Adobe Illustrator for Beginners - Sketch to Vector Tutorial

[@Pixel3]

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

[@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!

[@andrew1470]

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

[@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.

[@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!

[@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!

[@hatzuikhaz]

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

[@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

[@zenbowminiatures]

This is one of the best tutorials I've ever followed on KZbin, had me from knowing nothing to having my first completed drawing in a few hours. Thank you!

[@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.

[@dabanjm]

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

[@jason3561]

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

[@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!!!

[@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.

[@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!

[@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.....

[@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!

[@sunny99179]

Hello! i really did not liked ilustrator much and hated photoshop. today after see how easy you do things,i feel i can start using them with no worries. by the way, what i the version of this ilustrator?

[@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

[@atlantisvsacid]

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

[@GreyMann_Echo]

Read through alot of the comments and didn't see this. So here it is. If you're using the pen tool, you can hold the "alt" key. By holding the alt key it changes it a different tool that you can use to grab the handles like the direct select arrow you talked about near the 2:00 mark. Sorry not near my system or I would tell you the tool name. Click and hold on the pen tool icon it should the be at the bottom. Looks like a line arrow head

[@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. 🙏

[@szlash280z]

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

[@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.

[@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 😅😅

[@finnheisenheim8274]

Is the sketch done?

[@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.

[@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!

[@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.

[@novemberrbloom]

idk why he draws everything again

[@dislikebutton6811]

God this helps a lot. What I used to do before was to drawing on paper, photo, try redrawing it in Photoshop with Pen display, fail miserably, get demotivated, week long break, repeat... Now I can into digital😊❤

[@VsyoEtoMelko]

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

[@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

[@motoscatus9200]

This one is the most helpful tuitorial ever

[@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.

[@ShimonVaza]

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

[@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.

[@kzbee]

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

[@whimsicalkw9346]

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

[@MystX001]

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

[@stopityasimoo]

It's been a yr since this is out n I just came across it now this shows how much distracted I'm wen I'm on this platform.. but love the video I got into digital art bcoz of u. Just a warm thanks for ur videos

[@jgf9577]

ok you are a good teacher, but more then a teacher, you are an artist!!!

[@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

[@togrowagarden]

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

[@xdyejm]

i´m learning illustrator and man, this tutorial was fantastic, i could make a cartoon my self, easy, thank you!

[@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!

[@peeweegonzales]

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

[@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.

[@asteniaa]

thank you so much for this video! I actually learned more here than in my class IN COLLEGE.

[@lucicuti3731]

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

[@ricofontane1764]

Finally a REAL tutorial

[@muggsspongedice6762]

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

[@lesedixz]

I'm in university doing UX design, there's a project that I've been struggling with for the entire semester and only figured out what I have to do a week before the submission an realised that I'm gonna need illustrator for it, now I am clueless when it comes to illustrator but the general art style reminded me of this one video I watched a long time ago about a dude who taught a class of anthropomorphic animals (who clowned on him for having Salmonella in his lunch) how to draw and that video was from your channel so I found this video too and man it is HELPING 😹😹😹😹

[@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

[@Lidstradamus131]

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

[@sarahmedouni8844]

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

[@danielanderson9022]

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

[@SmileyTheJester]

Oh my goodness, this could launch me into a new world of art!

[@OscarTorresWork]

I like Affinity Designer has the power of Illustrator and photoshop tools built in. I've been using Adobe for years and make the jump around 22 and it's been great.

[@oniros80]

@Brad when using the pen tool, you do not have to reach for Esc. I know my hand is typically already near Both Ctrl and Alt. Clicking with either of these, changes the tool and releases the pen tool from creating more points. And you are set to continue making a new path. For tablet users, the same applies from the keyboard and if you program Ctrl or Alt into your stylus buttons. Just hold the programmed pen button and tap for a new point, but no point will be made and the path will be released.

[@hebaalamri7815]

Holy Moly first time I find a teacher makes every subject easy Thank you so much and god bless you I'm gonna subscribe your channelit's perfect knowledge journey with you God bless you,, you deserve millions of followers I am so sad that I lost my money in real life for adobe training without benefit they have to call a Masters like you Thank you We want more easy videos for beginners^^

[@atikasekarayu]

Wah, this video better than what I've on my online course.. the technique and easy to understand steps, awesome!

[@josephashley4122]

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

[@elwiat7693]

I have fallen in love with that laptop, also great job and thanks for the information .

[@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

[@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?

[@richclabaugh2706]

Thanks for the Tutorial, it's made me think of more options when creating art in AI. When trying your shading tip I noticed the "Overlay' blending mode really only works as shading using Black. I tend to use a Purpleish color for shading and "Overlay' does not work for that color, it actually makes it lighter. I usually use 'Multiply' blending mode. So many different ways to get the same results! :)

[@morgan69666]

I was running into this issue even though I used a black fill color, thanks for the tip!

[@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 🤣

[@monalynnacap2129]

Ive only use illlustrator for logo design and icons. ill be using Illustrator for my thesis/capstone which involves characters and this is a big help. thank you!

[@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

[@10Lifeorg]

This just brought the drawing to vector thing together for me. Thanks.

[@ferranmunoz4409]

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

[@ninolabrador5595]

BEEN LOOKING FOR A PROPER TURORIAL . THANK YOU

[@patricegarrigues9842]

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

[@apaiiyui8488]

Thank you for this video ! I'm doing drawings for a learning book and my teacher told me "too many vectors drawings isn't good" soo.. I think this is a quite good example that it's not too much 😂 you can do really lively drawings with Illustrator, it kinda suprised me she told me that to be honest, but well 🤷🏻‍♀️ I love Illustrator snd this just makes me enjoy it even more ! Thank you ! ☺️

[@avanoyes3805]

Select your drawing layer and go into object, live paint, make, and then just press k on the keyboard to drop any color. So much quicker and less tedious!

[@otto3164]

Started smiling all the way when he was playing with the lighting in photoshop

[@AlAzeemAzeez]

Bruhv is an uncrowned king 👑

[@boldlinedesignllc]

I'd love to see more Vectorstyler tutorials doing stuff like this - it's much more robust than Affinity

[@blendabrar]

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

[@mukthananda2001]

Thank you so much 👍....now I got confidence how to convert my sketches to digital art ❤❤

[@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.

[@dryandave]

superb tutorial!!, too generous sharing your knowledge to all of us. a huge Thank you!!!!!!

[@nathanaelpras]

Finally, I'm not the only one who draws with a mouse on a computer

[@FarhAnMahatab]

i really like your style. but for removing any line you should use shape builder tool. it'll save you a lot of time.

[@thebradcolbow]

Yep, you totally can. It tends to work better with shapes than lines and I didn't want to throw to many tools at new folks at once.

[@Suresh21pariyar]

@@thebradcolbow I never tried illustrator due to complex tutorials out there i mostly use photoshop and csp with pentab as an illustrator. this was one the point and most of the options are like photoshop so that's the plus point for me . I tried it for 15 min now I'm killing it 😂😂 thanks

[@Kino_customs]

I’m in an adobe class and this helped so much bro 😭

[@EngineerRon]

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

[@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!

[@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 🙂

[@3DMetalParts]

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

[@mgdoodlestudio]

Thank you for this great tutorial! Maybe someday I will be able to use the pen tool without crying! 🙂

[@alextuyi]

I can't explain how this helps! Just, Thank you so much for this vid👍

[@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

[@dexydex514]

Better tip for coloring … duplicate the stroke layers and mix them in 1 layer, use the bucket fill button to color in 1 click, then remove the strokes, then drop the colors layer behind the original strokes

[@danielcarias7557]

1000$ course resumited in 30 minutes, thanks a lot..!

[@delgadoeliud]

Great job, Brad. I would love to see that process using Affinity Designer. That would be really helpful too.

[@thebradcolbow]

Great suggestion!

[@jacklucian1]

Would also love this :)

[@adaml.5355]

I’m sure that video would be much quicker. Affinity Designer doesn’t need to be split into Vector and Pixel. It’s all in one!

[@neozoid7009]

Yes awesome suggestions

[@CasualViewer-t4f]

Agree! I’m an Adobe user but I’ve been getting more impressed with affinity the more time I spend in it.

[@sebaschill2869]

Thanks for uploading this video, it is really helpful.

[@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.

[@ColinHolloway-z7n]

Good but quite a learning curve for me. I like it though,