Illustrator is a difficult program to just jump into. I think of illustrator as being a really complex board game, that takes a few rounds to understand. The first time you play it, the "game" can be frustrating and confusing, but as soon as you learn all the rules, the challenges become very fun and rewarding.
To start us in Illustrator, I start with the easiest tool the brush tool. Now you may be thinking, "GIRL, this is Basic!" But the truth is, illustrator can be frustrating, and students can get so frustrated with the other tools they will give up before they get to them. So I give them a pretty involved tracing project first and allow them to immerse themselves in just learning the capabilities of the brush tool.
Steps:
1. Choose an image, preferably one you took
2. Place it in illustrator
3. Add a new layer on top of the image
4. lock the layer your image is one so you don't accidentally move it, or draw on it.
5. Trace your image
6. Add a new layer under your "line layer"
7. Add a shade of gray or minimal color to your image to add interest and depth.
8. Esport as screen, save and a jpg
This was the first time I taught illustrator, that I had students state they enjoyed it. Every other time I get almost tearful reactions, of "illustrator is the worst."
Here are a few student examples. Enjoy!
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