WORKFLOWS + CHECKLISTS
WORKFLOW GUIDES
The Workflows and Guides have been specifically designed so you can easily switch out the subject matter to align with your own artwork and designs. FAQ: I have created an FAQ list based on the last 10 years of YouTube comments. This could be a great place if you are looking for quick answers. PRINTABLE CHECKLISTS: If you are new, start with the printable checklists and workflows. FREE TOOLS: I have introduced new tools to assist you with your workflows; these can be found on the Free Resources page of the website. The tools are also organized throughout the workflow.
STARTING POINT: The major decision you'll need to make is your starting point and build mode. First, determine whether you have drawings and sketches ready to use, or if you will be starting from stock photos. We are looking to align the starting point, build mode, and export size.
PRIMARY BUILDING: The purpose of our Beginner Guides and Tutorials is to provide an overview of a workflow, allowing you to see the steps in sequence. These are designed to assist you as you go through our Free Tools and Workflow Guides. Clarifying these details will simplify your learning process in Adobe Illustrator.
FILE EXPORT: As you create your own original artwork, think about where you are posting, exporting, and uploading. Start with the end in mind, all requirements must be addressed before starting your workflow. I have created a full series of artboard, social, and POD size and requirement tools for you to use.
SKETCH TO BRUSHES WORKFLOW: If you are frustrated with the building in Adobe Illustrator and the Pen Tool, then just skip it. I have given you a Printable AI Workflow Guide (below). If you are new, start with our Free Resources and our Practice Exercise Builder. → FREE RESOURCES GUIDE / GETTING STARTED GUIDE
BEGINNER GUIDES: The major decision you'll need to make is your starting point and build mode. First, determine whether you have drawings and sketches ready to use, or if you will be starting from stock photos. We are looking to align the starting point, build mode, and export size. → BEGINNER GUIDE 1 / BEGINNER GUIDE 2 / BEGINNER GUIDE 3 / BEGINNER GUIDE 4 / BEGINNER GUIDE 5 / BEGINNER GUIDE 6
SKETCH: A rough, loose sketch works fine, since the AI is built to clean it up, not judge your draftsmanship—but a sketch it can't see clearly will produce a result that drifts from what you actually drew. I recommend a higher quality drawing rather than leaving it up to AI.
SKETCH TO BRUSHES: For anything using our Sketch to Brush Prompt Packs, a clean scan or photo of your sketch matters more than a perfect drawing. Even lighting, with no shadows or glare across the paper, and real contrast between your pencil lines and the paper make a genuine difference in how accurately the AI reads your linework.
EDITING: Jump straight to editing. If you are using prompts directly in Adobe Illustrator - Sketch to Concept then you will not need to vectorize your design. If you are using AI models, look to vectorize or use Image Trace in Adobe Illustrator. Use Expanded Editing Tools and Path Simplify for cleanup.
PEN TOOL WORKFLOW: If you are frustrated with the Pen Tool, a simple tip is to break down the process into 2 Steps. I have given you a Printable Pen Tool Workflow Guide (below). If you are new, start with our Free Resources and our Practice Exercise Builder. → FREE RESOURCES GUIDE / GETTING STARTED GUIDE
BEGINNER GUIDES: The major decision you'll need to make is your starting point and build mode. First, determine whether you have drawings and sketches ready to use, or if you will be starting from stock photos. We are looking to align the starting point, build mode, and export size. → BEGINNER GUIDE 7 / BEGINNER GUIDE 8 / BEGINNER GUIDE 9 / BEGINNER GUIDE 10 / BEGINNER GUIDE 11 / BEGINNER GUIDE 12
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.
LIVE EDITING: While you are building in Adobe Illustrator, you can use the “Live” Editing Tools to Cut and Edit Paths. Some of the basic tools will be the Scissor Tool, Path Eraser, or Shape Builder. I do recommend going long with your initial Paths.
LIVE PAINT OR FILLS: Coloring will be extremely easy using Live Paint Bucket. The goal of Live Paint is to create Shapes that we can color using Fills. Once you have completed the Live Paint Group, it is important to Expand and Upgroup. We will leverage these shapes for our Values and Gradients.
SHAPE-BASED WORKFLOW: A good place to start if you are new to Adobe Illustrator is our Beginner Guide (Shapes). I have given you a Printable Shape-Based Workflow Guide (below). If you are new, start with our Free Resources and our Practice Exercise Builder. → FREE RESOURCES GUIDE / GETTING STARTED GUIDE
BEGINNER GUIDES: The major decision you'll need to make is your starting point and build mode. First, determine whether you have drawings and sketches ready to use, or if you will be starting from stock photos. We are looking to align the starting point, build mode, and export size. → BEGINNER GUIDE 13 / BEGINNER GUIDE 14 / BEGINNER GUIDE 15 / BEGINNER GUIDE 16 / BEGINNER GUIDE 17 / BEGINNER GUIDE 18
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.
LIVE PAINT OR FILLS: Coloring will be extremely easy using Live Paint Bucket. The goal of Live Paint is to create Shapes that we can color using Fills. Once you have completed the Live Paint Group, it is important to Expand and Upgroup. We will leverage these shapes for our Values and Gradients.
VALUES: Vector designs look flat when they lack a defined light source and a strong value contrast between the foreground, mid-ground, and background elements. Without clear shadows, character shapes lose their roundness. Use the Knife Tool to slice crisp, graphic shadow blocks into the flat color layers, instantly creating clear dimensionality and a professional pop-art style depth.
PENCIL TOOL WORKFLOW: Many of you are looking to use your Tablet with Adobe Illustrator. I have given you a Printable Tablet-Based Workflow Guide (below). If you are new, start with our Free Resources and our Practice Exercise Builder. → FREE RESOURCES GUIDE / GETTING STARTED GUIDE
BEGINNER GUIDES: The major decision you'll need to make is your starting point and build mode. First, determine whether you have drawings and sketches ready to use, or if you will be starting from stock photos. We are looking to align the starting point, build mode, and export size. → BEGINNER GUIDE 19 / BEGINNER GUIDE 20 / BEGINNER GUIDE 21 / BEGINNER GUIDE 22 / BEGINNER GUIDE 23 / BEGINNER GUIDE 24
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.
LIVE EDITING: While you are building in Adobe Illustrator, you can use the “Live” Editing Tools to Cut and Edit Paths. Some of the basic tools will be the Scissor Tool, Path Eraser, or Shape Builder. I do recommend going long with your initial Paths.
KNIFE TOOL: After using Live Paint, Expand and Ungroup. Use a Duplicated Flat Color Layer for your Value Layers. The Knife Tool will cut Shapes. I recommend cutting out all of the shapes first before deleting them. You can use this technique for Highlights, Shadows, or Cast Shadows.
PATTERN WORKFLOW: The Pattern Workflow will utilize the Pen Tool and Shape Tools as the main building components. I have given you a Printable Pattern Workflow Guide (below). If you are new, start with our Free Resources and our Practice Exercise Builder. → FREE RESOURCES GUIDE / GETTING STARTED GUIDE
BEGINNER GUIDES: The major decision you'll need to make is your starting point and build mode. First, determine whether you have drawings and sketches ready to use, or if you will be starting from stock photos. We are looking to align the starting point, build mode, and export size. → PATTERN GUIDE 1 / PATTERN GUIDE 2 / PATTERN GUIDE 3 / PATTERN GUIDE 4 / PATTERN GUIDE 5 / PATTERN GUIDE 6
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.
LIVE EDITING: While you are building in Adobe Illustrator, you can use the “Live” Editing Tools to Cut and Edit Paths. Some of the basic tools will be the Scissor Tool, Path Eraser, or Shape Builder. I do recommend going long with your initial Paths.
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.
