GETTING STARTED
ADOBE ILLUSTRATOR
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.
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).
"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.
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."
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.
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
BUILDING: Understand and Apply the different Building Tools in Adobe Illustrator. VIEW BUILDING TUTORIALS
EDITING: Understand and Apply Live and Expanded Editing Tools in Adobe Illustrator. VIEW EDITING TUTORIALS
COLORING: Understand and Apply Live Paint and Advanced Coloring Techniques in Adobe Illustrator. VIEW COLOR TUTORIALS
