 1, TUTORIAL 2, TUTORIAL 3

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    PENCIL TOOL: 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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      PEN TOOL: 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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        (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. 

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              PREPPING FOR BUILD TOOLS: As I am creating my artwork, notice I am aligning the Tools to the Shapes and Lines within my Sketch or Drawing. Many of you will be using Shape, Pencil, and Pen Tools as your Primary Building Tools. LEARNING TARGET (1): Understand the Building Tools and Options in Adobe Illustrator. LEARNING TARGET (2): Align the Building Tools (Ellipse, Pen, and Curvature Tools) to the Design Elements (Shapes, Lines, and Curves) in your artwork. BEGINNER GUIDES / ILLUSTRATOR TUTORIALS / RESOURCE GUIDES
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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. TUTORIAL 1, TUTORIAL 2, TUTORIAL 3

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                PENCIL TOOL: 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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                  PEN TOOL: 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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                    (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. 

                      Image

                      (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. 

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                          COLOR SWATCHES: Use Color Swatches from your Library or save free swatches from Adobe Color as an .ASE File. Open Swatch Libraries from the “Other Library” Option. Most Color Themes will use Hues as the Base Color. We will be using Live Paint to create our Basic Fills or Flat Color Layer. LEARNING TARGET (3): Apply Color, Values, and Gradients using Advanced Coloring Techniques.
                          PREPPING FOR BRUSHES: As I am inking my artwork, notice I am aligning each path to a Brush Stroke. If I handed you a marker and said to trace your drawing, you would build in this method naturally. You hand or pen would lift up after each new stroke. Match the Brushes to the Line Variation within your drawing. Pay attention to the ends and the floating ends to align with your brushes. This step is much easier if you planned out your variation in your own contour drawing. LEARNING TARGET: Plan out your variation in your own drawings. BRUSHES GUIDE / VARIATION AND EDITING TUTORIALS 
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                          COLOR SWATCHES: Use Color Swatches from your Library or save free swatches from Adobe Color as an .ASE File. Open Swatch Libraries from the “Other Library” Option. Most Color Themes will use Hues as the Base Color. We will be using Live Paint to create our Basic Fills or Flat Color Layer. LEARNING TARGET (3): Apply Color, Values, and Gradients using Advanced Coloring Techniques.
                          PREPPING FOR VALUES: As I am coloring my artwork, notice I am adding the values that were created in the initial sketch. This can be done quite quickly within your sketch. I recommend using the Knife Tool to trace your values in your sketch (Adjust Opacity to see Sketch). If you are looking for more control over the value shapes, use the pen and curvature tools using the Divide Pathfinder Tool. LEARNING TARGET: Include a light source and value areas in your drawings or sketches. COLORING GUIDE / ADVANCED COLORING TUTORIALS
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                          PRIMARY BUILDING: Understand and Apply the different Building Tools in Adobe Illustrator.  VIEW BUILDING TUTORIALS

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                            VARIATION + EDITING: Understand and Apply Live and Expanded Editing Tools in Adobe Illustrator. VIEW EDITING TUTORIALS

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                              ADVANCED COLORING: Understand and Apply Live Paint and Advanced Coloring Techniques in Adobe Illustrator. VIEW COLOR TUTORIALS

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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. 

                                  Image

                                  (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. 

                                    Image

                                    (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. 

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                                      COLOR SWATCHES: Use Color Swatches from your Library or save free swatches from Adobe Color as an .ASE File. Open Swatch Libraries from the “Other Library” Option. Most Color Themes will use Hues as the Base Color. We will be using Live Paint to create our Basic Fills or Flat Color Layer. LEARNING TARGET (3): Apply Color, Values, and Gradients using Advanced Coloring Techniques.
                                      EXPORTING FROM LAYERS: When you are all done with your Sketches, Drawings, or Traced Stock Photos, I recommend Exporting from the Layers Panel. Select All of your Drawing Layers. Click on Export As from the Layers Panel Menu. This will Export All of your Drawing Layers.
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                                      PRIMARY BUILDING: Understand and Apply the different Building Tools in Adobe Illustrator.  VIEW BUILDING TUTORIALS

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                                        VARIATION + EDITING: Understand and Apply Live and Expanded Editing Tools in Adobe Illustrator. VIEW EDITING TUTORIALS

                                          Image

                                          ADVANCED COLORING: Understand and Apply Live Paint and Advanced Coloring Techniques in Adobe Illustrator. VIEW COLOR TUTORIALS

                                            Image

                                            (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. 

                                              Image

                                              (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. 

                                                Image

                                                (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. 

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                                                  COLOR SWATCHES: Use Color Swatches from your Library or save free swatches from Adobe Color as an .ASE File. Open Swatch Libraries from the “Other Library” Option. Most Color Themes will use Hues as the Base Color. We will be using Live Paint to create our Basic Fills or Flat Color Layer. LEARNING TARGET (3): Apply Color, Values, and Gradients using Advanced Coloring Techniques.
                                                  EXPORT VS. DRAG: If you are creating multiple drawings or sketches, it is recommended to save and export them from Adobe Photoshop. If you plan to move directly to Adobe Illustrator after sketching, I recommend dragging your finished sketch to a working artboard. Remember to save your Sketch Document.
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                                                  PRIMARY BUILDING: Understand and Apply the different Building Tools in Adobe Illustrator.  VIEW BUILDING TUTORIALS

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                                                    VARIATION + EDITING: Understand and Apply Live and Expanded Editing Tools in Adobe Illustrator. VIEW EDITING TUTORIALS

                                                      Image

                                                      ADVANCED COLORING: Understand and Apply Live Paint and Advanced Coloring Techniques in Adobe Illustrator. VIEW COLOR TUTORIALS

                                                        Image

                                                        (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. 

                                                          Image

                                                          (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. 

                                                            Image

                                                            (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. 

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                                                              COLOR SWATCHES: Use Color Swatches from your Library or save free swatches from Adobe Color as an .ASE File. Open Swatch Libraries from the “Other Library” Option. Most Color Themes will use Hues as the Base Color. We will be using Live Paint to create our Basic Fills or Flat Color Layer. LEARNING TARGET (3): Apply Color, Values, and Gradients using Advanced Coloring Techniques.
                                                              TEMPLATE LAYER: File-Place in your Resource Image (Traced Stock Photo, Drawing, or Sketch). Scale to Fit Artboard Size. In your Layers Panel, select the Menu in the Upper-Right Hand Corner. Drop down to Template. This will create a 50% Opacity and Lockout the Layer. Create a New Layer above to start working in Adobe Illustrator. LEARNING TARGET (1): Create a Template Layer. Add a new Layer above for "Building." GETTING STARTED GUIDE / ILLUSTRATOR TUTORIALS
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                                                              PRIMARY BUILDING: Understand and Apply the different Building Tools in Adobe Illustrator.  VIEW BUILDING TUTORIALS

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                                                                VARIATION + EDITING: Understand and Apply Live and Expanded Editing Tools in Adobe Illustrator. VIEW EDITING TUTORIALS

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                                                                  ADVANCED COLORING: Understand and Apply Live Paint and Advanced Coloring Techniques in Adobe Illustrator. VIEW COLOR TUTORIALS

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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 TUTORIALS

                                                                          ILLUSTRATOR TUTORIALS: Tutorials and Playlists will focus on Building Tools, Applying Brushes, Editing Options, and Advanced Coloring Techniques in Adobe Illustrator. Learning Target (1): Understand the Primary Building Tools and Options in Adobe Illustrator. Learning Target (2): Apply the Building, Editing, and Coloring Tools using your own artwork.
                                                                          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
                                                                          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