illustration tutorial

illustration tutorial

illustration tutorial

 10 need Tips &Tools All Adobe illustrator beginners should learn

Things aren't how they used to be. In the past, programs with limited benefits made it easier to choose the tools you had to study as a beginner. Today, however, given how many tools, tips and steps are available to learn, you can often feel overwhelmed and don't know where to feel.

I've used Adobe Illustrator for more than 10 years. now and I'm obsessed with vectors. I'm here to share with you my 10 necessary tips and tools all adobe illustrator beginners should learn, and connect you to a tutorial or two that will support your study of how to use it. . This item is a tool and tip that comes from my regular vector process, and without it I think I would wither or die.  Or I can't make something I want.  It's the same thing, let's be honest. 

So that's enough, let's get on this list. 

1. Don't Worry About the Pen Tool

Pen Tool can be scary for a beginner.  It has me some time to "tame" it, but don't let this get you going. Once you've mastered this tool, you can take anything in Adobe Illustrator.

I would be too suggesting you check out this fantastic tutorial by Web Design Editor Ian Yates on how to use the Pen Tool. Even have a download exercise towards the end of the tutorial.

Illustrators Pen Tool The Comprehensive Guide

It's true that you can create some pretty fantastic vector graphics without having the Pen Tool. If you check out Tutorials by regular Tuts+ instructor Andrei Marius, the majority of his tutorials are implemented without the Pen Tool. He is a strong proof you could make without the Pen Tool. This being said, my advice is to push myself and go for it. It's not as bad as you think!

2. Master Clipping Mask

Clipping mask is a game changer for me. So much so that I wish I'd found them a lot faster in Adobe Illustrator on my journey.

Masks inhibit the pattern, grouping shapes, roads or anything else you crave for a particular area, and have many uses.  I found it to be a wonderful time traveler and for this reason, I think all beginners should learn how to use it. 

I gave too much tutorial advice for beginners to Clippinh and Opacity Masks.  This tutorial is perfect for telling you the benefits of both are easy to follow. 

Beginners tutorial on Clipping plus Opacity Masks

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3. Become one with the Pathfinder panel 

I am happy Pathfinder panel.  . And that's the reality.  When I have to create a shape on top of another shape, the Pathfinder panel has the option to prop you up getting the perfect shape.  Of course this is too supportive to add to the trend to flat and illustrator designs based on basic shapes.  Take a look at our comprehensive guide to the Pathfinder panel from Tuts+ regular instructor Cheryl Graham.

Shape Modes with Pathfinder panel

I'm not done yet.  Once you've learned a lot of ways for the Pathfinder panel, move on a bit and learn how to use the Shape Builder Tool.  . It's like Shape Modes, but a little faster! 

Find out more about Shape Creation with Adobe Illustrator with our working Tuts+ Course.  

 4. Embrace the Appearance Panel 

Do you find yourself duplicating similar shapes over and over again to add different variations on top of another?  You did it wrong.  You may be able to run similar subjects but only with one shape, together with the Appearance panel.

The Appearance and Graphic Styles panels look like something only advanced users know when they first start out. I felt intimidated by it. But once you study how to wear appearance panels, it will rock your world. Here's something that blows your presumption: guess how many anchor points and shapes make the following single sliced kiwifruit?

How many anchor points plus shapes make up a single kiwi

If you answer anything other than four points/one shape, you're mistaken and you have to study how to use the Appearance panel!  One shape is used to create this, and this shows how strong the appearance panel is. 

5. Learn how to Create the Brushes

If one benefit comes from Adobe Illustrator that I use, then it's the ability to create and use homemade brushes. Discovering new benefits for brushes and creative ways to apply them is my vector anesthetic. 

I found, I use brushes art compared to other types, especially Width Profile inspired brushes (this is actually my first tutorial for Tuts+!).

Width Profile Brushes

There are many different types of brushes you can create, and once you learn about them, you'll find plenty of practice and trials to use them. Take a look at our collection of our favourite Brush tutorials on Tuts+. 

6. Practice in the Zen Panel Layers 

Right now it's too unprofitable that the end result comes from your vector (unless you're selling it as a vector file), but I'd like to advise beginners to study how to organize the vector files.  This means that everything comes from organizing and naming your Layers panel to block colors or sources from your unused files.

We all know that if being organized makes things easier in the long run, there will only be a little confusion.  If taking something comes from a study process that makes things easier for you, practice Layers against the Zen panel.  Take a look at the dancing tutorial coming from Kate McInnes on how to organise plus save a vector file. 

Look at that organised Layers panel

7. Fall in Love with Color

There are adobe illustrator facets available to make your life easier. One of them for me is the Swatch library, which comes with various versions coming from Illustrator.  These range from funky gradients to skin color palettes to built-in patterns and textures. 

It can be found alongside the connected Swatches panel and go to the bottom menu.  From there choose Open Swatch Library and be amazed by what's there.

I am a fan of the skin color palette and basic tekstru pattern.  Have a look and use them. 

In addition, available awesomeness comes from Recolor Artwork and Adobe Color (formerly called Adobe Kuler).  Find this shit and more coming from adobe color/kuler app tutorial. 

Have fun