20 Exceptional Websites for Learning Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Illustrator is the industry-standard when it comes to scalable vector artwork. As a designer, Illustrator is the right tool for graphics that need to be scaled. A prime example are logos which often need to be adapted for small mediums such as business cards, larger mediums like billboard signs, and converted to grayscale or black and white for mediums such as newspapers.

In this collection, you’ll find 20 excellent websites and blogs that provide high-quality tutorials and information on vector illustration and Adobe Illustrator.

1. Vectips

Vectips is a blog about Adobe Illustrator tips, tricks, and tutorials. It’s run by Ryan Putnam, a talented illustrator/designer, and an exclusive artist at iStockphoto. You can also find interviews of professional designers and excellent monthly roundups of Illustrator resources on Vectips.

Tutorial examples

• Create Sketchy-Style Vectors
• Create Abstract Backgrounds in Illustrator
• Creating Halftone Effects in Illustrator

2. Blog.SpoonGraphics

Blog.SpoonGraphics is the personal weblog of talented Graphic/Web Designer, Chris Spooner. He writes about design-related topics, and his tutorials are renowned as useful and top-notch. Check out the Tutorial section to quickly find Illustrator-related tutorials.

Tutorial examples

• Create a Cute Vector Monster from a Pencil Sketch
• Logo Design Project Step by Step Walkthrough
• How to Create a Vector Safari Compass in Illustrator
• An Illustrators Project from Start to Finish
• How to Create Stunning and Bold 3D Text
• Ruby On Rails Installation
• 80 Examples of Add-to-Cart Buttons for Inspiration

3. Envato Tuts+

VECTORTUTS is a blog and tutorial website on Illustrator and vector illustration. It’s one of the more recent additions to “TUTS” network which include NETTUTS, PSDTUTS, and AUDIOTUTS. You’ll find high-quality, detailed tutorials on vector illustration as well as excellent roundups.

Tutorial examples

• Create a Vibrant 3D Pixel Type Treatment
• Illustrator’s Type Tool: A Comprehensive Introduction
• Methods for Creating Random Vector Noise

4. Veerle’s blog

Veerle’s blog, written by  Veerle Pieters, a reknowned Belgian graphic/web designer, posts top-notch tutorials on Illustrator. Check out her Tutorials category archive and Photoshop-Illustrator category archive to quickly find Adobe Illustrator-related posts.

Tutorial examples

• Creating simple Art Brushes in Illustrator
• Command shape in Illustrator
• Recolor artwork using Illustrator’s LiveColor

5. GoMediaZine

GoMediaZine is a website by art and graphic design professionals. They have a growing section of top-notch Adobe Illustator tutorials. Besides quality Illustrator tutorials, they also have a Freebie section where you can obtain free vector artwork.

Tutorial examples

• A Pseudo-Sugar Skull: From Start to Finish.
• From Sketch to Vector Illustration
• Intricate Patterns in Illustrator

6. N.Design Studio

N.Design Studio is freelance illustrator/web designer’s Nick La’s design blog and portfolio. One of the most popular sections of N.Design studio is Illustrator Tutorials section that hosts high-quality, detailed Adobe Illustrator tutorials.

Tutorial examples

• Illustrator CS2 Splash
• Drawing Face
• Halloween Pumpkin

7. Vectordiary

Vectordiary is Tony Soh’s blog on vector Illustration. You can find wonderful tips, tricks, and tutorials pertaining to vector illustration. Check out the Illustrator category to go directly to Illustrator-specific blog posts.

Tutorial examples

• Learn Illustrator CS3 in 30 Days
• Illustrator tutorial: The Perfect Diamond
• Illustrator Tutorial: Wire Fence

8. Layers Magazine

Layers Magazine is a magazine dedicated to Adobe products (such as Illustrator, Photoshop, and Dreamweaver). The Adobe Illustrator Tutorials section has plenty of online tutorials to help you learn more about Illustrator.

Tutorial examples

• Swingin’ Retro Look in Adobe Illustrator
• Blueprint-Style Text in Adobe Illustrator
• Imitating A Scanner Darkly in Adobe Illustrator

9. Computer Arts – Tutorials

The Computer Arts Tutorials section of the highly-popular Computer Arts magazine has plenty of first-class arts and graphic design tutorials. The section has over 500 professionally-written tutorials, many of them involving Adobe Illustrator.

Tutorial examples

• Creating trees in Illustrator
• Retro car vectors
• Ornate lettering

10. FreeTransform

FreeTransform (referring to Illustrator’s Free Transform tool) is a blog by Illustrator and tutorial writer Cheryl Graham that covers Adobe Illustrator Topics. Check out the Tutorials and Quick Tips section for handy lessons on Illustrator.

Tutorial Examples

• Tutorial: make texture without leaving Illustrator
• Tutorial: A Gradient Brush?
• Tutorial: Transform, Style, Blend

11. Illustrator Design Center

Adobe’s Illustrator Design Center is the company’s section dedicated to Adobe Illustrator. You’ll find a variety of information, guides, and tutorials straight from the creators of Illustrator and from first-rate professional illustration and design artists.

Tutorial examples

• Creating scatter brushes in Illustrator
• Using Live Trace and Live Paint
• Working with Transparencies in Illustrator

12. Kevin Hulsey Illustration

Kevin Hulsey’s tutorial site is dedicated to sharing useful computer graphics tutorials and resources. The Adobe Illustrator tutorials are split into three categories: Basic, Advanced, and Tool tips and tricks.

Tutorial examples

• Drawing Gears in Adobe Illustrator
• Cutaway Car Illustration
• Hex-Head Bolts and Fasteners in Adobe Illustrator

13. IllustratorWorld

IllustratorWorld is a leading website for vector art and vector illustration software. It has a large community, so if you want to talk to illustrators and designers, check out the IllustratorWorld forums.

Tutorial examples

• The Importance of Layers
• Fun with AI’s 3D tool
• January eMag

14. BittBox

BittBox is a blog by talented designer Jay Hilgert. Jay Hilgert provides tons of freebie design resources and writes quality vector illustration tutorials and helpful Illustrator workflow tips.

Tutorial examples

• Illustrator Tutorial: How To Make 3D Vector Vintage Stars
• Fun with Illustrator’s Blend Tool
• How to Make Vector Grunge

15. AiVault

AiVault (Ai is the Adobe Illustrator file extension) is a website dedicated to sharing resources, tips, tricks, and tutorials on Adobe Illustrator and vectors. For those seeking Adobe Illustrator tutorials, check out the Ai Tutorials section.

Tutorial examples

• Tutorial: An intro to mesh tool
• Know Thy Workspace
• Create a Cool Air Balloon Wallpaper

16. IllustrationClass

IllustrationClass is a website about illustration. The tutorial section has over 60 brilliant tutorials that you can download (they come with the source file and the tutorial).

Tutorial examples

• Pop Art Illustration
• Tango – Illustrative Icons
• Symmetrical Illustration: Thug Bunny!

17. PinkZAP

PinkZAP is dedicated to providing free Illustrator and Photoshop tutorials (as well as other design-related tutorials). Check out the Illustrator category to find articles speficially related to Adobe Illustrator.

Tutorial examples

• Drawing a character’s face in Illustrator
• How to Make Unique Swirl Graphics
• Draw a Koi Fish

18. CreativePro

CreativePro is a website for professional creatives. The CreativePro Illustration section provides many helpful tips and tutorials on Adobe Illustrator, as well as relevant news and reviews on the topic of Illustration. Check out the How-to’s section to go directly to the tutorials.

Tutorial examples

• Round Corners Quickly in Illustrator
• Add Strokes to Placed Images in Illustrator
• Illustrator How-to: Why the Appearance Panel Rocks

19. Illustrator Tutorials at Designer Today

Designer Today is a graphic design magazine and tutorial resource for designers. The Illustrator Tutorials section has plenty of useful and top-notch tutorials.

Tutorial examples

• Cityscape – Illustrator CS3 Tutorial
• 3D Logo – Illustrator CS3 Tutorial
• Abstract Background Path – Illustrator CS3 Tutorial

20. AiBURN

AiBURN is a website dedicated to discussing current art and design trends. The site is run by Sean Hodge, editor of PSDTUTS. AiBurn also has excellent web roundups that contain top-notch resources from around the web.

Tutorial examples

• Building a Website Wireframe in Illustrator
• Draw Your Self Portrait
• Design a Business Report Cover

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