Intro to Brushes

Copy Illustrator Template

1. Go to the Texture with Brushes Illustrator Template

2. If you aren't already signed in to Adobe, click "Sign in" in the top right corner.

3. Click "Copy to Files"

4. Open the Creative Cloud desktop app.

5. Right-click on the file and click "Rename"

   • "Last Name, Texture with Brushes"

6. Right-click and click "Open"

7. Adjust your workspace (go to "Window" > "Workspace" > "Essentials Classic")

Select the Paintbrush Tool

In the left toolbar, click the "Paintbrush Tool" (or click "B" on your keyboard).

Learn about Automatic Brushes

When you open the Brushes panel, 10 brushes will automatically be available for you to choose from. They are different types of brushes. Learn about the different types of brushes below.

The "Basic" line option is actually not a brush and if you click on it then try to draw with the paintbrush tool, it won't work. However, you can draw with another brush and then choose the "Basic" line option to get rid of the brush.

Learn about Different Brush Types

Illustrator categorizes brushes into 5 categories:

• Art brushes: Stretch a brush shape or object shape evenly along the length of the path.

• Bristle brush: Create brush strokes with the appearance of a natural brush.

• Calligraphic brushes: Resemble drawing with a calligraphy pen (drawn along the center of the path).

• Pattern brushes: Paint a pattern—made of individual tiles—that repeats along the path.

• Scatter brushes: Disperse copies of an object along the path.

Try the Calligraphic Brushes

1. Choose and click one of the 6 calligraphic brushes in the top row.

2. Then using your "Paintbrush Tool" draw a loop on your artboard.

3. Repeat this until you have tried all 6 calligraphic brushes in the top row.

Try the Art Brushes

1. Click on the brush in the third row (looks like charcoal or chalk).

2. Using your "Paintbrush Tool" draw something.

3. Click on the brush in the fourth row (with orange loops and arrows).

4. Using your "Paintbrush Tool" draw something.

Try the Bristle Brush

1. Click on the brush in the fifth row (with the paintbrush tip, "6.00" and light gray curvey line).

2. Using your "Paintbrush Tool" draw something.

Try the Pattern Brush

1. Click on the brush in the last/sixth row (looks like a road).

2. Using your "Paintbrush Tool" draw something.