30 Fresh new Illustrator tutorials from 2016

• April 18th, 2016
• Illustrator

One of the best ways to sharpen your designs skills hands down has to be by doing design tutorials, where you can learn new techniques that can be applied to your designs. This round-up is focused on illustrator, and we have rounded up the very best new illustrator tutorials created in 2016 to produce this tremendous blog post. There’s some great tutorials featured in this compilation, and you’re sure to learn a thing or too whether you’re an illustrator newbie or a veteran user.

Have your created an illustrator tutorial this year or have missed any great tutorials from the compilation please let share below the comments section.

1. How to Create Flat Profession Avatars in Adobe Illustrator

In this tutorial we’ll be making a set of flat-style portraits, depicting people of different professions and occupations. Such images can be used as avatars for social networks or as design elements for your website, depicting various categories. Or you can even draw yourself, using such flat-style portraits for your business card.

2. Create a Toothpaste Text Effect in Adobe Illustrator!

In the following tutorial you will learn how to create a neat toothpaste text effect in Adobe Illustrator using a pattern brush. For starters you will learn how to setup a simple grid and how to build pixel perfect vector shapes using basic tools and the Pathfinder panel. Moving on you will learn how to use a simple script and how to ease your work using the Shape Builder Tool. Next, you’ll learn how to easily and rename two simple patterns and how to create your own pattern brush. Finally, using your pattern brush along with some subtle Drop Shadow effects you will create your text effect.

3. Create vector type with an animal theme

He used geometric shapes and symmetry for the illustrations, a muted palette and use of space to help give a stylised approach to the concept.

4. How to Create Delicious Toast Icons in Adobe Illustrator

First, you will learn how to draw a simple slice of toast followed by the vector bread texture and the toasted look. You will continue with the toppings: the melted butter, the fried egg, the chocolate spread and banana slices. Sounds great? Let’s begin!

5. Round Flat Pub Icon

In the following tutorial you will learn how to create a detailed pub icon in Adobe Illustrator. For starters you will learn how to setup a simple grid and how ease your work using the Snap to Grid feature. Moving on you will learn how to organize and group your shapes and how to create a neat wooden effect using a set of rectangles, the Roughen effect and a simple mask.

6. How to Create a Greyscale Monochrome Vector Portrait in Adobe Illustrator

In today’s tutorial, I’m going to show you how to create a monochrome portrait from a photograph. Today’s subject is the inspiring Aydian Dowling, who has given us permission to use one of his photos for this tutorial.

7. Create a Set of Simple Line Icons in 20 Minutes or Less!

Create colorful simple line icons from basic shapes for a cool, cartoony vibe to your content!

8. How to Create a Chalkboard in Adobe Illustrator

In this tutorial I’ll show you how to create a Chalkboard in Adobe Illustrator. We will use the basic tools, some vector shape building techniques along with some gradients and effects to achieve the final. The tutorial is relatively simple and can be applied to many other Illustrator projects.

9. Illustrator Special Effects: Cloud and Grass Background

After studying this cloud and grass tutorial, you will learn many useful and necessary techniques that will help you to create an eye-appealing wallpaper quickly and effectively. We’ll cover on how to use shapes and gradients to achieve a simple landscape environment.

10. How to Create a Cute Spring Rabbit in Adobe Illustrator

Believe it or not, spring is almost upon us! In this tutorial, you will learn how to create an adorable rabbit delivering a bouquet of tulips just using basic shapes. You’ll also learn to recolor the flowers in one easy step. Once you finish, you will have a lovely spring illustration on your art board.

11. Create a Bright and Fun Plastic Text Effect with Graphic Styles

Keep things candy-like and bright with this plastic text effect treatment tutorial! We’ll create a fantastic graphic style and easily transform it into a completed text design.

12. How to Create a 3D Pie Chart Design in Adobe Illustrator

In the following steps you will learn how to create a detailed 3D pie chart design in Adobe Illustrator.

13. Create A Four Leaf Clover Vector for St. Patrick’s Day

In celebration of St. Patricks Day, I wanted to do a four leaf clover vector tutorial. Some of you might not celebrate St. Patricks Day or have no use for a four-leaf clover, but still take a look at this tutorial. This tutorial combines some good techniques. You will Divide, Transform, and add Warping Effects. These techniques will help you quickly and easily create with Illustrator!

14. How to Create a Bird’s-Eye View of Retro Cars in Adobe Illustrator

Everyone feels a certain passion for retro style! Those extraordinary clothes, those fancy hairdos, the music and, of course, the cars! In this tutorial we’ll combine our love for the 50s, cinematography and games, creating a crazy mix. We’ll make an aerial view of a stylized Greased Lightning retro car, using basic shapes, various types of gradients and blending modes, working with the Pathfinder panel and other functions of Adobe Illustrator.

15. On the Hunt for an Easter Egg Vector? Learn to Make Your Own!

In the following Easter egg vector tutorial you will learn how to create a detailed Easter egg illustration in Adobe Illustrator. In the first steps you will learn how to set up a simple grid and how to save a simple symbol. Taking full advantage of the Snap to Grid feature and using basic vector shape building techniques you will learn how to create your main shapes. Next, you’ll learn how to add a complex 3D Revolve effect. Moving on you’ll add shading and highlights using basic blending techniques and a bunch of simple effects. Finally, you will learn how to add a simple background.

16. Geometric Collage using Illustrator & Photoshop

In today’s video tutorial you’re going to combine the powers of Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop to produce a trendy geometric photo collage. This style of artwork has a somewhat retro vibe and it’s the kind of art you would see on album covers or as a series of abstract poster prints. We’ll be using Illustrator for its powerful shape building tools to construct a geometric vector pattern, then we’ll transfer the artwork over to Photoshop to use the image editing tools to digitally cut and paste snippings of a photograph into a cool looking collage.

17. Cute character art techniques

For this masterclass, Meni reveals how she created the character above from initial sketch through to working in Adobe Illustrator. The initial sketch is included as a download for you to work along with. The masterclass draws on vector art skills, exploring the power of various stroke techniques.

18. How to Create Wrapped Candy in Adobe Illustrator

In this new tutorial you will learn how to create colorful wrapped candy in Adobe Illustrator.

19. How to Create Cartoon Style Vector Burger

Watching the trends on the market, I have noticed that cartoon style vector images are becoming more and more popular. This is a slight modification on a classic, with a moderate use of gradient fills. In this tutorial, which was created in collaboration with a professional illustrator, Alexander Onica, we will share the secrets of creating modern cartoon style vectors. Many effective techniques described here will allow you to achieve excellent results.

20. How to create a Realistic Cell Phone

In this tutorial, you will learn how to create a realistic cell phone by using simple shapes and gradients. I will show you working with the Align, the Pathfinder and the Stroke palettes along with the blending objects to reach our last result.

21. Skills Radar Chart

In the following tutorial you will learn how to create a sleek radar chart in Adobe Photoshop. For starters you will learn how to setup a simple grid and how to create a set of concentric hexagons using basic tool and vector shape building techniques. Moving on, you will learn how to create smart objects, how to take full advantage of layer styles and how to use blending modes. Finally, you will find out how to save and use a simple pattern and how to create a blurry background.

22. How to Create a Set of Fitness Icons in Adobe Illustrator

In this tutorial we’ll be creating fitness icons, depicting the items which are well-known by both beginners and advanced level athletes. These are a fitball, a dumbbell and weight scales. Let’s make them one by one, starting with the fitball icon.

23. How to Create a Pearl Brush from Gradient Meshes in Adobe Illustrator

In You will learn how to control transparency of gradient meshes with the help of blending modes, and by adjusting color transition between mesh points and changing its opacity, create a pearl brush. Moreover after reading this tutorial, you’ll be able to create Illustrator brushes from gradient meshes of any difficulty with the help of free Mesh Tormentor plug-in.

24. How to Create Watercolor Brushes in AI

You’ll show you how to transform that art – specifically our watercolors – into AI brushes. Follow along to create your own and make sure to pick up our brand new Watercolor Illustrator Brush Pack while you’re at it!

25. How to create a Paper Knife

In this tutorial you will learn how to create a paper knife in Adobe Illustrator. We’ll be using basic shapes and playing around with the Pathfinder palette, blend objects, the Offset Path along with some basic effects.

26. How to Create a Character Kit in Adobe Illustrator

This new tutorial is quite unique—unlike the other tutorials we’ve done in the past, this one is more like a game. First we will create many different elements of character design from scratch, and then we will use these elements to create different characters. I promise you that you will have lots of fun combining different parts together and experiencing the excitement of creating various characters.

27. How to create a Light Bulb

In this tutorial, I’m going to show you how I create a light bulb in Adobe Illustrator. Most of the time, we’ll be using the Pen tool, so this is great practice for those struggling with drawing freehand. We’ll also use numerous techniques and effects to create this illustration. Follow the steps below and you will easily see the steps in getting the light bulb that you need.

28. How to Design a Retro Poster in Adobe Illustrator

In this tutorial, you’ll be using a variety of tools in Illustrator (including the Pen, Pencil, and Pathfinder tools, among others) to create easy vector illustrations. We’ll also modify some stylish typefaces to complete our design.

29. How to Create a Gorgeous Metallic Text Effect – Adobe Illustrator Tutorial

Get luxurious with this gorgeous metallic text effect. Create something fit for a king with 3D effects, gradients, and a patterned background in well under an hour.

30. How To Create Circular Patterns with the Blend Tool in Adobe Illustrator

Get luxurious with this gorgeous metallic text effect. Create something fit for a king with 3D effects, gradients, and a patterned background in well under an hour.