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Writer's pictureReilly Moss

How to get started in Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Illustrator is a powerful tool for creating vector illustrations that can be used for a variety of purposes, including graphic design, web design, and print media.

Vector illustrations are extremely beneficial for designers and artists alike due to a variety of reasons, including:

  1. Scalability: Vector graphics can be scaled up or down without losing quality because they are resolution-independent. Therefore, they are perfect to use in a range of sizes, from small icons to large billboards.

  2. Clarity: Vector graphics are excellent for producing high-quality artwork because they contain precise, clean lines and curves.

  3. Editability: Vector graphics are ideal for generating intricate patterns and illustrations since they are made up of individual objects and paths that can be easily changed.

  4. Consistency: Vector graphics maintain their quality and appearance across a variety of platforms and devices since they are produced using mathematical equations rather than pixels.

  5. Versatility: Vector graphics are a versatile option for designers since they can be used in a multitude of applications, such as print media and web design.

Now that you know the pros of creating vector illustrations, below are some basic steps to help you get started creating graphics in Adobe Illustrator.


Step 1: Set up your document


Open Adobe Illustrator and create a new document in the size and resolution that matches your intended use. For instance, if you are creating an illustration for an Instagram Story, the best size would be 1080 by 1920 pixels. See the guide below from Hootsuite depicting the Social Media Image Sizes for 2023.

Step 2: Choose your Illustrator tools


In the toolbar on the left side of the Adobe Illustrator screen, choose the tools you want to use to create your illustration. Some of the most commonly used tools include the Pen Tool, the Shape Tool, and the Text Tool.


Types of Illustrator Tools:

  • Selection Tool: Used for selecting, moving, and resizing objects.

  • Direct Selection Tool: Used for selecting and manipulating individual anchor points of a shape.

  • Pen Tool: Used for creating vector paths and shapes by clicking to add anchor points and dragging to create curves.

  • Type Tool: Used for adding text to your artwork.

  • Shape Tools: Including Rectangle, Ellipse, and Polygon tools, used for quickly creating basic shapes.

  • Line Segment Tool: Used for creating straight lines.

  • Paintbrush Tool: Used for creating freehand strokes and paths.

  • Blob Brush Tool: Used for creating freeform, paint-like strokes.

  • Eyedropper Tool: Used for picking up and applying colors from your artwork.

  • Gradient Tool: Used for creating and editing gradients.

  • Eraser Tool: Used for erasing portions of your artwork.

  • Zoom Tool: Used for zooming in and out of your artwork.

Adobe Illustrator Dashboard with arrow pointing at tool bar on left side.
Adobe Illustrator Dashboard Depicting the Tool Bar

Step 3: Start drawing


Using the tools you've chosen, begin drawing your illustration. You can create shapes, lines, and curves using the Pen Tool, and you can fill those shapes with colors or patterns using the Fill Tool. Use the Selection Tool to move and resize objects as needed. I prefer sketching out my design in advance using pen and paper and then uploading a photo of my sketch to Illustrator (see below).

Adobe Illustrator Dashboard with turtle sketch by Reilly Moss
Adobe Illustrator Dashboard with Sea Turtle Sketch by Reilly Moss

Step 4: Add detail


Once you have the basic shapes and outlines of your illustration, you can begin adding detail. Use the Pen Tool to add more lines and curves, and experiment with different stroke widths and colors to create depth and dimension.

Adobe Illustrator Dashboard with turtle vector illustration and tools on left-hand side.
Adobe Illustrator Dashboard with Colored Sea Turtle Illustration by Reilly Moss.

Step 5: Work with layers


To keep your illustration organized and easy to edit, use layers to separate different elements. Create a new layer for each part of your illustration, such as the background, the main subject, and any text or other elements you want to add. This will save you from a lot of headaches down the line!


Step 6: Save and export


Once you're happy with your vector illustration, save your file in Illustrator format (.ai) so you can make changes and edits later if needed. You can also export your illustration in a variety of other formats, such as JPEG or PNG, for use in other applications or for printing.


Ta-da! Now you have a finished vector illustration.

Turtle Vector Illustration by Reilly Moss.
Final Sea Turtle Vector Illustration by Reilly Moss.

Looking for a simple, easy-to-follow video tutorial?


Dom Designs does an excellent job going over how to create a vector pizza illustration in Adobe Illustrator. Check out this awesome video tutorial below!


Key Point: While there is definitely a learning curve when it comes to working with any new software, creating vector illustrations in Adobe Illustrator is a great way to create high-quality, scalable graphics for a variety of purposes. By following these basic steps and experimenting with different tools and techniques, you can create beautiful, professional-looking illustrations.


Have you used Adobe Illustrator before? Have any helpful tips on how to create vector illustrations? Please let us know in the comments.


Thank you for reading!

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