GETTING STARTED

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+) Beginner Tutorials, Challenges, and Playlists for you to Learn Adobe Illustrator.

GETTING STARTED. If you are new to our Website or YouTube Channel, I recommend starting with our Getting Started Guide. Many of our tutorials will follow an easy process for creating artwork in Adobe Illustrator. Start with our Beginner Guides or Adobe Illustrator Tutorials.

beginner adobe illustrator tutorial coyote

DIGITAL DOWNLOADS. Many of you are jumping over from YouTube looking to download our Adobe Illustrator Brushes, Halftones, and Textures. Digital Downloads will come through our friends at Teachable. You can download Individual Folders or save on our Resource Bundles.

ILLUSTRATOR TUTORIALS. Tutorials are designed to build up time within the program by applying the Tools and Settings. Tutorials will focus on using Building Tools, Applying Brushes, Editing Options, and Advanced Coloring Techniques in Adobe Illustrator.

DOWNLOAD BRUSHES. Many of you are jumping over from YouTube looking to download our Adobe Illustrator Brushes. Once you have downloaded and extracted the Folders, follow along with our Resource Guide and Tutorials to edit and apply Brush Libraries.

RESOURCE GUIDES. Digital Downloads will come as a Zipped Folder. Once you have Downloaded and Extracted the Resource Folders, they are ready to be used in Adobe Illustrator. Follow along with our Resource Guides and Tutorials to learn how to Apply Brushes + Halftones + Textures.

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 Guides or Illustrator Tutorials. Understand how to apply the Primary Building Tools and Options in Adobe Illustrator.

DOWNLOAD BRUSHES: Many of you are jumping over from YouTube looking to download our (Updated) Adobe Illustrator Brushes. Digital Downloads will come to you through our friends at Teachable. Brush Libraries include our 70 Cartoon, 100 Comic Strip, and 50 Vintage Mascot Brushes.

DOWNLOAD RESOURCES: In our Beginner Guides, Tutorials, and YouTube Playlists, I use Stock Photos, Drawing Templates, Resource Guides, Color Swatches, and Fonts to create my artwork. LEARNING TARGET: Download Stock Photos, Templates, Color Swatches, and Font Families to use with your artwork.

ILLUSTRATOR TUTORIALS: I have organized tutorials by core areas of your Workflow: Building, Editing, and Coloring. Pay attention to the Sequence of Events and Tool Options related to building a "Routine" or "Workflow." Understand how to apply Building, Variation, Editing, and Advanced Color Techniques.

RESOURCE GUIDES: Digital Downloads will come through our friends at Teachable. Once you have downloaded and extracted the Resource Folders, they are ready to be used in Adobe Illustrator. LEARNING TARGET: Understand how to apply Brush Libraries, Comic Halftones, and BMP Textures.

RESOURCE GUIDES: As I create my artwork, pay attention to the resources being used throughout the Workflows, Tutorials, and YouTube Playlists. Understand how to Download, Save, or Install Brush Libraries, Comic Halftones, and T-shirt Textures for Adobe Illustrator.

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 Guides or Illustrator Tutorials. Understand how to apply the Primary Building Tools and Options in Adobe Illustrator.

ILLUSTRATOR TUTORIALS: I have organized tutorials by core areas of your Workflow: Building, Editing, and Coloring. Pay attention to the Sequence of Events and Tool Options related to building a "Routine" or "Workflow." Understand how to apply Building, Variation, Editing, and Advanced Color Techniques.

RESOURCE GUIDES: As I create my artwork, pay attention to the resources being used throughout the Workflows, Tutorials, and YouTube Playlists. Understand how to Download, Save, or Install Templates, Reference Images, Color Swatches, and Font Families for Adobe Illustrator.

GETTING STARTED: Many of our tutorials will follow an easy process for creating artwork in Adobe Illustrator. I have organized tutorials by core areas of your Workflow: Building, Editing, and Coloring. LEARNING TARGET: Understand the Primary Building Tools and Options.

ILLUSTRATOR TUTORIALS: Our Beginner Tutorials will follow an easy process for creating artwork in Adobe Illustrator. If you are new, it is important to understand the Tools Options and Settings. LEARNING TARGET: Understand the Primary Building Tools and Options.

DIGITAL DOWNLOADS: Many of you are jumping over from YouTube looking to download our Adobe Illustrator Brushes and Resource Folders. Digital Downloads will come through our friends at Teachable. LEARNING TARGET: Download our Brush Libraries, T-Shirt Textures, or Resource Bundles.

RESOURCE GUIDES: In our Beginner Tutorials and YouTube Playlists, I will be using Resource Images, Brush Libraries, and Color Swatches to create my Artwork. LEARNING TARGET: Download Photo References, Brush Libraries, and Color Swatches.

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 Guides or Primary Building Tools. LEARNING TARGET: Understand the Primary Building Tools and Options in Adobe Illustrator.

BEGINNER GUIDES: Our Beginner Tutorials will follow an easy process for creating artwork in Adobe Illustrator. If you are new, it is important to understand the Tools Options and Settings. LEARNING TARGET: Understand the Primary Building Tools and Options.

DOWNLOAD RESOURCES: Our Getting Started Guide will walk you through the process of downloading, saving, and gathering resources for your artwork and designs. LEARNING TARGET: Download and Save Photo References, Color Swatches, and Font Families.

ILLUSTRATOR TUTORIALS: As I am creating my artwork, pay attention to the Sequence of Events and Tool Options as it relates to building a "Routine" or "Workflow." LEARNING TARGET: Apply Variation, Editing, and Advanced Color Techniques to your own Artwork.

DIGITAL DOWNLOADS: Many of you are jumping over from YouTube looking to download our Adobe Illustrator Brushes and Resource Folders. Digital Downloads will come through our friends at Teachable. Download our Brush Libraries, T-Shirt Textures, or Resource Bundle.

RESOURCE GUIDES: Digital Downloads will come as Zipped Folders. Once you have Downloaded and Extracted the Resource Folders, they are ready to be used in Adobe Illustrator. Follow along with our Resource Guides to learn how to Apply Brushes + Halftones + Textures.

BEGINNER WORKFLOWS

I have organized Beginner Guides by Primary Building Tools and Workflows. LEARNING TARGET (1): Understand the Building Tools and Options. LEARNING TARGET (2): As I am creating my artwork, pay attention to the Sequence of Events and Tool Options related to building a "Routine" or "Workflow."

BUILDING TOOLS: I will use Shapes, Pencil, and Pen Tools in Adobe Illustrator as my Primary Building Tools. Notice I have simplified my drawings and sketches to make this step feel like tracing. Understand the Building Tools in Adobe Illustrator.

EDITING + VARIATION: I will apply Brush Libraries for my Line Variation. Notice I am using Expanded Editing Tools to clean up my Paths before moving on to the Coloring Step. Understand and Apply Live and Expanded Editing Tools in Adobe Illustrator.

BASIC COLORING: I will use Live Paint to create my Basic Fills or Flat Color Layer. Notice the steps to select and create a Live Paint Group. Understand Basic to Advanced Coloring Techniques in Adobe Illustrator.

PEN TOOL WORKFLOW: 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.

ELLIPSE TOOL WORKFLOW: 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.

PENCIL TOOL WORKFLOW: 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.

DOWNLOAD BRUSHES

Many of you are jumping over from YouTube looking to download our Adobe Illustrator Brush Libraries. Brushes will come to you as Zipped Folders. Once you have downloaded and extracted the folders, Brush Libraries are ready to be used in Adobe Illustrator. LEARNING TARGET: Download Cartoon, Comic Strip, and Vintage Mascot Brush Libraries.

DOWNLOAD BRUSHES: Adobe Illustrator Brushes will come to you as Zipped Folders on Teachable. Once you have downloaded and extracted the folders, Brushes are ready to be used in Adobe Illustrator. Download our Cartoon, Comic Strip, and Vintage Mascot Brush Libraries.

SAVE LIBRARIES: Once you have downloaded and extracted the Brush Folders, I recommend Saving Brush Libraries to your "User Defined" by clicking Save Brush Library in the Brushes Menu. Start with our Resource Guides to save, apply, and edit Brushes in Adobe Illustrator.

OPEN BRUSHES: Adobe Illustrator Brushes have been organized into Brush Libraries for easy application and to maintain consistency with your Line Variation. Open Brush Libraries through the “User Defined” or “Other Library” Options in the Brushes Panel in Adobe Illustrator.

DOWNLOAD BRUSHES: Adobe Illustrator Brushes will come to you as Zipped Folders. Once you have downloaded and extracted the folders, Brushes are ready to be used in Adobe Illustrator. Download our Cartoon, Comic Strip, and Vintage Mascot Brush Libraries.

CARTOON BRUSHES: Cartoon Brushes are my go-to 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. Download Cartoon, Cartoon 2, and Original Cartoon Brush Libraries.

COMIC STRIP BRUSHES: 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. Download Comic Strip, Hand-Painted, Paintbrush, and Fine Liner Brush Libraries.

MASCOT BRUSHES: 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 a distressed or ink bleed style back in your own Vector Artwork. Download Caffeinated Cartoonist, Rough Ink, and Jittery Hand Brush Libraries.

ILLUSTRATOR 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): Understand Line Variation along with Live and Expanded Editing Tools. LEARNING TARGET (3): Understand Color, Values, and Gradients using Advanced Coloring Techniques.

BUILDING: I will use Shapes, Pencil, and Pen Tools in Adobe Illustrator as my Primary Building Tools. Notice I have simplified my drawings and sketches to make this step feel like tracing. Understand the Building Tools in Adobe Illustrator.

EDITING: I will apply Brush Libraries for my Line Variation. Notice I am using Expanded Editing Tools to clean up my Paths before moving on to the Coloring Step. Understand and Apply Live and Expanded Editing Tools in Adobe Illustrator.

COLORING: I will use Live Paint to create my Basic Fills or Flat Color Layer. Notice the steps to select and create a Live Paint Group. Understand Basic to Advanced Coloring Techniques in Adobe Illustrator.

(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.

(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.

(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.

DIGITAL DOWNLOADS

Many of you are jumping over from YouTube looking to download our Adobe Illustrator Brushes and Resource Folders. Download and Extract the Resource Folders before using in Adobe Illustrator. LEARNING TARGET: Download our Adobe Illustrator Brushes Libraries, Comic Halftones, and T-Shirt Textures.

CARTOON BRUSHES: 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. DOWNLOAD BRUSHES

COMIC STRIP BRUSHES: 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. DOWNLOAD BRUSHES

MASCOT BRUSHES: 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. DOWNLOAD BRUSHES

BRUSH LIBRARIES. Brush Libraries are specifically designed for Illustrators and Cartoonists to speed up their workflow. Once you have downloaded and extracted the folders, Brush Libraries are ready to be used in Adobe Illustrator. Download Cartoon, Comic Strip, Vintage Mascot Brush Libraries.

DIGITAL DOWNLOADS. Digital Downloads will come through our friends at Teachable. Once you download a file, you will have it forever. Download and extract the folders before using in Adobe Illustrator. Download Individual Brush, Halftone, and Texture Folders.

RESOURCE BUNDLES. Many of you are jumping over from YouTube looking to download our Adobe Illustrator Resource Folders. Once you have downloaded and extracted the folders, Resource Folders are ready to be used in Adobe Illustrator. Download Brushes, Textures, and Resource Bundles.

ADOBE ILLUSTRATOR BRUSHES. Brushes are specifically designed for Illustrators and Cartoonists to speed up their workflow. Brushes Libraries allow for Pressure Sensitivity if you are using a Tablet for Inking your Line Variation. Apply with Pen, Pencil, Shapes, or Paintbrush Tools. Brush Libraries: 70 Cartoon, 100 Comic Strip, and 50 Vintage Mascot Brushes.

ADOBE ILLUSTRATOR HALFTONES. 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. Halftones: 70 Comic Strip Halftone Fills and Pattern Fills.

ADOBE ILLUSTRATOR TEXTURES. 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. Use with Opacity Masks for T-Shirt Distressing. BMP Textures: 145 Cracks, 120 Grunge Distressing, 75 Paper, and 77 Paint Splatter Textures.

BRUSH LIBRARIES: Brushes are specifically designed for Illustrators and Cartoonists to speed up their workflow. Brushes Libraries allow for Pressure Sensitivity if you are using a Tablet for Inking your Line Variation. Apply with Pen, Pencil, Shapes, or Paintbrush Tools. Download Cartoon, Comic Strip, and Vintage Mascot Brush Libraries.

COMIC HALFTONES: 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. Download Halftone Fills and Pattern Fills.

T-SHIRT TEXTURES: 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. Use with Opacity Masks for T-Shirt Distressing. Download Cracks, Grunge Distressing, Paper, and Paint Splatter BMP Textures.

ADOBE ILLUSTRATOR BRUSHES. Brushes are specifically designed for Illustrators and Cartoonists to speed up their workflow. Brushes Libraries allow for Pressure Sensitivity if you are using a Tablet for Inking your Line Variation. Apply with Pen, Pencil, Shapes, or Paintbrush Tools. Download Cartoon, Comic Strip, and Vintage Mascot Brush Libraries.

ADOBE ILLUSTRATOR HALFTONES. 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. Download Comic Strip Halftone Fills and Pattern Fills.

ADOBE ILLUSTRATOR TEXTURES. 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. Use with Opacity Masks for T-Shirt Distressing. Download Cracks, Grunge Distressing, Paper, and Paint Splatter T-shirt Textures.

RESOURCE GUIDES

As I create my artwork, pay attention to the resources being used throughout the Workflows, Tutorials, and YouTube Playlists. LEARNING TARGET: Understand how to apply Brush Libraries, Comic Halftones, and BMP Textures for Adobe Illustrator.

BRUSHES GUIDE: Refer to our Brushes Resource Guide for saving brush libraries, applying brushes, and using the Shape Builder tool in Adobe Illustrator.

HALFTONES GUIDE: Refer to our Halftones Resource Guide for assistance with importing halftones, applying halftones, resizing pattern fills, and coloring halftones in Adobe Illustrator.

TEXTURES GUIDE: Refer to our Textures Resource Guide for assistance in placing textures, coloring BMP textures, using clipping masks, and applying textures with opacity masks in Adobe Illustrator.

FREE RESOURCES

Written, step-by-step Adobe Illustrator workflows for total beginners. Start with Free Resources + Getting Started Guides. If you draw, jump to Tablet → Drawing. If you build clean type, go Pen Tool → Text. Every guide is a written, step-by-step reference to use with your own artwork and designs. Workflow Guides are a part of The Creative System on Teachable. THE CREATIVE SYSTEM / LEARN + LAUNCH

FREE STOCK PHOTOS: I recommend using (Unsplash / Pixabay / Pexels) for your Sketch, Drawing, and Color References. Bookmark websites for Photo References to use...

FREE COLOR SWATCHES: I highly recommend using (Adobe Color) for your Color Themes. Bookmark websites for Color Themes to use...

FREE FONT FAMILIES: I recommend using (Adobe Fonts / Google Fonts / Font Squirrel / Dafont) for Fonts. Bookmark websites for Fonts to use...

DRAWING GUIDE

Complete one exercise from the Drawing Guide this week. Focus on the fundamentals section if you're a beginner, or the advanced techniques section if you already have a drawing practice. Every guide is a written, step-by-step reference to use with your own artwork and designs. Workflow Guides are a part of The Creative System on Teachable. THE CREATIVE SYSTEM / LEARN + LAUNCH

PAPER DRAWING: If you are a Beginner to Adobe Illustrator, I will recommend creating clean Contour Line Drawing. This can be accomplished by...

AI PROMPTS / IMAGE TRACE: As you become more aware of the Tools and Options in Adobe Illustrator, you can save time in your workflow by...

DRAWING GUIDE: The next phase will be to prepare your drawings for the Initial Building Phase in Adobe Illustrator. Many of you will be using...

GETTING STARTED GUIDE

Read through the Getting Started Guide before opening any other tool. Bookmark the recommended learning path and follow it in order. Every guide is a written, step-by-step reference to use with your own artwork and designs. Workflow Guides are a part of The Creative System on Teachable. THE CREATIVE SYSTEM / LEARN + LAUNCH

ARTBOARD SETUP: Have your Drawing, Sketch, or Traced Photo Selected. In your Layers Panel, select the Menu in the Upper-Right Hand Corner. Drop down to...

PREFERENCES + SETTINGS: The easiest method that I will recommend for New or Advanced Users is to create a Basic Line Drawing. Building Tools will use...

TEMPLATE LAYERS: I recommend establishing an Artboard that you can use for all of your artwork. The initial Artboard Size can be changed at...

BUILDING WORKFLOWS

Complete the Workflow Builder and print your personalized workflow. Use it as your process checklist for your next three designs. Every guide is a written, step-by-step reference to use with your own artwork and designs. Workflow Guides are a part of The Creative System on Teachable. THE CREATIVE SYSTEM / LEARN + LAUNCH

PEN TOOL WORKFLOW: 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...

SHAPE-BASED WORKFLOW: A good place to start if you are new to Adobe Illustrator is our Beginner Guide (Shapes). We will be going through...

PENCIL TOOL WORKFLOW: Many of you are looking to use your Tablet with Adobe Illustrator. I am going to recommend breaking down your...

RESOURCE WORKFLOWS

BRUSHES WORKFLOW: Brushes are specifically designed for Illustrators and Cartoonists to speed up their workflow. Brushes Libraries allow for...

HALFTONES WORKFLOW: Halftones and Patterns Fills are designed for easy application, even if you are new to Adobe Illustrator. Halftone Fills behave the...

TEXTURES WORKFLOW: BMP Textures are extremely easy to use even if you are a beginner to Adobe Illustrator. Simply File-Place the Textures over...

FILE PREP + EXPORT

Run your next completed design through the File Prep checklist before uploading it. If anything doesn't match the spec, fix it before you publish. Every guide is a written, step-by-step reference to use with your own artwork and designs. Workflow Guides are a part of The Creative System on Teachable. THE CREATIVE SYSTEM / LEARN + LAUNCH

T-SHIRT LAUNCHPAD: Walk through six guided steps — from niche and concept to color theory and launch planning — and finish with a set...

PRODUCT LAUNCH: Set your niche, style, platform, and experience level — then let the AI build your complete Launch Kit automatically, including...

FILE PREP + EXPORT GUIDE: Building and exporting are two completely separate things. You build small, focused, and fast. You export large, clean, and platform-ready...

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