50 Excellent Adobe Illustrator Video Tutorials

• By Jacob Gube
• January 4th, 2009
• Adobe, Illustrator, Tutorials
• 31 Comments

Adobe Illustrator is the industry-standard when it comes to the creation of vector graphics. Though a very robust tool – the learning curve involved in mastering it can be high. Thankfully, there are abundant resources on the web that allows you to “learn by doing”.

Video tutorials (in general) enable the learner to witness – step-by-step – how a particular technique works. We often learn best by seeing how things are done and following along with the instructor (much like in a classroom environment).

In this article, we present to you 50 excellent Adobe Illustrator video tutorials. We’ve broken down the video tutorials into several categories that include creating objects, effects, and general tips and techniques.

So fire up Illustrator, watch a few of these videos, and hopefully you will have learned a tip or two by the end of your adventures into these Illustrator video tutorials!

General Tips and Techniques

Patterns and Shapes in Adobe Illustrator
This tutorial is based on an advertisement that uses patterns and shapes to create a unique design effect.

Importing and Manipulating Images in Illustrator
Learn the concepts of importing and manipulating external images in Illustrator.

Creative Masking Techniques
See a method for using complex masking techniques in Illustrator.

Making a Custom Art Brush
Create your own custom Art Brush that you can re-use in multiple projects via this Illustrator video tutorial.

Using Kuler with Illustrator
This tutorial walks you through the process of interfacing with kuler (a community website for sharing color themes) via Illustrator so that you can easily select your color pallete.

Live Color in Illustrator CS3
Learn about the Live Color option in Illustrator.

Complete Guide to the Pen Tool
Master the Pen tool (one of the most used and complex features in Illustrator) in this video tutorial.

All about Masking
Learn the concepts of masking in Illustrator in this video tutorial.

Adobe Illustrator Masking Tutorial
This short and sweet tutorial will cover the basics of masking in Adobe Illustrator.

Opacity Mask
You’ll learn about a technique for performing opacity masking (usually done in Photoshop) in Adobe Illustrator creative selecting with the Marquee tool.

Clipping Masks
Learn about clipping masks to streamline the creation of complex objects in this excellent Illustrator video tutorial.

Vespa Speed Trace
In this video, you’ll see a method for speed tracing a stock image (in this particular case, a Vespa scooter is used as the reference image).

Offset Path tool
Master the Offset Path tool by following along this video tutorial.

Using the Paintbrush Tool
You’ll discover the powers of the Paintbrush tool in Illustrator in this excellent video tutorial.

Working with Layers and Groups
Understanding layers and groups in Illustrator (which is slightly different in Photoshop) can be a daunting task – but not so if you watch this video tutorial.

Working with Gradients and Blends
Learn the concepts and techniques behind utilizing gradients and blends to add graduated colors onto your Illustrator objects.

Select Objects Faster and More Efficiently
Maximize your workflow by learning how to select different objects on your Illustrator document in this video tutorial.

Creating Objects

Creating an iPod
In this video tutorial, you’ll see the process involved in rendering an iPod Nano from scratch using the 3D Effect tool (among other tools and techniques) in Illustrator.

Creating 3D Shapes in Illustrator
Utilize the Revolve tool in Illustrator to create a great-looking 3-dimensional shape.

Draw Fluffy Clouds
Create an illustrated cloud using the Pencil tool in Adobe Illustrator via this video tutorial.

How to Draw an Eye
In this video tutorial, you’ll learn the process of drawing an eye in Illustrator.

Drawing Face
Witness a process for creating a vectorized face using a reference photo.

Create a Gear
You’ll witness the creation of a complex gear object in this Illustrator video tutorial that involves a variety of techniques and tools like the Pathfinder tool.

Drawing a Gel Progress Bar
Learn how to create a stylish progress bar (inspired by the iPod progress bar) using a combination of techniques including the use of gradients and masking techniques.

Create Swirling Rainbows with Ease
Create the popular swirling rainbows graphic in Adobe Illustrator by following along this video tutorial.

Make a Fully Vector Metal Help Icon/Button
Make a metallic, shiny vector (and thus flexible in scale) icon via this Illustrator video tutorial.

3D Brochure
Add a bit of flare onto your print design mock-ups by making them 3-dimensional. This video tutorial shows you how to do it with a brochure, but it can easily be adapted to CD labels, software boxes, and other print design objects.

Watermelon
Learn how to render a watermelon in Adobe Illustrator via this excellent video tutorial.

Vector Drawing: “Dog”
In this fast-paced video, you’ll witness the steps involved in drawing a dog in Illustrator.

Creating Vector Swirls and Swooshes
This tutorial shows you how to create trendy swirls and swooshes using the Pen tool.

Roundtrip Logo from Illustrator to Photoshop
Find out the methods of an effective workflow that utilizes the power of Illustrator and Photoshop to create a grungy logo design.

Batman Logo
Create the Batman logo via this tutorial that shows you the true powers of the Illustrator’s Pathfinder tool.

Feynman Diagrams
Create a Feynman diagram in Illustrator for presentations and reports.

Create 3D Pyramid
This Illustrator video tutorial will walk you through the creation of a 3-dimensional pyramid.

Drawing a Nice Vector Golden Badge Award
In this video tutorial, you’ll be using a variety of Illustrator techniques including masking and working with the Pen tool to create a gold badge.

Vectoring an EyeBall
Learn to vectorize a human eye using a reference photo.

Creating Seamless Pattern
You’ll be creating a seamless floral pattern in this Illustrator video tutorial.

Tribal Sun Vector
Create a tribal Sun illustration by following along this excellent video tutorial.

Effects

Simple Silhouettes in Illustrator CS4
Apply silhouettes onto objects by utilizing the Gradient Mesh tool.

Create Wood Effect Using Gradients
Create a wood texture in Illustrator by using the Gradients tool.

Creating a “Firebrush” Logo
Make a fiery, fierce abstract logo design in Adobe Illustrator video tutorial.

Brushed Metal Effect
Give objects scalable “brushed metal” (also known as “brushed aluminum”) texture by following along this Illustrator video tutorial.

Vector Grunge Patterns and Distressed Text
Give text a distressed/worn effect via this Illustrator video tutorial.

Creating Glass, Shining, Reflective, and Vector Text
Go Web 2.0 in Illustrator by creating this sleek, shiny, glossy text effect.

Creating Comic Book Style Text
Give your text a comic book look-and-feel by following along this video tutorial.

Creative Background Effects
In this video tutorial, you’ll learn how to create abstract backgrounds/textures in Illustrator.

Abstract Vector Background
Create a stylish vector background by viewing this excellent Illustrator video tutorial.

Adding Texture
You’ll learn how to give your vector objects some texture in this video tutorial.

Create Intricate Patterns
Learn to create complex patterns in Illustrator via this detailed and highly-involved video tutorial.

Creating Vectorized Shining and Sparkling Heart Artwork and Icons
Make a vector heart piece by following along this wonderful Illustrator video tutorial.