Illustrator CS5: Effective Illustration Strategies
class description

Skill Level: 2 (what does this mean?)          — have you checked our Prerequisites page?

A Note About CS5

If you have a previous version of the software, don't worry! Although we're teaching Adobe^® Creative Suite^® 5, our instructors will point out which features are new and which aren't.

So whether you're using CS5 or its predecessors, our classes will meet your needs.

Class Description

You've got the basics: shapes, the transformation tools (scaling, rotating, etc.), using text, the essentials of Live Paint and Live Trace. In this class we learn how to combine paths and strategically alter them to make the most elaborate and precise illustrations. Make the difference between a good start and a finished piece!

what we cover

(always customized for the students in attendance):

Multiple strokes and fills

• "simple" shapes made complex
• reuse even the most sophisticated appearance attributes easily

Perspective Grid

• create 1, 2, and 3 point perspective
• learn the strengths and weaknesses of this new feature

A deeper look at Live Color

• use color harmonies
• take advantage of different color models to find your perfect color palette
• restrict an entire, full color illustration to just a few spot colors
• share colors with other Adobe applications

Custom Brushes

• calligraphy brushes
• sprinkle artwork along your paths
• simulate raster brushes and traditional media
• turn simple paths into artwork (like our fun pretzel pencil)

Symbols

• have your frequently used graphics close at hand
• reuse artwork
• update maps and other large illustrations quickly
• keep your complex pieces relatively lightweight

Raster Effects: nondestructive Photoshop-like effects

• create soft edges on your vector artwork
• create 3-D art from the simplest shapes

Patterns

• simple patterns
• geometric patterns
• organic, seamless patterns

Blends

• morph shapes into other forms
• shade with precision and subtlety
• add texture
• create many from a few: drawing with blends

Sculpt with the Gradient Mesh

• use a few vector paths to create complex shading effects

Envelope Distortions

• alter the shape and size of even your most complex artwork
• how to create manageable envelope meshes
• thinking ahead: building art with envelopes in mind

Masking

• clipping masks: using shapes to hide unwanted content
• opacity masks: Photoshop layer masks find their way into Illustrator
• pitfalls, benefits, and do's and don'ts