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Back-to-School With 40 Excellent Adobe Illustrator Tutorials

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Learning is a process which continues throughout the life of an artist, graphic designer, and illustrator. Along the way, designers find the task of mastering Adobe Illustrator a large obstacle which requires practice and experience in using the vector-based application. Practice comes in the form of tutorials, which offer tips, tricks, and artistic styles from other designers who have mastered certain techniques based on their experience.

From these tutorials, a designer can polish their skillsets on a variety of topics which will strengthen their own artwork. Sometimes a simple tutorial has tips which may have been overlooked based on the subject of the tutorial. By looking past the subjects of the tutorials, an endless array of learning opportunities exist. Essentially, the tutorials become not only a teacher but a “class” which a designer can repeat as often as necessary to refine their skills.

This post presents 40 excellent simple to complex Illustrator tutorials and presents the overall techniques of each tutorial, summarized in a brief overview. The purpose is to pick and choose among the tutorials based on the areas that need improvment. Whether a seasoned professional or a designer just starting out, these Illustrator tutorials offer a way to brush up on one’s skills.

Illustrator Tutorials

Gradient Mesh Bell Pepper Tutorial

  • Use multiple smaller Meshes to create a realistic object
  • Learn to use the Eyedropper Tool (I) to sample colors from a reference photo

Redpepper in Back-to-School With 40 Excellent Adobe Illustrator Tutorials

How to create a Television Icon

  • Using Offset Path on an object
  • Learn to use Gradients to create surface texture and depth
  • Create a reflection using an Opacity Mask

Tvicon in Back-to-School With 40 Excellent Adobe Illustrator Tutorials

Working with 3D Objects and Transparencies to Make a Vector Cola Bottle Design

  • Learn to “cut” up an image in Pathfinder and use the pieces in 3D Revolve to create solid objects
  • Map art (symbols) onto a 3D object

Vectorcola in Back-to-School With 40 Excellent Adobe Illustrator Tutorials

Create a Stylish Colorful Text Effect in Illustrator

  • Learn to use Offset Stroke on text
  • Apply a Pattern Swatch to text

Colorfultext in Back-to-School With 40 Excellent Adobe Illustrator Tutorials

Illustrate a Malevolent Skull in 8 Steps

  • Working with a sketch and outlining with the Pen Tool (P)
  • Use Outline/Preview modes during design process
  • How to use the Reflect Tool (O) to save time

Skull in Back-to-School With 40 Excellent Adobe Illustrator Tutorials

Create A Wood Grain Texture

  • Use Raster Effects, Live Trace, and Expand to create a texture
  • Learn to use the Warp Tool (Shift +R) to customize a texture

Woodgrain in Back-to-School With 40 Excellent Adobe Illustrator Tutorials

Illustrator ring shape via overlapping crescents effect

  • Create abstract geometric shapes with Linear Gradients, Align, and Pathfinder
  • Learn to use Smart Guides (Cmd/Ctrl + U)

Crescentring in Back-to-School With 40 Excellent Adobe Illustrator Tutorials

How to Illustrate a Brain Icon for OSX and Vista

  • For faster coloring, use the Live Paint Bucket (K)
  • Bonus Lesson: How to turn art into an icon

Brain in Back-to-School With 40 Excellent Adobe Illustrator Tutorials

Create a Realistic Candy Bar in Illustrator

  • Tips on stacking order for the Layers Panel when using a sketch
  • Create realistic creases in paper
  • Where to place shadows/highlights and why

Candybar in Back-to-School With 40 Excellent Adobe Illustrator Tutorials

How to Create a Vector Smiley Icon

  • Working with Radial Gradients
  • Copy design elements for symmetry
  • Learn how to use the Isolation Mode

Smileyicon in Back-to-School With 40 Excellent Adobe Illustrator Tutorials

How to Create a Radial Mesh in Illustrator and Make a Vector CD

  • Create a radial mesh from a Radial Gradient and the Mesh Tool (U)
  • Learn the finer points of selecting mesh points
  • Create a Clipping Mask

Cd in Back-to-School With 40 Excellent Adobe Illustrator Tutorials

Illustrator full spectrum spirograph

  • Using the Rotate Tool (R) to create abstract shapes
  • Learn to use Transform Again to save time

Spirograph in Back-to-School With 40 Excellent Adobe Illustrator Tutorials

How to Make a Cartoon Style Cereal Box Logo in Adobe Illustrator CS3

  • Effectively use Strokes, Align Stroke, and Selection Tool (V) to modify fonts
  • How to use 3D Extrude & Bevel Options to Create 3D Text

Vectorpuffs in Back-to-School With 40 Excellent Adobe Illustrator Tutorials

How to Create a Gearbox Settings Icon Using Simple Shapes

  • Use the Rotate Tool (R) to rotate shapes relative to another shape
  • Create a metallic texture using shapes and Radial Blur
  • Design a perforated metal backing using Gradients

Gearbox in Back-to-School With 40 Excellent Adobe Illustrator Tutorials

3D Effect Extrude and Revolve

  • Learn to use simple shapes to create a 3D object with Extrude & Bevel

Ladle in Back-to-School With 40 Excellent Adobe Illustrator Tutorials

Illustrator Tutorial: Realistic Orange

  • Learn to use Plastic Wrap Effect and Sponge Effect to create an orange peel texture
  • Effectively use Opacity in an illustration

Orange in Back-to-School With 40 Excellent Adobe Illustrator Tutorials

How to Create Semi-Realistic Scissors in Illustrator

  • Using shapes and Gaussian Blur, create an aged metallic texture
  • Learn to add highlights on metal contours

Scissors in Back-to-School With 40 Excellent Adobe Illustrator Tutorials

How to Create a Hippy Van Vector in Illustrator

  • Trace a photo with the Pen Tool (P)
  • Expand strokes to add Gradients

Hippyvan in Back-to-School With 40 Excellent Adobe Illustrator Tutorials

Illustrator Quick Tips #1 – Complex Symbols with Pathfinder

  • Use the Gradient Tool (G) to create a 3D effect
  • With the Pathfinder Divide, create abstract shapes
  • Learn to use the Blending Mode Multiply

Complexsymbols in Back-to-School With 40 Excellent Adobe Illustrator Tutorials

How to Make a Vector Diamond Ring in Illustrator

  • Use Pathfinder to create a compound shape
  • Create a metallic finish with Gradients
  • Create a diamond with Linear Gradients

Weddingrings in Back-to-School With 40 Excellent Adobe Illustrator Tutorials

Create Fun, Eye-catching Text with Adobe Illustrator

  • Use the Free Transform Tool (E) on text to create depth and perspective
  • Highlight and shadow placement on text

Wowtext in Back-to-School With 40 Excellent Adobe Illustrator Tutorials

‘Women and Cats’ How-To Advanced Tutorial

  • Learn about shading/highlights in vector portraits
  • Use of Transparency and Opacity Masks

Womanandcat in Back-to-School With 40 Excellent Adobe Illustrator Tutorials

Turn Any Font Into a Sketch Font

  • Learn to use the Scribble Effect and Roughen to create a font
  • Create a custom Graphic Style

Scribbletext in Back-to-School With 40 Excellent Adobe Illustrator Tutorials

How To Create A Realistic Pendrive in Adobe Illustrator

  • Learn how to align objects to the Artboard
  • Create a realistic metallic surface using Linear Gradients

Pendrive in Back-to-School With 40 Excellent Adobe Illustrator Tutorials

How to Create a Rainy Window Vector Background

  • Create an abstract background with the Mesh Tool (U) and circles
  • Use Gradients, Inner Glow, and Warp to design raindrops
  • Learn to make a Symbol from artwork

Rain in Back-to-School With 40 Excellent Adobe Illustrator Tutorials

Draw a Cute Purse Using Simple Shapes

  • Modify shapes using the Warp Tool
  • Use Pathfinder Exclude to create new shapes
  • Learn to design a simple pattern
  • Quick Tip: Horizontal Align to align anchor points

Purse in Back-to-School With 40 Excellent Adobe Illustrator Tutorials

Make a Christmas Light Bulb in Illustrator

  • Create a quick glossy orb using Gradients and the Blend Mode
  • Add an image to a round surface using Pathfinder

Christmasbulb in Back-to-School With 40 Excellent Adobe Illustrator Tutorials

How to Create Shiny, Vector Dice in Illustrator

  • Learn to use the 3D Extrude & Bevel
  • Create highlights on a 3D object with the Gradient Mesh Tool (U)

Dice in Back-to-School With 40 Excellent Adobe Illustrator Tutorials

Create a Cute Vector Monster from a Pencil Sketch

  • Learn to rough in a character using the Pen Tool (P)
  • Use tapered brushes to create a sketch style

Vectormonster in Back-to-School With 40 Excellent Adobe Illustrator Tutorials

Drawing a chinese fan

  • Create symmetric shapes using the Rotate Tool (R) and Ctrl+D
  • Overlay images using Symbols and Color Burn

Fan in Back-to-School With 40 Excellent Adobe Illustrator Tutorials

How to Draw A Realistic Vector Light Bulb From Scratch

  • Create a metal thread contact with Effects and Gradients
  • Use the Zig Zag Effect to create wires

Lightbulb in Back-to-School With 40 Excellent Adobe Illustrator Tutorials

Create a Character Mascot with Adobe Illustrator CS4

  • How to set up an Adobe Illustrator file to trace with a sketch
  • Create a Custom Art Brush

Charactermascot in Back-to-School With 40 Excellent Adobe Illustrator Tutorials

Hit the Mark with a Realistic Vector Dartboard

  • Using Transform Effect to create segments
  • Save time with Live Paint
  • Learn to create bent wire numbers

Dartboard in Back-to-School With 40 Excellent Adobe Illustrator Tutorials

The Shane Harper way to go Lineless!

  • Add details to a drawing with the Pencil Tool (N)
  • Alter shapes quickly using the Knife Tool

Bear in Back-to-School With 40 Excellent Adobe Illustrator Tutorials

Illustrator Tutorial: How to Make an Icy Cocktail

  • Simulate “glass” using Color Burn and Gradients
  • Create Water Drops quickly

Cocktail in Back-to-School With 40 Excellent Adobe Illustrator Tutorials

Create a Simple Vector Creature in Illustrator

  • Learn to use Guidelines effectively
  • Use the Reflect Tool (O) for symmetry
  • Change end caps on Strokes to alter paths

Fluffycreature in Back-to-School With 40 Excellent Adobe Illustrator Tutorials

Create an easy landscape scene in Illustrator

  • How to use the Crystallize Tool to create shapes
  • Learn to use the Free Transform Tool (E) to create perspective

Landscape in Back-to-School With 40 Excellent Adobe Illustrator Tutorials

How to Create a Killer Chainsaw Bunny Character

  • Learn to trace with vectors
  • Block a character in using the Pen Tool (P)

Chainsawbunny in Back-to-School With 40 Excellent Adobe Illustrator Tutorials

Blueprint-Style Text in Adobe Illustrator

  • Use Scribble Effect to create a hand drawn font
  • Learn to use an Opacity Mask with a Gradient

Blueprinttext in Back-to-School With 40 Excellent Adobe Illustrator Tutorials

Create a Cute Lipstick Tube

  • Working with shapes and Pathfinder
  • Learn shading tips for 3D Objects
  • Design a Reflection on a shiny surface

Lipstick in Back-to-School With 40 Excellent Adobe Illustrator Tutorials

Conclusion

These Adobe Illustrator tutorials are just a sample of some of the free learning opportunities available online. Learn to look past the tutorial subject and find what skills the tutorial covers. After all, it’s never too late to go back to school!

Further Resources

Melissa Scroggins is a freelance graphic designer who loves designing icons, creating vector illustrations, and playing survival horror video games. Follow her on Twitter where she posts on a regular basis.

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    1. 1
      Crowey
      September 23rd, 2009 3:42 am

      Very useful tuts smashing!

    2. 2
      Tom Bradshaw
      September 23rd, 2009 3:54 am

      Nice article, really useful tutorials!

    3. 3
      Timbronze
      September 23rd, 2009 3:58 am

      Some very good tutorials, nice :o) will have to go and play about with some of them…

    4. 4
      Rafael Braga
      September 23rd, 2009 4:04 am

      Great collection .. thank you! =)

    5. 5
      Webstandard-Team
      September 23rd, 2009 4:09 am

      Very nice collection, but dont’ miss the “Viking Logo-Tutorial”!

    6. 6
      chary
      September 23rd, 2009 4:14 am

      Great…………. :)

    7. 7
      Retheesh
      September 23rd, 2009 4:22 am

      Good collection …thank you

    8. 8
      Laura
      September 23rd, 2009 5:13 am

      Exactly what I needed! Thanks :D

    9. 9
      j
      September 23rd, 2009 5:46 am

      great stuff

    10. 10
      Brij
      September 23rd, 2009 5:53 am

      As always…..Very useful tutorial specially for designers who wants to improve their illustrator skills!

    11. 11
      Luis Lopez
      September 23rd, 2009 8:34 am

      Very helpful, back to Illustrator School ;)

    12. 12
      Mauro
      September 23rd, 2009 9:23 am

      oh men, this smashing me! :D

    13. 13
      Caitlin Reynolds
      September 23rd, 2009 10:10 am

      Awesome article.. I’m going to give the bell pepper and the skull a try when I get some free time.

      Smashing Mag is still kicking ass!

    14. 14
      Steve Grever
      September 23rd, 2009 10:20 am

      I can’t wait to try these tutorials at home. You guys rock!

    15. 15
      Venkat
      September 23rd, 2009 10:43 am

      grate work….

    16. 16
      eDsgn (Brazil)
      September 23rd, 2009 10:48 am

      I think SM post this already…

    17. 17
      Jaz
      September 23rd, 2009 11:18 am

      Excellent article.

      Get Free Backlinks Here

    18. 18
      Venkatesh
      September 23rd, 2009 11:48 am

      Very Useful!!!

    19. 19
      Bryan
      September 23rd, 2009 1:03 pm

      This is just what I am after. Cheers!!!

    20. 20
      Callum Chapman
      September 23rd, 2009 1:28 pm

      Thanks for featuring two of my Illustrator tutorials, very much appreciated! :D

    21. 21
      ilike2draw
      September 23rd, 2009 2:37 pm

      Smashing,

      You guys are amazing! Thanks for putting this together! All of you are are invaluable and provide an invaluable service to the web design community.

      Cheers!

    22. 22
      Vinh
      September 23rd, 2009 6:47 pm

      Thanks so much. It’s very helpful.

    23. 23
      loputreyu
      September 23rd, 2009 8:03 pm

      Спасибо. В этом блоге комментаторы хотя нормальные.. А то пишут обычно в комментарии ерунду всякую.

    24. 24
      gr8pixel
      September 23rd, 2009 8:49 pm

      I’m a huge fan of Andy Gilmore’s work… you guys should mention his name somewhere in this article! he’s a genius in making simple vector shapes in to stunning spirographics. great post though! :)

    25. 25
      sarath
      September 23rd, 2009 9:50 pm

      …………………..Marvolous tutorials………………………………………

    26. 26
      Sapphiro
      September 23rd, 2009 9:59 pm

      This is exactly what I needed more, thanks! (Been flipping through other adobe illustrator tutorials on SM recently)

    27. 27
      Kayla Knight
      September 23rd, 2009 11:00 pm

      Great collection! I’m beginning to love Illustrator more and more everyday!

    28. 28
      ajl
      September 23rd, 2009 11:28 pm

      Great list,very helpful. 10x

    29. 29
      Quakeulf
      September 23rd, 2009 11:43 pm

      I’ve seen most of these already, but nice to see them all collected. :’3

    30. 30
      LIGHTNING
      September 24th, 2009 2:39 am

      Ah, finnaly i can start ilustrator agian:D

    31. 31
      Akbar Shah
      September 24th, 2009 9:43 am

      Hey thats a nice set of illustrator tutorials…

      Thanks

    32. 32
      Alex Batista
      September 24th, 2009 3:56 pm

      Very good! Congratulations one the post. It’s one of the best.

      Bye

    33. 33
      Muhammad Omer
      September 24th, 2009 8:21 pm

      I’ll try all these..
      Thanks Smash.

    34. 34
      Fabian
      September 26th, 2009 2:49 pm

      Fireworks is the better Illustrator!

    35. 35
      JackieChia
      September 26th, 2009 5:40 pm

      THAT’S REALLY COOL

    36. 36
      Shane - Inspiring Your Success
      October 16th, 2009 8:07 am

      Oh wow, what a nice collection of tutorials! Best collection I have ever seen.

    37. 37
      Fahim Murshed
      October 17th, 2009 11:26 pm

      Great collection. Can i use some pic in my personal blog?

    38. 38
      dsi r4
      October 22nd, 2009 11:17 pm

      Hi guy’s,
      It’s really Good Collection.i like it.Thanks fore sharing useful information.

      dsi r4

    39. 39
      gweb
      November 1st, 2009 11:15 am

      I was looking for group lessons of this type you Reduced me the time to research

    40. 40
      Ravinder
      November 4th, 2009 9:11 pm

      simply gr8 …..

    1. 00

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