Article ideas for Illustrator Techniques?

[GrafxEditor]

Hi guys,

First, let me introduce myself. My name is Annie Cushing, and I'm the new Managing Editor for the Adobe Illustrator Techniques newsletter. If there's anything you'd love to learn how to do in Illustrator, please let me know, and I will do everything in my power to make that happen. Or if you work with Illustrator and know of some cool tips and techniques, let me know those too. We can then pass those on to others working alongside you in the vector trenches. :)

Also, if you'd like to try your hand at writing an article for AIT, please contact me via email at acushing@photoshopuser.com. (You can also email me with article ideas to get a quicker response than you might get with posting.) We do pay for articles. It's nothing you'd want to retire on or quit your day job over, but it's a little mad money to reward you for writing about what you love doing anyway. And you don't have to be Pulitzer writer to qualify. We'll pretty it up and make you look really good. :)

I look forward to maintaining the high standard that has already been set for this publication.

Annie

[Phats57]

I'm going to be pretty vauge in genreal here, but one thing I personally would like to see are some tutorials on creating interesting comic art/characters. I know there are so many different avenues to go down here, but I have seen a lot of different members works on this site which are created from scratch that I would like to be able to create. So basically some articles on basic techinques of creating characters from scratch, rather than working with or manipulating existing photos. Some of the work I have seen is really out there in terms of creativity, which is pretty cool. I have seen many tutorials of creating meshes or sketching over existing photos in order to create vector realism, which is great and I use those a lot, but I want to get involved with starting at a blank slate and creating something from there. :cool:

[UN4GIVEN]

I can help...I've contacted Annie about a possible article and or tutorial for IT!

We'll see what happens!

:cool:

[Phats57]

Thanks, that would be something I would certainly look forward to in my next issue if it went through. Maybe even a video tutorial on the site would be cool. :cool:

[GrafxEditor]

Thanks, guys. I'm keeping track of your great article ideas (the ones posted here and the ones I've received via email). We're already in the far-left editorial lane to make them happen. We definitely want to keep our finger on the pulse of what our members want to read in the newsletter and on the website, so keep those brainstorm clouds brooding. :)

Annie

[Paths]

Hi there, thanks for asking for our input.

I'd love to see a tutorial on creating scrolling designs - the classic clean lines and curves - used in corner and page framing elements. Especially how to get the nice curved spirals that have a varing path width. The type you would see on an elegant wedding invitation or menu.


Along the same line - how to make intricate certificate borders (the kind you see on old stock certificates).

Thank for your consideration.

[pedter]

Hi there, thanks for asking for our input.

I'd love to see a tutorial on creating scrolling designs - the classic clean lines and curves - used in corner and page framing elements. Especially how to get the nice curved spirals that have a varing path width. The type you would see on an elegant wedding invitation or menu.


Along the same line - how to make intricate certificate borders (the kind you see on old stock certificates).

Thank for your consideration.

I second that...:)

[GrafxEditor]

Hi there, thanks for asking for our input.

I'd love to see a tutorial on creating scrolling designs - the classic clean lines and curves - used in corner and page framing elements. Especially how to get the nice curved spirals that have a varing path width. The type you would see on an elegant wedding invitation or menu.


Along the same line - how to make intricate certificate borders (the kind you see on old stock certificates).

Thank for your consideration.
Hi there,

Well, your wish has been granted. Cheryl Graham, one of our regular writers, will be writing an article on this topic for the March issue. Thanks, Cheryl, for proactively stepping up to the plate!

Keep the ideas coming ... We want this to be a subscriber-driven newsletter.

Annie

[Paths]

Hi there,

Well, your wish has been granted. Cheryl Graham, one of our regular writers, will be writing an article on this topic for the March issue. Thanks, Cheryl, for proactively stepping up to the plate!

Keep the ideas coming ... We want this to be a subscriber-driven newsletter.

Annie

Thank you! This is fantastic!!!

[GrafxEditor]

Thank you! This is fantastic!!!
You're very welcome. :)

[Rob Onekea]

I would love to see some tutorials on text effects. Not the "over the top" flashy type of text effects, I'm talking the stuff you see every day around town on billboards, posters, etc.

I was teaching my son how to use illustrator and I had him just walk around the house looking for stuff to re-create in Illustrator and he grabbed a Pepsi can.
Instead of just scanning the logo, I attempted (notice I say attempted) to go over it with him. Needless to say it was very fun, but at times a little frustrating being relatively new to Illustrator.

I do alot of text logos myself for one of my clients and I'd love to expand by doing more elaborate text designs.

[GrafxEditor]

I would love to see some tutorials on text effects. Not the "over the top" flashy type of text effects, I'm talking the stuff you see every day around town on billboards, posters, etc.

I was teaching my son how to use illustrator and I had him just walk around the house looking for stuff to re-create in Illustrator and he grabbed a Pepsi can.
Instead of just scanning the logo, I attempted (notice I say attempted) to go over it with him. Needless to say it was very fun, but at times a little frustrating being relatively new to Illustrator.

I do alot of text logos myself for one of my clients and I'd love to expand by doing more elaborate text designs.
Hi Rob,

I'll start canvassing for an article on text designs. Text is really fun to play with in Illustrator.

I'll bet your son will never look at Pepsi cans quite the same again. :)

Take care,
Annie

[rookie]

Hi Annie,

Would love to see some comic book art tuts... can you get Stan Lee? LOL!

[GrafxEditor]

Hi Annie,

Would love to see some comic book art tuts... can you get Stan Lee? LOL!
I don't know about Stan Lee ... However, we do have a tutorial coming on cartoon art in an upcoming issue. At some point I'll see if I can get someone who specifically does comic book art in Illustrator to write a tutorial.

Annie

[rookie]

Think "superheros"... like Dave Cross... ya know!

[rookie]

Hey Annie,

In all seriousness, I REALLY need a tutorial on drawing hair in a photorealistic portrait... big problem area for me.

[UN4GIVEN]

I've been in the comic book biz since 1980...not so much now as I burned out on the monthly grind back in late 2000...I now do a lot of production work for "style guides" in Illustrator...

...this guy http://illcraft.blogspot.com/, Brian Denham is the only person that I know of doing work directly in Illustrator for comic books...I'm sure there are others but I'm only aware of him.

Give him a shout, Annie...maybe he can get to something b4 I can...

-John

[GrafxEditor]

Hey Annie,

In all seriousness, I REALLY need a tutorial on drawing hair in a photorealistic portrait... big problem area for me.
Can you show me an example of what you're referring to?

If ever you don't hear from me in a timely way, please email at acushing@photoshopuser.com. I try to check here regularly for comments, but some weeks are better than others.

Thanks,
Annie

[rookie]

Can you show me an example of what you're referring to?



Hi Annie,

Well a quick look at my gallery and you will see what I mean. Paul Bush has a great tut on his site (I think thats were I saw it) on using gradient mesh for portraits... I learned alot from it, but I just couldn't "get" the hair part... I am a dunce by nature, so I was thinking... maybe another tut specifically talking about rendering hair and eye brows, eye lashes etc... would help me.

Thanks for paying attention to a beginner!

~G~

[GrafxEditor]

Hi Annie,

Well a quick look at my gallery and you will see what I mean. Paul Bush has a great tut on his site (I think thats were I saw it) on using gradient mesh for portraits... I learned alot from it, but I just couldn't "get" the hair part... I am a dunce by nature, so I was thinking... maybe another tut specifically talking about rendering hair and eye brows, eye lashes etc... would help me.

Thanks for paying attention to a beginner!

~G~
I'm working on getting you a tutorial that focuses on hair as we speak. We'll getirdone!

[phenn]

Well a quick look at my gallery and you will see what I mean.

You know what that puts me in mind of? Those old paint with water comics I used to get as a kid. I'm probably dating myself something fierce by even mentioning those. :eek:

However, I do recall that the art work was all dotted with ink as your portrait is.

[rookie]

You know what that puts me in mind of? Those old paint with water comics I used to get as a kid. I'm probably dating myself something fierce by even mentioning those. :eek:

However, I do recall that the art work was all dotted with ink as your portrait is.
Hey Phenn,

Well I'm glad you recognized the "look" I was trying to acheive... spent a lot of time and money... a nickle at a time looking/reading those comics (jeeezzz talk about dating yourself).

~G~

[rookie]

I'm working on getting you a tutorial that focuses on hair as we speak. We'll getirdone!

Okay... this is sickeningly corny... but I look foward to "gettin' hair done"

[GrafxEditor]

Okay... this is sickeningly corny... but I look foward to "gettin' hair done"
LOL :)

Well, your wish has been granted. Scott Weichert is going to write the hair tutorial for the V4N3 issue.

Take care,
Annie

[GrafxEditor]

I've been in the comic book biz since 1980...not so much now as I burned out on the monthly grind back in late 2000...I now do a lot of production work for "style guides" in Illustrator...

...this guy http://illcraft.blogspot.com/, Brian Denham is the only person that I know of doing work directly in Illustrator for comic books...I'm sure there are others but I'm only aware of him.

Give him a shout, Annie...maybe he can get to something b4 I can...

-John
Hi John,

Thanks for the contact. At this point there are no available slots before the issue you're writing for anyway, so we'll just stick w/ the plan.

Thanks,
Annie

[mtrost]

I would like to see ways that professional artists use Illustrator to implement drawing techniques. One of my favorite tutorials was Adding Personality to Your Cartoon Lines by Todd Ferris. It was such an simple idea but one that I never would have thought of on my own.

[daring]

Hi Annie...

I think this is a fantastic idea about getting article suggestions from the subscribers. What a concept!

I can created frames in Photoshop and use Image ready to animate them. I would like to see an article of how that might be done in Illustrator (if it can be done). Bottom line... What would be the way to create animations from within Illustrator and HOW do you do it.

Thanks,
...daring

[hannahstul]

It would be great to see a tutorial on creating grunge brushes in illustrator or for turning sketches into illustrations.

[GrafxEditor]

It would be great to see a tutorial on creating grunge brushes in illustrator or for turning sketches into illustrations.
Hi there,

We actually have a tutorial in our upcoming issue about creating a grunge background using a photo and creating grunge brushes.

As far as your second idea, would you care to expound more? You can email me at acushing@photoshopuser.com for a quicker response.

Thanks!
Annie

[jaybee]

I'm excited to see the article, I have enjoyed so much all four issues, and the web site tutorials. KEEP THE VIDEOS ROLLING!! :)

-jaybee

hisecho.com (http://hisecho.com)
blamelessclothing.com (http://blamelessclothing.com)

[FreeTransform]

I can create frames in Photoshop and use Image ready to animate them. I would like to see an article of how that might be done in Illustrator (if it can be done). Bottom line... What would be the way to create animations from within Illustrator and HOW do you do it.

Poof! Your wish has been granted! I'm doing an article on using Blends and the "Release to Layers" function to create Flash animations. Keep your eyes peeled...

[jaybee]

I am excited to see this article as well :cool:

[pghalex]

How about the definitive Clipping Masks article?

[tcanny]

I'd like to see a tutorial on how to make subtle organic looking textures in Illustrator.

Steve Mack (http://www.illustrationfarm.com/) says he has a special process though I've seen similar work in S.Britts portfolio (http://www.sbritt.com/). Steve Mack says all his stuff is done in Illustrator. I think S.Britt may mix and match with Illustrator and Photoshop. Hopefully this isn't something that only guys named Steve can do. :)

[jfraher]

Hello, Annie. I'd really like to see an article presenting tricks and tips on working with perspective and vanishing points. I recently had to create a number of buildings and found it challenging to keep the lines for the steps, columns, windows, doors, roofs, etc. in proper perspective. At first, I tried making guidelines and following them, but in the end I just went with what looked right for most of it. - Joe

[GrafxEditor]

Hi Annie...

I think this is a fantastic idea about getting article suggestions from the subscribers. What a concept!

I can created frames in Photoshop and use Image ready to animate them. I would like to see an article of how that might be done in Illustrator (if it can be done). Bottom line... What would be the way to create animations from within Illustrator and HOW do you do it.

Thanks,
...daring
Hi Daring,

I just realized that I overlooked your post. Mea culpa. Cheryl Graham saw your post and has offered to cover this in the next issue.

Thanks again, Cheryl!

Annie

[GrafxEditor]

How about the definitive Clipping Masks article?
Hi there,

Is there any particular aspect of working w/ clipping masks you'd like to learn more about? Feel free to email me at acushing@photoshopuser.com.

Thanks!
Annie

[NorCal Chuck]

I am really new here but one thing that I have not seen mentioned . . . and I am still reading to catch up so to speak . . . I am a cast off from FreeHand. I started with that and just went with the flow. Kinda like going from Aldus to Adobe but losing 8 years along the way . . . Now I am trying to catch up and learn illustrator. So this brings me to my request. Could you make reference to what was to what will now be. I find that just learning the vocabulary and making the translation the toughest part.
I hope I am making sense here . . .

[lawtonchiles]

Hi. Thank you for letting the subscribers make the newsletter. I understand that his can be difficult as the editor skills blow away at least my own skills, so thank you for your patience.

I have yet to take a drawing class, and other than flipping through books and scouring the web for ideas and tips, a great how-to on designing logos from scratch would be awesome.

I would need some heavy how-to to go along with that, something along the lines of http://www.bittbox.com, who gives away great tips for vector design and using flourishes in your desings.

It seems that quite a bit of IT is over my head, vs. Photoshop User, which is easier for me to follow since it is photoshop based.

I am trying my best though :) :)
Thanks!

[GrafxEditor]

I am really new here but one thing that I have not seen mentioned . . . and I am still reading to catch up so to speak . . . I am a cast off from FreeHand. I started with that and just went with the flow. Kinda like going from Aldus to Adobe but losing 8 years along the way . . . Now I am trying to catch up and learn illustrator. So this brings me to my request. Could you make reference to what was to what will now be. I find that just learning the vocabulary and making the translation the toughest part.
I hope I am making sense here . . .
Hi there,

Adobe has published two very helpful guides for recovering Freehand users. :) Instead of reinventing the wheel, I think it would be best to refer to to their definitive guides:
Adobe Illustrator CS2: FreeHand to Illustrator Migration Guide
http://www.adobe.com/designcenter/illustrator/articles/illcs2ip_fhillmigr/illcs2ip_fhillmigr.pdf

Migrating from FreeHand to Illustrator: A Technical Resource
http://www.adobe.com/products/illustrator/pdfs/illcs2ip_fhilltech.pdf

The migration concern is actually on our radar. If there are any workarounds that former Freehand users have to learn in Illustrator or other similar growing pains, we'd love to run an article like that delves into those.

Thanks!
Annie

[GrafxEditor]

Hello, Annie. I'd really like to see an article presenting tricks and tips on working with perspective and vanishing points. I recently had to create a number of buildings and found it challenging to keep the lines for the steps, columns, windows, doors, roofs, etc. in proper perspective. At first, I tried making guidelines and following them, but in the end I just went with what looked right for most of it. - Joe
Hi Joe,

If you do a lot of perspective drawing, you may want to consider investing in Hot Door's Perspective 2 plugin (http://www.hotdoor.com/index.html). It's US $179.

If that's not a viable option, you can mark your vanishing point(s) w/ the Pen tool (P), and draw paths that radiate out from that point. Then select them all using your Selection tool (V), and go to View>Guides>Make Guides. Someone else may know of a better method.

I'll see if I can find someone to write an article on how to incorporate perspective in their Illustrator projects. If there's anyone who does a lot of 3D illustrations in Illustrator and would be interested in writing an article on this topic, you can email me at acushing@photoshopuser.com.

Annie

[GrafxEditor]

Hi. Thank you for letting the subscribers make the newsletter. I understand that his can be difficult as the editor skills blow away at least my own skills, so thank you for your patience.

I have yet to take a drawing class, and other than flipping through books and scouring the web for ideas and tips, a great how-to on designing logos from scratch would be awesome.

I would need some heavy how-to to go along with that, something along the lines of http://www.bittbox.com, who gives away great tips for vector design and using flourishes in your desings.

It seems that quite a bit of IT is over my head, vs. Photoshop User, which is easier for me to follow since it is photoshop based.

I am trying my best though :) :)
Thanks!
Okay, I must clarify something right off the bat: I think I can say w/ a high level of certainty that my Illustrator skills do not blow anyone's away. I'm primarily a writer and secondarily a designer ... and I use that term lightly. :) I'm just lucky enough to get to play w/ the program a lot because I get to test all of the publication's tutorials to try to keep them from hovering over anyone's head. (It's definitely a challenge to keep all of the articles suitable to users of all levels in the print publication because of the uncharacteristically high number of advanced users we have.) That's why I try to point to tutorials on our website as much as possible that can help w/ the more rudimentary techniques. (But I just took over the publication last issue, so it's a work in progress.)

As to your request, we have an article in the upcoming issue (at the printers now) on how to draw decorative elements in Illustrator. Cheryl Graham gives some of the basics using two methods. These methods can then be transferred to drawing flourishes and countless other objects. After reading her article, if there's another angle you'd like to see addressed, by all means let me know.

It's really fun to take all of your ideas and canvas articles. At least two articles in this issue (that I can think of off the top of my head) came right from requests from this forum.

Annie

[mdt34]

I work for a magazine and would like to see tips on making graphics, particularly ones with lots of paths and points work better with InDesign. I often can create the look I want, but the file has so many points that rendering it to PDF and then to printing plate is problematic.

Thank you,

Mike