FOLLOW ALONG

GETTING STARTED GUIDE

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

beginner adobe illustrator tutorial whale
DOWNLOAD RESOURCES. Many of you are jumping over from YouTube looking to download our Adobe Illustrator Resource Folders. Download (Updated) Brushes or add on Halftones + Textures to save on our Resource Bundle. Download Brush Libraries, Comic Halftones, and BMP Textures to follow along or use with Your Own Artwork.
beginner adobe illustrator tutorial pug
RESOURCE GUIDES. The first step is to download the Resource Folders. Digital Downloads will come as a Zipped Folder on Teachable. Once you have Extracted the Folders, they are ready to be used in Adobe Illustrator. Follow along with our Resource Guides and Tutorials to learn how to Apply and Edit Brushes + Halftones + Textures.
beginner adobe illustrator tutorial coyote
FOLLOW ALONG. Tutorials are designed to build up time applying the Tools and Settings in Adobe Illustrator. Follow along with our 100 Tutorials Playlist on YouTube or our 50 Step by Steps on the Website. Tutorials and Playlists will focus on Building Tools, Applying Brushes, Editing Options, and Basic Coloring Techniques in Adobe Illustrator.
beginner adobe illustrator tutorial whale
STEP #1:  DOWNLOAD BRUSHES. Many of you are jumping over from YouTube looking to download our Adobe Illustrator Brush Libraries. You can download our 200 Adobe Illustrator Brushes to follow along or use with your own artwork. Updated Brush Libraries include our 70 Cartoon, 100 Comic Strip, and 50 Vintage Mascot Brushes.  
beginner adobe illustrator tutorial pug
STEP #2: RESOURCE GUIDES. The first step is to download the Brushes Folder. They will come to you as a Zipped Folder on Teachable. Once you have Downloaded and Extracted the Folders, the Brush Libraries are Ready to Use in Adobe Illustrator. Follow along with our Brushes Resource Guide to Save Brush Libraries for fast access in your "User Defined."
beginner adobe illustrator tutorial coyote
STEP #3: FOLLOW ALONG. Tutorials and Playlists are designed to build up time within the program to apply the Tools and Settings. Follow along with our 100 Tutorials Playlist on YouTube and 50 Step by Steps on the Website. Tutorials will focus on Building Tools, Applying Brushes, Editing Options, and Basic Coloring Techniques. 

TUTORIALS + PLAYLISTS

Our Getting Started Guide will be for those of you following along with our 50 Step by Steps or the 100 Tutorials Playlist on YouTube. Each Tutorial will start by creating a New Artboard and Template Layer. 
Image
Create a "Building" Artboard: File-New. Use a size or ratio that you can use for all of your own artwork. I recommend a 1080px by 1080px artboard for websites and social postings. Many of you will be looking to export your own artwork to Instagram. You can modify the size of the artwork or artboard with the Artboard Tool or Properties Panel. 
Image
Creating a Basic Template Layer: File -Place in your own Drawing, Sketch, Photo, or Trace. Select your Resource Layer. (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 "Building".
New Artboards: As you follow along, 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.

BEGINNER PREFERENCES

how to open brushes
Beginner Preferences: All of our initial preferences are designed to gain more control over what you are clicking on. The more you can zoom in and see your anchors and handles the better. You can adjust the size of your Anchors and Handles under Selection and Anchor Display. Under your General Settings, make sure that Disable Auto Add/Delete is Selected.
how to save brushes
Selection Tools: The Direct Selection Tool can grab and adjust the Anchors, Handles, and Paths. It is worth having your Smart Guides Path Labels Turned On so you know what the tool is selecting before dragging. The Selection Tool will move and select objects. If you like using the Transform Tools, Turn On your Bounding Box under View.
Creating a Template Layer: The idea behind the Template Layer is to see the 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.

RESOURCE PROGRESSIONS

I have provided the resources to follow along with our 100 Tutorials Playlist on YouTube and the 50 Step by Steps on the Website. As you are following along, progress towards using the "Resource Type" you intend on using for your own artwork. The easiest starting point for beginners in Adobe Illustrator is a clean line drawing or trace. LEARNING TARGET: Start from your own Drawing,  Sketch, Trace, or Photo in Adobe Illustrator. 
Image
Anchor Point Guides: If you are using our Tutorial Resources, simply File-Place the resource image into your artboard. These are designed for your 1st Week in Adobe Illustrator. I would like you to use as few Anchor Point Guides as possible before transitioning to your own drawing, sketch, trace, or photo. 
Image
Drawing or Sketch: I am going to want you to move as quickly as possible to using your own drawing, sketch, or simple trace. While we are doing things together, the goal is to practice what you intend on using for your artwork. What I would like you to practice is how "sketchy" or "final" of a drawing you like while building in Adobe Illustrator.
Image
Photo Reference or Trace: I do have a few of you that will be using your own Photo Reference. The main thing with this approach is can you still see the details after you create a Template Layer or adjust the Opacity. I do recommend creating a traceable path for you to follow with the Pen or Pencil Tools.

DOWNLOAD RESOURCES

Illustrator Resources will come to you as a Zipped Folder on Teachable. Once you have Downloaded and Extracted the Folders, go back to the Tutorial, Challenge, or Resource Guide to follow along. DOWNLOAD RESOURCES: You can download Brush Libraries, Comic Halftones, and BMP Textures to follow along or use with Your Own Artwork in Adobe Illustrator.

cartoon brush set

ADOBE ILLUSTRATOR BRUSHES. Our (Updated) 200 Adobe Illustrator Brushes are specifically designed for Illustrators and Cartoonists to speed up their workflow. I have recently added more brushes and updated the Brush Libraries to allow for Pressure Sensitivity. Follow Along with the Tutorials or Use them with Your Own Artwork. Brush Libraries include our 70 Cartoon, 100 Comic Strip, and 50 Vintage Mascot Brushes.

comic strip brush set
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. Simply Paint in Halftones into your own Illustrations and Comics. Halftones include our Comic Strip Halftone Fills, Pattern Fills, and Halftone Value Scales.
mascot brush set

ADOBE ILLUSTRATOR BMP 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 for soft overlays. Use BMP Textures along with Opacity Masks for T-Shirt Distressing. BMP Textures include our 145 Cracks, 120 Grunge Distressing, 75 Paper, and 77 Paint Splatter Textures.

Image
Free Bonus: I have included the  Anchor Point and Tablet Friendly Guides (as a Free Bonus) to Follow Along with the 50 Step by Steps on the Website or the 100 Beginner Tutorials Playlist on YouTube to Learn the Basics of Building, Applying Brushes, Editing, and Coloring in Adobe Illustrator. Follow Along with the Tutorials or use the Brushes with Your Own Artwork.
beginner adobe illustrator tutorial whale
70 CARTOON BRUSHES:  (libraries include Updated Cartoon, Cartoon 2, and Original Cartoon Brush Libraries). 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.
beginner adobe illustrator tutorial pug
100 COMIC STRIP BRUSHES: (libraries include Updated Comic Strip, Hand-Painted, Paintbrush, and Fine Liner Brush Libraries). 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.
beginner adobe illustrator tutorial coyote
50 MASCOT BRUSHES: (libraries include updated Caffeinated Cartoonist, Rough Ink, and Jittery Hand Brush Libraries). 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. 
Image
200 ADOBE ILLUSTRATOR BRUSHES. Our (Updated) 200 Adobe Illustrator Brushes are specifically designed for Illustrators and Cartoonists to speed up their workflow. I have recently added more brushes and updated the Brush Libraries to allow for Pressure Sensitivity. Follow Along with the Tutorials or Use them with Your Own Artwork. Brush Libraries include our 70 Cartoon, 100 Comic Strip, and 50 Vintage Mascot Brushes.
Image
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. Simply Paint in Halftones into your own Illustrations and Comics. Halftones include our 70 Comic Strip Halftone Fills, Pattern Fills, and Halftone Value Scales.
Image
400 ADOBE ILLUSTRATOR BMP 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 for soft overlays. Use BMP Textures along with Opacity Masks for T-Shirt Distressing. BMP Textures include our 145 Cracks, 120 Grunge Distressing, 75 Paper, and 77 Paint Splatter Textures.
ADOBE ILLUSTRATOR

BRUSH LIBRARIES

DOWNLOAD 200 BRUSHES
20% OFF (SAVE $12)
beginner adobe illustrator tutorial pug
SAVE LIBRARIES. Once you have downloaded and extracted the Folder, the 200 Adobe Illustrator Brushes are ready to be used. I recommend Saving "Updated" Brush Libraries to your "User Defined" by clicking Save Brush Library in the Brushes Menu. Follow along with our Resource Guides to save, apply, and edit Brushes in Adobe Illustrator.
beginner adobe illustrator tutorial whale
OPEN LIBRARIES. Our 200 Adobe Illustrator Brushes have been organized into Brush Libraries for easy application and to maintain consistency with your Line Variation. In the Brushes Panel Menu, select “Open Brush Library.” You can Open Brush Libraries through the “User Defined” or “Other Library” Options in the Brushes Panel.

FOLLOW ALONG

Tutorials and Playlists will focus on Building Tools, Applying Brushes, Editing Options, and Basic Coloring Techniques in Adobe Illustrator. LEARNING TARGET: Focus on applying the Tools and Settings in the correct Sequence or Order of Events.
beginner adobe illustrator tutorial whale
adobe illustrator pug pen tool
adobe illustrator monkey shapes
adobe illustrator pen tool pig
adobe illustrator popsicle shapes
adobe illustrator duck pen tool
adobe illustrator dog pen tool
adobe illustrator cat pen tool
adobe illustrator snail pen tool
adobe illustrator santa pen tool
adobe illustrator ice cream pen tool
adobe illustrator bunny pen tool
adobe illustrator coyote pen tool
adobe illustrator cat pen tool
adobe illustrator taco shapes
adobe illustrator kid pen tool
adobe illustrator tutorial monkey pen tool
adobe illustrator chef pen tool
adobe illustrator tutorial shapes cat
adobe illustrator dog pen tool
beginner adobe illustrator tutorial wrestler
adobe illustrator pen tool elf
beginner adobe illustrator tutorial cow
beginner adobe illustrator tutorial cow
beginner adobe illustrator tutorial dead monkey
beginner adobe illustrator tutorial cupcake
beginner adobe illustrator tutorial pig
beginner adobe illustrator tutorial hippo
beginner adobe illustrator tutorial teddy bear
beginner adobe illustrator tutorial hat guy
https://jasonsecrest.com/easy-beginner-illustrator-cartoon-tutorial/
beginner adobe illustrator tutorial elephant
beginner adobe illustrator tutorial halloween
adobe illustrator teddy bear pen tool
adobe illustrator ninja shapes
adobe illustrator bunny pen tool
adobe illustrator bear pen tool
adobe illustrator puppy pen tool
adobe illustrator girl pen tool
adobe illustrator ghost pen tool
adobe illustrator monkey pen tool
adobe illustrator frankenstein pen tool
adobe illustrator pen tool beaver
adobe illustrator pen tool fish
adobe illustrator slime pen tool
adobe illustrator gator pen tool
adobe illustrator masked pen tool
adobe illustrator astronaut pen tool
adobe illustrator mummy pen tool
adobe illustrator frog pen tool
adobe illustrator zombie pen tool
adobe illustrator zombie pen tool
adobe illustrator pen tool shark
adobe illustrator zombie pen tool
ADOBE ILLUSTRATOR

STEP BY STEPS

GO TO TUTORIALS
Top notch video as usual man. Cheers!Made by Mighty
I really love your channel, thanx for your tutorial really helpful 🙂 Sara Abdalla • 1 year ago
First time dive into Illustrator. This was great, learned a ton! ThanksPhilippe Lachenal
Such a cool drawing ! My favorite in this series !!!! Espermaschine • 1 year ago
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
Great job Jason, you make it look so easy. And it actually was. Thumbs up!Little Richard • 5 months ago
That was a fun tutorial. I really enjoyed it. Thanks for such a detailed, easy to follow tutorial! Daniel Huckabay • 1 year ago
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 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
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
Top notch video as usual man. Cheers!Made by Mighty
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
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 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
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