Creating a brush strokes graphic style in Adobe Illustrator is a fantastic way to add a hand-drawn and artistic touch to your designs. Whether you’re working on illustrations, typography, or digital paintings, this style can bring a unique and dynamic element to your artwork. In this article, we’ll lay out the steps to achieve this beautiful effect in Adobe Illustrator.
Step 1: Set up your document
Open Adobe Illustrator and create a new document. Choose the dimensions and color mode that best suit your project. It’s essential to consider the final output of your design when setting up your document.
Step 2: Draw your artwork
Start by drawing or importing your artwork onto the canvas. This could be an illustration, typography, or any other graphic element that you want to apply the brush strokes style to. Ensure that your artwork is on a separate layer so that you can work on the brush strokes without affecting the original design.
Step 3: Select the brush tool
Navigate to the toolbar and select the Brush Tool. You can choose from the various brush options available in the Brush Panel or create your custom brush by clicking on the “New Brush” button.
Step 4: Apply brush strokes
With the Brush Tool selected, begin applying brush strokes to your artwork. Experiment with different stroke weights, opacities, and brush styles to achieve the desired effect. You can use a combination of strokes to create depth and texture in your design.
Step 5: Adjust stroke properties
Once you’ve applied the brush strokes, you can further customize their properties. Use the Stroke panel to adjust the stroke weight, cap, corner, and alignment options. This will help you refine the appearance of the brush strokes to fit your design aesthetic.
Step 6: Utilize the Width Tool
The Width Tool in Adobe Illustrator allows you to create variations in the width of your brush strokes. This tool can be used to add a natural, hand-drawn look to your artwork by adjusting the width of the strokes at different points along the path.
Step 7: Add color and texture
To enhance the brush strokes graphic style, consider adding color and texture to your design. Experiment with different color schemes and use the transparency and blending modes to create a visually interesting composition.
Step 8: Save and export your artwork
Once you’re satisfied with the brush strokes graphic style applied to your design, save your work and export it in the appropriate file format for your project. This could be a high-resolution PNG for digital use or a vector file for printing purposes.
In conclusion, creating a brush strokes graphic style in Adobe Illustrator is a fantastic way to add a hand-crafted and artistic twist to your designs. By following the steps outlined in this article and experimenting with different brush settings, you can achieve stunning and unique results that will elevate your artwork. Whether you’re a designer, illustrator, or digital artist, mastering the brush strokes style in Adobe Illustrator can add depth and character to your creations.
