The Best Adobe Illustrator Tutоrials from Iaroslav Lazunov of 2012

The year 2012 was rich on events and interesting work. I wrote not only tutorials for Astute Graphics, VectorTuts +, DesignModo but also I was working on my personal project Vectorboom.  Today I want to present you my top 20 tutorials in work in Adobe Illustrator, which proved to be the most popular among my readers.

How to Create a Gift Card and Prepare Artwork for Printing Using Adobe Illustrator and Phantasm CS

This tutorial covers the issues concerning the creation and pre-press workflow of a vector file. When creating an artwork that you are going to print, you should take into consideration the design’s technical factors. Phantasm CS allows you to quickly analyse and prepare the created artwork for printing.

Vector Drawing with a Graphic Tablet (Part 1 — Path Creation)

In this article we will discuss how to configure the Graphic Tablet for easy operation and configuration of Illustrator’s standard vector drawing tools to create a variable width path for illustrations. I will also describe several practical exercises that allow you to quickly master the Graphic Tablet. In the second part of this article, you will learn how to color vector illustration with the help of the Graphic Tablet.

Vector Drawing with a Graphic Tablet (Part 2 — Coloring)

There are several ways to color vector images. Here I will describe the most common of them and the tools that are used in this process. All these methods are used by professional illustrators. What are their differences and advantages?

How to Create Watercolor Background using Phantasm CS and Adobe Illustrator

In this tutorial I’ll show you how to create a vector Watercolor Background in an interesting way. You do not have to get yourself dirty with paint and waste expensive paper. It turns out that all you need is right within your reach, which is the Internet! I will teach you very quickly how to create vector paint brushes sets and re-model the default ones. Today, we will also learn about some of the Phantasm CS features that will make your work faster and more comfortable.

Create a Fairy Castle Using Adobe Illustrator and DrawScribe Plugin — InkScribe Tool

In this tutorial we will meet a new friend, the DrawScribe plugin, which is developed by Astute Graphics for a more convenient creative workflow in Adobe Illustrator. It consists of two tools; the InkScribe Tool and the Dynamic Sketch Tool. I’ll tell you about the features of these tools in the process of creating an illustration of a castle. The tutorial consists of two parts, each one is related to the work of one tool. This first part deals with the InkScribe Tool. This tool is designed to create vector paths consisting of Bezier curves and straight segments, and not only combines the features of drawing and editing tools, but also contains a number of features that you’ll learn about after the jump.

How to Create a Mail App Icon Using Adobe Illustrator

In this tutorial I’ll tell you how to create icons for iOS-applications, we will also talk about the technical requirements that are applied to this kind of products. In the process we will be using unique techniques that will allow you to create light and shade and soft play of colors.

How to Create a Vector Artwork in the Style of Pencil Drawing

In this tutorial I’ll show you how to create sketch-like vector brushes for reproducing a pencil sketch in vector artwork. Then we will apply one of the created brushes in practice and get to know all the stages of creating this artwork. In this tutorial I used the Phantasm CS and DrawScribe plugins so you’ll learn about some tools of these plugins and apply them to solve practical problems.

How to Create a CD Cover Design Using Illustrator, VectorScribe, DrawScribe and Mesh Tormentor

In today’s tutorial, we’ll use the most advanced technology in the world of vector graphics. The methods described here will allow you to work faster and more efficiently. I bet in this tutorial you will discover information which you have not heard of before!

Why you should use Adobe Illustrator to create user interfaces

Novice designers always come up with a question about which application to use to create user interfaces. Most choose a bitmap editor such as Photoshop. However, I believe vector editors are better suited for this purpose, especially when it comes to such a powerful application as Adobe Illustrator. Why? Let’s talk about this in detail.

How to Create a Promotional Website Infographic in Adobe Illustrator

In this tutorial, we will learn how to collect and process statistical data, then visualize it using Adobe Illustrator. You will also learn how the various vector elements of this project were created, as well as how to save the project in PDF format, edit it, add hyperlinks, and place navigation between pages. This is a detailed infographic tutorial and you can follow along at the jump.

How to Create Infographics in Adobe Illustrator

In this tutorial we will learn how to create the information graphics (Infographics) using the standard tools of Adobe Illustrator. We will also show you some ways how to change graph appearance retaining its dynamic functions; i.e. you will be able to edit the data graphs after all transformations.

Adobe Illustrator Tutorial: How to Create a Realistic Vector Wooden Texture

In this Adobe Illustrator tutorial we will teach you how to create a vector wooden texture using simple techniques and standard tools of Adobe Illustrator. I’m sure, after you’ve learned this tutorial you would spend no more than 10 minutes on creating a similar texture.

How to Create a Clean Vector Outline, in Five Minutes

Create vector outline in Illustrator has always been laborious work which requires certain skills and accuracy. In this Adobe Illustrator tutorial I will tell you how to get a clean vector outline quickly using a simple method.

Realistic Vector Sand and Pebble Texture Tutorial Using Phantasm CS and Adobe Illustrator

In this tutorial we will learn how to create random vector sand and pebble textures. It is not difficult to do if you have Phantasm CS. Of course, it could not be done without some magic, but I will generously share all the secrets with you. Find out more…

How to Speed up Illustrator When Creating Complex Vector Artworks

In this Illustrator tutorial we will learn how to speed up the work of Adobe Illustrator using very simple manipulations, which will take you only a few seconds, but will save hours of hard work.

How to Create Colorful Vector Fireworks in Illustrator

In this Illustrator tutorial we will create vector firework and will learn how to recolor it in different colors. You will also find out how to prepare this vector artwork for sale on microstocks.

How to Create a Vector Christmas Bell

In this tutorial we will learn how to create a Christmas Bell using the 3D modeling and a couple of other coloring techniques which will make our illustration look professional. This tutorial is especially suitable for proficient users but I’m pretty sure that our beginner designers will find a lot of useful information here.

How to Create a Realistic Cheese Seamless Pattern

In this tutorial we will learn how to create a realistic cheese pattern using reference image. Having studied the picture, determine vector techniques with the help of which we can reproduce an image in Illustrator. To create a seamless pattern, we will be using the Pattern Creation Feature in Adobe Illustrator CS6.

How to Create a Polygonal Vector Mosaic

In this tutorial we will create a mosaic consisting of polygons.  Free Scriptographer plug-in and our imagination will help us in this unsophisticated task. Have fun and enjoy our new Adobe Illustrator tutorial!

How to Create an Abstract Web Design with 3D Spheres in Illustrator

In this illustrator tutorial we will learn how to create realistic 3D spheres, without using 3D effects. 3D spheres are perfect for creating abstract background or designing of your own web site. Have fun in this Adobe Illustrator tutorial!