Adobe Illustrator for Beginners - Sketch to Vector Tutorial

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In this tutorial we go over all the basics of Adobe Illustrator. If you've never used Illustrator or any vector program this is a great place to start. We begin with a sketch and take it all the way to a finished vector drawing. As a bonus we also jump into Photoshop to add some extra effects.
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[@YulRun]

Only 13 minutes into the tutorial, but I have to say, I've used illustrator before to mess around, but this short tutorial has already made it seem 10000x easier to use than I previously thought. Thanks for the awesome tips.

[@bebebampage7282]

same thought here. thanks @Brad Colbow!

[@Pixel3]

The instructor's clarity and succinctness make his teaching invaluable.

[@andrew1470]

Man I wish Brad does more of these easy to follow tutorials. Underrated art. Underrated youtube teacher.

[@sorenbright6340]

Step one: Learn how to sketch. I'll be back

[@victoriakost]

It’s been a while, how is it going?

[@Schaemia]

365 days later 😂

[@Franklin-hw6mx]

Bro lol

[@rock4459]

Bro give us an update on your sketch learning 😅😅

[@LucasSaturn]

Another way you could get your highlights and such to appear within the character at the Photoshop stage is to use clipping masks (by Alt+Clicking inbetween the layers). Would then mean it's easier todraw within that area.

[@j.s.partin6107]

Great work, Brad. Love watching and listening to other artists run through their methods of madness. Really enjoy all of your content. Keep up the great work.

[@thebradcolbow]

Much appreciated!

[@toonybrain]

Brad, you’re a gifted teacher: You know your subject well; you’re enthusiastic; your instruction is organized, concise, and clear; you deliver information with authority; you’re not condescending; and you seem like a people person. Although I appreciate Adobe features (I used Illustrator for years), I’m repelled by Adobe’s subscription model and the ridiculous, exclusive cost of their products, but I still found your video interesting enough to watch all the way through.🙂

[@zfuzzballer]

Strongly agree with the push against subscription models. Do you have an alternative set of tools that are not subscription-based?

[@behindtheglamour]

@@zfuzzballer I may have some, but I have no clue what I have or don't have. I had it gifted to me from a friend a little over a month ago and still haven't used it, or even figured out how to yet. If it wasn't for this video, I'd still be confused about all the buttons. Maybe you could tell me where to look and I can send some to you? I'm not even sure if it works that way, but I'm happy to help if I can!

[@kevinjackson4933]

This tutorial taught me the Illustrator basics last week, and now I'm on my fourth product design. Thanks sir!

[@markylreed-mcfarland5940]

I've never seen a single one of your videos before but I'm doing a mad dash of vector art for my assets in my game design class and your video has saved my mental health and my project. thank you. i owe you my life.

[@lonelytexasheeler]

Loved the tutorial, super helpful, definitely makes me want to explore more vector art now, it would be amazing if you could make more videos like this one

[@atlantisvsacid]

This is the workflow I taught myself through trial and error. First time ever seeing it in a tutorial 🤝

[@ailimeblueberry6793]

Honestly, I am amazed by the way you teach and admire your talent. I have been looking a video like yours for a long time. THANK YOU!!!

[@derekcarney]

Thank you so so much. I have tried to learn illustrator for years and always get frustrated even when doing the Adobe lessons. You go at the perfect pace and explain and SHOW exactly what we need to see. A lot of other videos go so fast and if you are trying to follow along you have to keep rewinding and searching what they clicked or what menu they went into. Adobe should hire you to be a master instructor. Well done. I can finally scan all my sketchbooks and bring my ideas into the modern world! Thank you again! I have watched a lot of videos on the adobe suite and there is no question- you are THE BEST.

[@toobraider]

Perfectly articulated. And agreed!

[@kat12km3307]

super straight to the point and so many useful tricks along the way- the only thing I'd ask for is to see the mouse whenever you're doing these just to see what you're clicking on or selecting a bit clearer

[@jchewy112]

This is by far the best tutorial I’ve watched since I’ve started digital art! I just learned some better techniques from you thank you so much!!! You’re amazing dude

[@hatzuikhaz2846]

Im learning Illustrator for college, you have taught me and made me understand this program 1000000% better than my professor, mad props

[@nunyabidnez529]

This man is eloquent. Speaks nothing but facts and I've learned more from him in the 6 min I've been here then i have from my 3000$ college art course. 😢 You speak beautifully. I have such a hard time finding a good person to listen to instructions. You ✨pop✨ your words and it's so crisp.

[@russellwier2010]

Hi Brad, I'm a new Illustrator user. This is by far the most rewarding Illustrator tutorial I've watched so far. It's incredible how much you've packed into this 30 minute video. My capabilities just leveled up big time, thanks to you. Liked & subscribed.

[@tealazzoclipart]

WOW What an absolutely AMAZING tutorial! Thank you so much for this video! I'm only starting out on Adobe illustrator after using Procreate for a little while now so I really loved watching your process! I feel like I've gained a lot more clarity in how to use Adobe Illustrator now just from watching this one video! Thank you so much once again! SUBSCRIBED! :D

[@VsyoEtoMelko]

I love this tutorial. Please do more of these. Maybe with Clip Studio or something :) Love your content!

[@aasthaaggarwal146]

beautifully explained. seriously not joking the way he named and explained each tool was - absolute excellence

[@chamalikodikara2290]

When I saw the thumbnail I thought there is no way I can make something like that but I followed along with the video and made my very first character and it came out good. Thank you for the detailed yet simple great tutorial.....

[@salmanabdulla3784]

Your a real drawing teacher Well I spent so many money for the drawing class but no use. but this vidio change everything because your two channels contains every basics. especially the poses. I love you sir.

[@kzbee]

Watching the character come to life bit by bit is amazing. Thanks for this! You make Illustrator look so easy 🙌🏻

[@drumdover]

Thank you for this tutorial! I sketch a lot of ideas for my projects and some turn turn out nice, so I've been wanting to digitize them. This is perfect as you show how to use separate tools together to achieve different effects.

[@ferranmunoz4409]

Dude, you have a talent not only for drawing but also for teaching! I really enjoyed this video and it was massively helpful!

[@2010kolokoy]

Man, all of your tutorials are golden. Consider all of your paid tutorials, sold. Keep it up, Brad for amateurs like me. Thank you. 🙏

[@dabanjm5803]

I think if you use (live paint bucket ) for coloring, it will make it so much easier

[@FinessenceSL]

Soooooo, this is video is EXACTLY what I needed right now. Like seriously the most perfect search as if my prayer was answered lol. I touched the pen tool yesterday and sat there dazed and confused. I've drawn a few photos that I wanted to clean up but didn't know the best way. This was my answer. Thank you.

[@whimsicalkw9346]

This is what a practical tutorial looks like. Great teaching! Thank you for making this!

[@rishikapant4469]

I learned a lot of things from this single video. Would love to know more about photoshop in detail and how to use its different tools for drawing. Just loved it!! Thank you

[@kimosahbe]

This is a super helpful video - I appreciated the use and more importantly the explanation of the overlay blend mode, it took a previously thought complex approach and simplified it immensely. This will exponentially increase my productivity and for that I thank you!

[@_EDDE_]

Wonderful tutorial! Thank you very much for taking your time and sharing this amazing content, Brad!

[@ShimonVaza]

First 30 min video I watched without skipping forward It's a very friendly and interesting tutorial for newcomers Thanks man

[@thingeeeeeee]

Actually this was pretty close to what I used to do when I was learning how to do stuff on Ai years ago! I relied a lot on Ps for colouring/highlights/shadows when I had no idea how to do that type of stuff on Ai. Also, the bezier tool (aka your friend, the pen tool) explanation was spot on (so many flashbacks from FreeHand went through my head lol). I think you did an excellent job with the basics here! In Ai there are many ways to reach a result, and what you have here are the good old basics that everybody should now. The only thing I would add, and to avoid hair pulling and suffering, is to Place instead of copying and pasting. When Illustrator 10 was around, there was this error called "memory leak" which pretty much killed the app and all progress was lost. Ai is a very demanding software, so anything to reduce resources impact will help in the long run. From experience, I noticed that Placing a file keeps the software more efficient and less demanding than when you just paste something on the artboard (also, if Ai crashes, your placed file will still be there). Also, thanks for the Esc advice... I always press Ctrl+Shift+A to deselect and that's a bit annoying 🤣

[@mennaayman9689]

The first Illustrator tutorial I actually understood. Thank you. I was beginning to lose hope watching some of the other artists go about this and I was feeling totally lost and stupid.

[@shaunpugh3287]

Excellent work Brad. That was super clear and a joy to watch. Thank you.

[@kvs-adonai5214]

What perfect timing! 👍 As if KZbin read my mind and knew I was contemplating how to bring in my new sketches for a children’s book that I’m illustrating. 🎨 I love to draw and color by hand as well as in AI/PS, but want to be as efficient with my time as I can, of course. Thank you for such a wonderful on point tutorial with no unnecessary verbiage! Looking forward to exploring your other videos as well. 😊👍🎉

[@EngineerRon]

Thanks Brad! Looking forward to doing this in Affinity Designer! Great stuff, as always!

[@bluekite1000]

What a great way to teach, step by step. I have learned so much watching you. You have a great style and easy to follow. Theres is always more than one way to do things with Adobe apps, but the way you make it look is even easier and to the point. Thanks for your videos.

[@omoneiy]

Hi Brad, thanks so much for this. I started doing book illustrations about a year ago and have been looking for ways to improve the quality of my work. This looks like something that'll work for me.

[@hopkinsbritt]

This was one of the best Adobe tutorials I've seen! Thank you! (Also, thank you for NOT having background music in your video ❤)

[@muratemresimsek8668]

You're always inspiring me to get involved in art. You did it with the video series on " how to draw cartoons " on your other KZbin channel and now vector art. You're so good . Thank you!

[@lightyear3429]

Could you link that series?

[@blendabrar]

Thanks man, I just started illustrator a few days ago. This video helped a lot. Keep making these kinda videos.

[@spiritualwarfareseries]

This is my first time watching your video,Brad and I really love them. I've struggled with AI before, tried watching other tutorials but yours I must say, is the best - easy to understand, not too fast and you explain your process really well. Thanks and will be going through your other videos now :D to learn More. Have a good day!

[@berlin7458]

Thanks for explaining it really well! I've been putting off learning soft soft cuz it looks so intimidating but now that I easily understood the

[@ntulwanemasha2215]

Great video. Basically a game changer for me. You've simplified so many things for me.

[@carimbo8604]

Absolutely beautiful art from a talented artist! Thanks for sharing AI and PS knowledge.

[@aaronvillanueva2239]

Exactly what I've been looking for! Thank you!

[@MystX001]

Thanks!!! You really helped me a lot with Adobe Illustrator, especially when you provide files of sketches.

[@josephashley4122]

This is great simple way explaining Illustrator and using Photoshop.. hope you do more of these. They really help.

[@togrowagarden]

this is exactly the kind of educational video I've been looking for, thanks, subscribed

[@iboe.clipse4848]

Thank you SOOOO much for this great video. It showed me a totally new way to do illustrations in a much more efficient and comfortable way!

[@jason3561]

I've seen over a dozen tutorials and this is the one. ⭐

[@3DMetalParts]

Thanks for the clear and concise instructions Brad! I learned a lot!

[@monroerobbins7551]

Oh my god, I’ve never thought about using Photoshop for EFFECTS, let alone about using overlay EVER. Thanks mate, this is actually quite interesting, I’m gonna try this out. Also, love the drawing you did, nice work!

[@mykhaylovuchastyy9947]

Awesome workflow Brad. I literally never knew you can ctrl click the thumbnail to select the object in PS. I would usually Alt click between layers to lock it.

[@MaurizioFino]

Awesome video, thanks for making something / many things so clear and understandable!!

[@gideoneditx9169]

I was intrigued through out the video --it was easy and very clear..Just know that you are creating a great content and making a big difference

[@drewcain]

A great tutorial that was really fun to watch. One tip when you're in Photoshop though. For all your highlight and shadow layers, you could have put them in a group and used your selection to create a layer mask on the group OR you could have clipped all those layers to your character effectively masking them to that shape. Both easier and more intuitive than having a constant marching ants selection, and both those options allow for overpainting and blurring later without the hard edge caused by the limiting selection. (Also, no need to hit the selection tool and then click outside your selection -- just Command (CTRL) + D.

[@fonoogui]

wow great video

[@peeweegonzales]

You make it look so easy! THANK YOU for this sensei!

[@midsoulmusic]

you came at the right time with this video Brad! THANK YOU!

[@ptwoski]

You're totally amazing!! I was contemplating because I don't know how to use krita to paint my digital art but now you've given me a easier way to do it! Thanks 🙂

[@patricegarrigues9842]

So so helpful! Thank you so much! Very clear and thorough. Helps me feel more hopeful about getting the hang of illustrator.

[@trevor2830]

Needed this Thanks Brad🙏

[@cHozelLe]

This is so fun to watch!!! Thanks for sharing this tutorial! It's amazing!

[@Carol_SG]

Thank you! This tutorial is great!

[@josee.gonzalez-chavez2320]

Thank you. I found this very useful. I will definitely use the knowledge when using Photoshop or Illustrator.

[@linkonprime]

Tip: Rather than merely lock the layer with the original art, double click the layer (on the tiny square with the preview of the layer) which brings up the layer options. Then select "Template" to make that layer a template. Now, create the 2nd layer for drawing. Now press "Ctrl + Y" (Cmd + Y on Mac PCs), this will toggle between outline mode and preview modes. In outline mode, you can still see the template layers (original art), but the layer you are using the pen tool on will just show the outlines. So, no need to set the stroke and color of the object in order to see the art you are tracing. This is also useful for when you've already set all the colors of your art. You wouldn't want to have to go in and switch all the colors to empty fill and black stroke just to make a simple edit to your shapes.

[@anielender]

Wonderful tutorial. Thank you very much!

[@szlash280z]

I'm watching this video again and I gotta say you are a fantastic teacher!

[@ciaraccreates]

This was very helpful. I digital paint in photoshop a fair bit, but I'm working on a character that might have to go on a car wrap. Thanks for putting this together and making the task seem less daunting

[@mr.silence2895]

Best explanation ever dude thanks so much i have learned only from u the rest youtubers dont care that much they just make video and its all. U u are different u put a soul in it u care. Respect

[@Podgrzej]

Awesome tutorial! Thank you

[@lucicuti3731]

Best one I have ever watched. And boy I have watched a few. You are a great teacher!

[@edgedemart7612]

This allowed me to make my first ever digital artwork! thanks so much, it was so fun!

[@ivy9933]

Such a nice illustration! Loved to watch and learn!! Thank you.

[@webdronez]

Great Tutorial. I've picked up on quite a bit. Thank you for your content.

[@mohammadtutorials]

Amazing Work, Really appreciated the effort you put in this video.

[@cmcmillan4409]

Thank you Brad. Excellent work.

[@muggsspongedice6762]

This is definitely the best tutorial I have found and I have been looking to use PS on a new Cintiq Pro 27

[@itswubsky]

I have learned so much in the first 10 minutes... I have been using the pen tool for a bit now... and some of the things i hate about it have been fixed! Thank you!

[@metaphysgaming7406]

thank you sir ! im still learning and i found this awesome tutorial ! this really help me so much !

[@222liesl]

I'm entirely self-taught, and barely computer literate, so this was HUGE information for me. The pen tool! Who knew? Thanks for sharing.

[@AeroChocolat]

Thank you! Your tutorial is very helpful

[@SethDrebitko]

Thanks so much for this video. I'm using affinity software, but this video was just generally great for helping me better understand the vector art workflow.

[@Bevanclan]

Thanks so much for this tutorial!

[@joelcaballero8620]

Thank you for sharing your process.

[@jbiliHacker]

The video that i long looked for!! thank you!!!!

[@danielanderson9022]

Best instructional video I have found. Thanks so much for your tutoring.

[@EmanuelTiago]

Muito bom! Me abriu a mente. Muito obrigado e saudações do Brasil.

[@sarahmedouni8844]

another video like this please! we'd lov to review what we learned while watching you do a different illustration

[@ganeshsubramanya21]

Thanks brad, it was really entertaining and educational

[@ninolabrador5595]

BEEN LOOKING FOR A PROPER TURORIAL . THANK YOU

[@joaofreitas8724]

this opened my eyes for so many things! thanks a lot!

[@Lidstradamus131]

Not only was this a very informative video but you are a very good artist. Dope man. Thanks

[@royaluelpulma1117]

Thanks so much for putting out great contents. I learned a lot after watching your process. will be trying some of the techniques soon.

[@pidesign5024]

This was great, thank you!

[@-r6419]

AMAZING TUTORIAL! I learned a lot watching it.

[@Jadag187]

So useful and detailed! This is so fun that I didn’t even realise I watched it twice 😅 ! Thank you ver much 😊