ADOBE ILLUSTRATOR
TABLET BASED TUTORIALS
TABLET + ILLUSTRATOR
STEP #1: TABLET INSTALLATION. Make sure you have installed your Tablet as well as the driver based on the manufacturer's instructions. The 2 things people miss are either the driver hasn't been installed or you haven't restarted your computer after installing the driver. The Quick Start Guide will be going through my preferred method of teaching and using Adobe Illustrator with a Tablet.
BRUSHES + PRESSURE
STEP #2: BREAKDOWN YOUR WORKFLOW. Many of you are new to your Tablet and potentially new to Adobe Illustrator. I am going to recommend breaking down your workflow into multiple steps so you can understand the program before forcing in your tablet. I do see a lot of mistakes when people try to combine too many steps all at once with their tablets, so keep it simple.
FOLLOW ALONG TUTORIALS
STEP #3: FOLLOW ALONG. The first thing to note is that everything is in a Follow Along or Step by Step Format in our Adobe Illustrator Active Learning Curriculum the Website, YouTube and Teachable. I would plan 30 Minutes to an Hour per Individual Full-Length Module. We go in order to prevent Beginner Mistakes and do a lot of the troubleshooting within the Tutorials.
My Personal Settings
If you are still learning Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator, I would keep the settings and options on your Tablet as simple as possible. I have most of my Express Keys turned OFF or DISABLED since I use the program's Keyboard Shortcuts. While you are learning a program, focus on applying the different tools using best practices.
- Firm Pressure Setting
- Disable Tip Double Click (Mouse)
- Brush Size Up and Down ( ] [ )
- Normal Tilt Sensitivity (or Off)
- Use Keyboard Shortcuts
- DISABLE Express Keys
- DISABLE Touch Strip
- DISABLE Pop-Up Menu
Advanced Settings
(Advanced): As you are going through the tutorials on the website and playlists on YouTube, focus on what tools you are using in Adobe Illustrator. The goal of these tutorials is to build up time in the program so you know what tools you like and will operate within your workflow. Write down the tools you use with your tablet and add the most frequently used tools to your Express Keys. This will ONLY apply to those of you who have a Display Tablet (with Express Keys). Non-Display Tablets will use My Settings from above or Disable All Express Keys.
- Default or Right-Click
- Undo ( Control/Command + Z )
- Brush Size Up and Down ( ] [ )
- Modifier ( Shift )
- Pop-Up Menu
- Selection Tool ( V )
- Primary Building Tool ( N or B or Shift B )
- Custom Keyboard Shortcuts ( Edit )
- Primary Editing Tool ( E )
- Modifier ( Shift )
Pencil Tool Settings
I have provided you with 2 Pencil Tool Setting Preferences that you can try out. Double Click on the Pencil Tool to modify the settings within the Options Panel. The first group is for those of you who would like to edit and join paths on the fly as you are drawing. This will allow you to edit and modify the path as you are drawing. Note that the Alt/Option Key will act as the Smooth Tool and you just have to hover your cursor to Join Paths. The second Setting is for those of you who will be adding in Keyboard Shortcuts or using a 2-Step Approach. Most settings are turned Off.
These Settings will Keep your Path Selected after drawing which will allow you to Join Paths and hold Alt/Option to gain access to the Smooth Tool. This process combines drawing and editing which can be slower.
These Settings will allow you to get your lines down extremely quickly. I do recommend an overlap for corners so you can switch over to the Join Tool to join paths. (You can do this before or after applying brushes).
Download our (updated) Adobe Illustrator Brush Libraries to Use with Your Own Vector Artwork or follow along with our tutorials and playlists. Our 200+ Adobe Illustrator Brushes include our 70 Cartoon, 100 Comic Strip, and 50 Vintage Mascot Brushes. As a free bonus, I have included the Anchor Point and Tablet Friendly Guides to follow along with our 100 Adobe Illustrator Tutorials Playlist on YouTube and 50 Step by Steps on the Website.
(Updated) Adobe Illustrator Cartoon Brushes specifically designed for Cartoonists and Illustrators who are looking to speed up their workflows. Use Cartoon Illustrator Brushes with the Pen, Pencil or Paint Brush Tools to Apply different Line Variation to your Vector Artwork. Includes 70+ Cartoon Brushes (libraries include the Updated Cartoon, Cartoon 2, and Original Cartoon Brush Libraries).
Includes Hand Painted + Comic Strip Sets 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. Includes 100+ Brushes (libraries include the Updated Comic Strip, Hand-Painted, Paintbrush, and Fine Liner Brush Libraries).
Jittery Hand, Caffeinated Cartoonist + Rough Ink 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 with heavy ink and a little more wobble. Includes 50+ Brushes (libraries include the updated Caffeinated Cartoonist, Rough Ink, and Jittery Hand Brush Libraries).
ADOBE ILLUSTRATOR
BRUSHES + RESOURCES
DOWNLOAD BRUSHES
HALFTONES + TEXTURES
+ ADD ON OUR HALFTONES + BMP TEXTURES (SAVE $25 ON OUR RESOURCE BUNDLE)
+ Add on our Adobe Illustrator Halftones Textures to use with Your Own Artwork. Our Halftone Textures include our Halftone Pattern Fills for Adobe Illustrator. Pattern Fills are as easy as clicking on a Swatch to apply using fills or strokes. *Follow Along with our Halftone Resource Guide to Apply Halftones using the Blob Brush, Live Paint, and Fills.
+ Add on our Adobe Illustrator BMP Textures to use with Your Own Artwork. Many of you already have our Illustrator Brushes + Resources. Our BMP Textures Bundle includes our 360 BMP Textures for Adobe Illustrator. *Follow Along with our Texture Resource Guide to Apply Textures using Clipping Masks and the Transparency Panel.
ADOBE ILLUSTRATOR
BRUSHES + RESOURCES
DOWNLOAD BRUSHES
