Most Technology Training classes will be delivered online until further notice.
Before each sesson, Tech Training will provide a Zoom link for live online classes, along with any required class materials.
This course will teach you how to create a digital illustration with vector graphics including using Adobe Illustrator's ever-improving pen, pencil, and paintbrush tools and creating an illustration from shapes, photos, and analog sketches.
Course Prerequisites
- Familiar with the basics of Adobe Illustrator.
Course Goals
- Learn the best strategies for using the Pen, Pencil, and Paintbrush Tools specifically for illustrating.
- Create vector graphics with customized shapes.
- Add interesting embellishments with the Polar Grid, Flare, and Blob Tools.
- Learn how to add perspective to your setting.
- Create a digital self-portrait.
- Demonstrate your understanding of the course topics by passing the learning assessment.
- Achieve a silver Illustrator Master Badge, with the option to continue to work towards the Adobe Illustrator Virtuoso Certification.
Even if you've used these tools in the past, you'll learn new features and techniques to improve your digital drawing workflow. By the end of this course, you will have a strong grasp of using these tools to position points precisely.
This course is for creatives who would like to learn how to apply Illustrator's drawing tools to digital illustration projects and who'd like to improve their illustrating workflow.
You are ready for this course if you:
- Feel comfortable navigating Illustrator's interface, using selection tools, and importing files.
- Know the fundamentals of composition and color combinations.
- Have an affinity for drawing and sketching.
You can advance to attempting the course assessment without attending the course meeting if you can answer yes to all of the following questions:
- Using the Curvature Tool, do you know how to quickly create a sharp corner without selecting a different tool?
- Do you know where to adjust the Pencil Tool options to allow the Option key to toggle to the Smooth Tool?
- Do you know how to assign a white fill with a black stroke to your Polar Grid with one hotkey?
Learning Outcomes/Course Objectives
By the end of this course, learners will be able to:
- Recognize when to slice a selection and when to join a path.
- Identify when to use the Pencil Tool, Curvature Tool, or shape tools for ease and efficiency.
- Produce an illustration and manipulate anchor points using the Pen Tool.
- Explain how to add perspective to draw the viewer's eye into your illustration.
- Select custom shapes to create creatures, accessories, props, and settings.
- Make and apply unique brushes to your work for defining texture.
Assessment Plan and Overview
This course has interactive exercises with demonstrations and an illustration activity that will be completed during class. There will be requests for participation and discussion, and handouts will be provided. Note-taking and questions are encouraged.
At the end of the lecture, you will receive a link to a 35-question assessment with a 25-minute time limit.
You will receive your silver Adobe Illustrator Master badge once you've correctly answered 70% of the questions.
Your results will populate immediately, and you may attempt the assessment a maximum of two times.
