GETTING STARTED

ADOBE ILLUSTRATOR

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

FOCUS: Many of our tutorials follow a beginner process for creating artwork in Adobe Illustrator. I have already organized tutorials based on Workflow Units: Building, Editing, and Coloring. LEARNING TARGET (1): Apply the Building Tools to your own Drawing or Sketch. 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.
RESOURCES: In our Beginner Tutorials, I will be applying a "Path" to my Drawing or Sketch. If you are new to Adobe Illustrator, I recommend starting from a Clean Line Drawing. Learning Target: Start from the Resource you will use for your Artwork (Drawing, Sketch, or Traced Photo).
WORKFLOWS: I have already organized tutorials based on the Sequence of Events as it relates to a Workflow. Establish a "Workflow" based on Building, Editing, and Coloring Methods. Learning Target: Apply the Building, Editing, and Coloring Tools in Adobe Illustrator.
TUTORIALS: 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: Apply the Primary Building Tools in Adobe Illustrator.
TUTORIALS: If you are new to Adobe Illustrator, start with Beginner Guides or Primary Building Tools. In our Beginner Tutorials, I will be going through an easy process for creating artwork in Adobe Illustrator.  Learning Target: Understand the Primary Building Tools and Options in Adobe Illustrator.
WORKFLOWS: If you're new, pay attention to the sequence of events and tool options before applying them on your own artwork. I recommend establishing an "Initial Workflow" based on ease of use. Learning Target: Apply the Building, Editing, and Coloring Tools in Adobe Illustrator.
Image
RESOURCE IMAGE: If you are new to Adobe Illustrator, I highly recommend starting from a Clean Line Drawing, Sketch, or Traced Photo. In the Tutorials, I will be applying "Paths" to my line drawings or sketches. I recommend creating a "Traceable Path" to align with the Building Tools in Adobe Illustrator. LEARNING TARGET (1): Start from the Resource you will use for your Artwork (Drawing, Sketch, or Traced Photo). LEARNING TARGET (2): Prep your Resource Image for the Primary Build Tools (Ellipse, Pencil, or Pen Tools).
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.
RESOURCES: In our Beginner Tutorials, I will be applying a "Path" to my Drawing or Sketch. If you are new, I recommend starting from a Clean Line Drawing. Learning Target: Start from the Resource (Drawing, Sketch, or Traced Photo) that you will be using for your own Artwork.
WORKFLOWS: I have already organized tutorials based on the Sequence of Events as it relates to a Workflow. Establish a "Workflow" based on Building, Editing, and Coloring Methods. Learning Target: Apply the Building, Editing, and Coloring Tools in Adobe Illustrator.
TUTORIALS: 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: Apply the Primary Building Tools 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.

RESOURCES

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.
RESOURCES: In our Beginner Tutorials, I will be applying a "Path" to my Drawing or Sketch. If you are new, I recommend starting from a Clean Line Drawing. Learning Target: Start from the Resource (Drawing, Sketch, or Traced Photo) that you will be using for your own Artwork.
WORKFLOWS: I have already organized tutorials based on the Sequence of Events as it relates to a Workflow. Establish a "Workflow" based on Building, Editing, and Coloring Methods. Learning Target: Apply the Building, Editing, and Coloring Tools in Adobe Illustrator.
TUTORIALS: 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: Apply the Primary Building Tools 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.
Image
Image
"BUILDING" ARTBOARD: I will recommend a (1080px by 1080px, 300PPI, RGB) as your Initial Artboard Size. The Initial Artboard Size can be changed at any point without ruining your own artwork. Use the Properties Panel to Scale Artwork and Artboards. LEARNING TARGET (1): Create a "Building Template" that includes Artboard Size, Resource Type, and Template Layers. LEARNING TARGET (2): Pick a "Building" Artboard Size you can use for your own Artwork and Social Media Postings.
Image
TEMPLATE LAYER: File-Place in your Traced Photo, Drawing, or Sketch. Scale to Fit Artboard Size (1080px by 1080px). 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: Create a Template Layer using your Resource Image. Create a New Layer above for "Building." 
Creating a Template Layer: The idea behind the Template Layer is to see your Reference Image while not becoming too distracting when building in Adobe Illustrator. There are a few ways to modify the Transparency of the Resources and Lock Out the Layer. Do this step after you have placed, scaled, and centered the tutorial resource image.
Creating a Basic 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)
Using Transparency Panel or Properties Panel: The Transparency Panel can be found in multiple locations. Have your Resource Image selected, and use the Opacity Slider to manually adjust the Opacity or Transparency. My personal settings are between 10-25%. Lockout the Layer and Create a New Layer above to start working in Adobe Illustrator.
Image
Image
PRIMARY BUILDING: Many of you will be deciding between Shapes, Pencil, and Pen Tools as your Primary Building Tool. I am going to recommend breaking down your workflow into multiple steps. LEARNING TARGET (1): Apply the Building Tools to your own Drawing , Sketch, or Traced Photo. LEARNING TARGET (2): Apply Line Variation along with Live and Expanded Editing Tools.
Image
Image
COLOR SWATCHES: Use Color Swatches from your Library or save them from Adobe Color as an .ASE File. Open Swatch Library 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.

WORKFLOW UNITS

Image

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

    Image

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

      Image

      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. 

              NEW? START HERE

              BEGINNER TUTORIALS: If you are new to Adobe Illustrator, start with Beginner Guides or Primary Building Tools. Learning Target (1): Understand the Primary Building Tools and Options in Adobe Illustrator. Learning Target (2): Apply the Building, Editing, and Coloring Tools to your own artwork in Adobe Illustrator.
              beginner adobe illustrator tutorial pug
              beginner adobe illustrator tutorial whale
              beginner adobe illustrator tutorial coyote
              beginner adobe illustrator tutorial ice cream
              beginner adobe illustrator tutorial duck
              beginner adobe illustrator tutorial ice cream
              beginner adobe illustrator tutorial posicle
              beginner adobe illustrator tutorial ice cream
              beginner adobe illustrator tutorial ice cream
              beginner adobe illustrator tutorial ice cream
              beginner adobe illustrator tutorial snail
              beginner adobe illustrator tutorial monkey
              ILLUSTRATOR

              TUTORIALS + GUIDES

              VIEW FULL LIST
              25% OFF (SAVE $36)
              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