WELCOME TO ILLUSTRATOR TUTORIALS
TUTORIALS
From Beginner to Expert
Setting Up the Work Space
The Very Beginning
Beginning with a new document, I will show you how to set up your work space to be just the way you like it. Including descriptions and explanations of toolbars and options.
Basic Shapes
Learning to Draw
From creating basic shapes to learning to edit what you have created and exploring the tool bar, these are the building blocks to creating fantastic imagery.
Using the Pencil Tool
Going Freehand
Simple lines and shapes build on your knowledge in the next installment of this tutorial. We will also be looking at smoothing your drawings and editing shapes you've already drawn.
Using the Pen Tool
For more accurate illustrations
The pen tool is what I believe to be the most useful tool on Illustrator's toolbar. It can be used to create the foundations almost anything your imagination can dream up.
Tracing and Vectors
What are Vectors?
The Pen Tool is fantastic for tracing the outline of shapes such as images, logos and products
Using Brushes
Adding Personality
Brushes can add some great effects to your designs with very little effort. After you have created one brush, you can save it and use it over and over again in a variety of projects.
Compound Paths and Shapes
Using simple to create complex
Compound items are made of two or more shapes. You can create complicated designs using these fantastic tools with a single click - give it a try and see what you can do!
Image Trace
Speeding up the Pen Tool
Image Trace is a great little tool that speeds up creating outlines. It can also create some great effects with many different settings.
Image Layers and Grouping
Organising your artwork
Layers and Groups enable you to organise your work effectively, and also help you to add effects across a number of objects rather than one at a time.
Transparency and Blending
Creating movement and excitement in your designs
In this chapter we are looking at methods of changing one thing into another using transparency for colours and blending for shapes and shading.
Moving and Transforming Objects
Learning how to create accurate images
We looked at how to move objects earlier - but what if you want to make sure that two shapes are exactly aligned with each other? Learn more in this chapter!
Text
Editing and playing with text
Text makes a huge difference to graphic design so in this chapter we are going to look at how to edit and change it to suit your needs, changing a bland brand look into something exciting.
The Symbol Tools
Complex Patterned Images
Using the symbol tools can help you to create complex patterns and images quickly and easily if you know how. Chapter 14 is an introduction into this range of tools.
There will be more chapters coming soon!
In order to keep these lessons free please please find a spare Quid/Dollar/Euro/Yen to send my way, and I'll keep 'em coming! :)
Thanks!
Ellie
Gradient Mesh
Creating Photorealistic Images
Moving on to something more complicated in this chapter, we will be learning to create some amazing 3D Photorealistic images