Intermediate / Advanced Adobe Illustrator Using The Illustrator 9 Wow! Book as the Primary Text As a Three-day Seminar & As a Six / Eight-session Class Fourth version prepared by Sharon Steuer (with Lisa Jackmore) Please freely distribute these materials, but do not publish without express permission. We welcome your input for developing this and other course materials. If possible, please e-mail feedback to Sharon Steuer at: wowartist@bigfoot.com or to: Sharon Steuer c/o Peachpit Press 1249 8th Street Berkeley, CA 94710 Requests for bulk orders of pre-paid books can also be made to wowartist@bigfoot.com, or directly to Peachpit Press at 800 / 283-9444
Three Day Seminar: The Illustrator 9 Wow! Book Intermediate / Advanced Adobe Illustrator Using The Illustrator 9 Wow! Book as the Primary Text (As a Three-Day Seminar) Main Goal: Learn the logic of Adobe Illustrator: Memorize only the essentials. DAY 1 (morning) Scan and trace using Templates with the Pen tool (Chapter 5, p132-133) Scan and trace using layers, including making, naming, hiding, locking with the Pencil tool (Chapter 5, p124-130,134-135) Organizing layers; managing custom layers and sublayers (Chapter 5, p138-143) Object vs. Layer Masks (Chapter 9, p250-254) Saving a 1-bit Photoshop EPS with Transparent Whites, then painting underneath with colors in Illustrator (Chapter 5, p136-137) Look at Preferences, set Undos; changing cursor-keys, drawing angles, Ruler units, Smart Guides (Chapter 1, p21-26) (Chapter 3, p70-73) 2
Three Day Seminar: The Illustrator 9 Wow! Book DAY 1 (afternoon) Work with the Geometric tools and Free Transform tool (Chapter 1, p10, 18-21)(Chapter 3, p84-85) Create and use a custom Perspective Grid (Chapter 5, p150-151) Create multiple documents in registration with Paste Remembers Layers / Paste in Front (Chapter 5, p146-147) In a more beginning class, proceed with the following, and tell students to review overnight. For a more advanced class, the following would be given as an assignment for overnight more advanced students would get to Isometric, others wouldn t. Master Bézier Curves (Chapter 1, p6-9 use Zen Lessons on disk) Practice the Finger Dance (Chapter 2, p50-57) Using Basic construction tools (Chapter 2, p38-43) Work with all transformation tools and the Transform palette (Chapter 1, p18-20, Chapter 2, p46-49) Create and assemble using Isometric Perspective (Chapter 3, p70-73) For those who desire additional Pen Tool exercises refer to the online seminar, Zen of the Pen:De-mystifying Bézier Curves in Illustrator, by Sharon Steuer and Pattie Belle Hastings at www.zenofthepen.org 3
Three Day Seminar: The Illustrator 9 Wow! Book DAY 2 (morning) Desktop Color and Palettes (Chapter 1, p 13-14, 27-30, Chapter 3, p60-65) Organizing Colors, Styles (Chapter 3, p74-77) Simple Patterns (look at the Adobe patterns on their CD-ROM) Creating Repeating Patterns (Chapter 3, p81-83, Chapter 9, p276-277) Line Styles and Basic Brush Creation (Chapter 3, p60-62, Chapter 4, p94-95) Special Brushes Supplement: Chapter 4, p118-121 Custom Views (Chapter 5, p144-145) Create volume and light with Gradients, play with simple Gradient mesh (look at p208) (Chapter 7, p186-187, 200-203,205, Chapter 9, p270-273; show with simple cubes and cylinders, Chapter 7, p185) 4
Three Day Seminar: The Illustrator 9 Wow! Book DAY 2 (afternoon) Basic Blends from one object and or color to another (Chapter 7, p182 193, 204) Blends along a path by editing and by replacing the spine (Chapter 7, p183 184) Blends to create airbrushed look (Chapter 7, p194-195) Place Type on a curve on top and bottom (Chapter 6, p157) Converting type to outlines for Gradients, and Masking (Chapter 6, p158, 159,166-167) Experiment with Pathfinder filters (Chapter 3, p86-87) Making and Applying Appearances (Chapter 8, p232-233) Styles; applying object level effects and saving as styles, Scratchboard Art (Chapter 8, p222, 236-237, 234-235) Basic Masking of Blends (Chapter 9, p256-258) Homework: Review, and experiment with, blends, gradients and masked blends. See the Blends folder on the Wow! disk for suggestions on simple blends from one group of objects to another (see p184 for a print example). For those wanting more, creating a complex repeating pattern (Chapter 3, p81-83); Look through Chapter 7. 5
Three Day Seminar: The Illustrator 9 Wow! Book DAY 3 (morning) Review masking blends Brushes in more detail (Calligraphy and Natural Art Brushes,Scatter and Pattern Brushes) (Chapter 4, p96-99,100, 107,102,103-105,110,111) Creative Brushes and Pen & Ink (Chapter 4, p116-117) More about Gradient Mesh, editing and coloring to show realistic light (Chapter 7, p185, 206-211) Basic Transparency, blending modes, opacity, tinting a scan using transparency effects,gradient Mesh and Opacity Mask. (Chapter 8, p214-218,224,225,240-241,244-245) Using Blends to make transparent highlights (Chapter 8, p230-231) Integrate a Photoshop element, discuss benefits / disadvantages of various formats, placing EPS vs imbedding a TIFF through placing, or drag and drop (Chapter 10. See Format Tech Help.pdf / Formats.pdf on the Wow! disk) Open, Place, Paste, Drag and Drop an Illustrator element into Photoshop (Chapter 10) Trapping Issues(Chapter 1, p28, Chapter 3, p78) Websafe Colors, File Formats (Chapter 11), Actions (Chapter 1, p26-27) Remainder of the afternoon for questions and reviewing. 6
Intermediate / Advanced Adobe Illustrator Using The Illustrator 9 Wow! Book as the Primary Text (As a Six-Session Day or Evening Class with Two Additional Optional Days) Main Goal: Learn the logic of Adobe Illustrator: Memorize only the essentials. SESSION 1 Scan and trace using Templates with the Pen tool (Chapter 5, p132-133) Scan and trace using layers, including making, naming, hiding, locking with the Pencil tool (Chapter 5, p124-130,134-135) Organizing layers; managing custom layers and sublayers (Chapter 5, p138-143) Object vs. Layer Masks (Chapter 9, p250-254) Saving a 1-bit Photoshop or copy and paste EPS with Transparent Whites, then painting underneath with colors in Illustrator (Chapter 5, p136-137) Look at Preferences, set Undos; changing cursor-keys, drawing angles, Ruler units, Smart Guides (Chapter 1, p21-26, Chapter 3, p70-73) Homework: Create two or three files that demonstrate the effects using the day s exercises. You do not have to choose all the effects, just the ones that would work with your type of techniques. 7
SESSION 2 In a more beginning class, proceed with the following. You may not get to the Isometrics. For a more advanced class, briefly review the Bézier Curves, Finger Dance and Transformation tools. Concentrate on the Isometric Exercise, and Changing the Constrain Angle. Master Bézier Curves (Chapter 1, p6-9 use Zen Lessons on disk) Practice the Finger Dance (Chapter 2, p50-57) Using Basic construction tools (Chapter 2, p38-43) Work with the Geometric tools and Free Transform tool (Chapter 1, p10,18-21)(chapter 3, p84-85) Master all transformation tools and the Transform palette (Chapter 1, p18-20) (Chapter 2, p46-49) Create and assemble using Isometric Perspective (Chapter 3, p70-73) Homework: Trace the maze in Zen Lessons. Create a file that shows the different transformation tools. Or use the Isometric Exercise to create a 3-dimensional environment or a package design. 8
SESSION 3 Review Béziers, Transformations Create and use a custom Perspective Grid (Chapter 5, p150-151) Create multiple documents in registration with Paste Remembers Layers / Paste in Front (Chapter 5, p146-147) Redo the transformation tools with a change of Constrain Angle (with and without patterns in the objects) (Chapter 1, p18-20, Chapter 2, p46-49) Homework: Create a file that shows the different transformation tools. Or use the Isometric Exercise to create a 3-dimensional environment or a package design. 9
SESSION 4 Desktop Color and Palettes (Chapter 1, p13-14, 27-30)(Chapter 3, p60-65) Organizing Colors, Styles (warning about Color Output Issues) (Chapter 3, p74-77) Simple Patterns (look at the Adobe patterns on their CD-ROM) Creating Repeating Patterns (Chapter 3, p81-83, Chapter 9, p276-277) Line Styles and Basic Brush Creation (Chapter 3, p60-62,chapter 4,p94-95) Special Brushes Supplement: Chapter 4, p118-121) Custom Views (Chapter 5, p144-145) Create volume and light with Gradients, play with simple Gradient mesh (look at p208) (Chapter 7, p186-187, 200-203, 205, Chapter 9 p270-273; show with simple cubes and cylinders, Chapter 7, p185) Homework: Assignment to review and experiment with gradients for those wanting more, create a complex repeating pattern.(chapter 3, p80-83). 10
SESSION 5 Basic Blends from one object and or color to another (Chapter 7, p182-193, 204) Blends along a path by editing and by replacing the spine (Chapter 7, p183-184) Blends to create airbrushed look (Chapter 7, p194-195) Experiment with Pathfinder filters (Chapter 3,p86-87) Homework: Assignment to review and experiment with blends, gradients and masked blends. See the Blends folder on the Wow! disk for suggestions on simple blends from one group of objects to another (see p184 for a print example). Look through Chapter 7. 11
SESSION 6 Place Type on a curve on top and bottom (Chapter 6, p157) Converting type to outlines for Gradients, and Masking (Chapter 6, p158,159,166-167) Basic Masking of Blends (Chapter 9, p256-258) Homework: Create a file that demonstrates how type can be manipulated into type on a curve, as a mask, and with gradients. If you have used type in any of the previous exercises, go back and refine your work using the techniques you have learned here. 12
SESSION 7 (Optional) Review Basic Masking of Blends (Chapter 9, p256-258) Making and Applying Appearances (Chapter 8, p232-233) Styles; applying object level effects and saving as styles, Scratchboard Art (Chapter 8, p222, 236-237, 234-235) More about Gradient Mesh and coloring to show realistic light (Chapter 7, p185, 206-211) 13
SESSION 8 (Optional) Brushes in more detail (Calligraphy and Natural Art Brushes, Scatter and Pattern Brushes) (Chapter 4, p96-99,100,107,102,103-105,110,111) Creative Brushes and Pen & Ink (Chapter 4, p116-117) Basic Transparency, blending modes, opacity, tinting a scan using transparency effects,gradient Mesh and Opacity Mask. (Chapter 8, p214-218,224,225,240-241,244-245) Using Blends to make transparent highlights (Chapter 8, p230-231) Integrate a Photoshop element, discuss benefits / disadvantages of various formats, placing EPS vs imbedding a TIFF through placing, or drag and drop (Chapter 10. See Format Tech Help.pdf / Formats.pdf on the Wow! disk) Questions and Review: Bring in any of your own files or printed materials for analysis of how they might be created using any of the techniques covered in the class. 14
New online seminars and workshops with Sharon Steuer! Now available! Universal Zen Pen: De-mystifying Bézier Curves in Illustrator, Photoshop, Fireworks4+, InDesign, and Freehand by Sharon Steuer and Pattie Belle Hastings The Zen of the Pen seminar is now available online. Through a series of critically acclaimed exercises first published in The Illustrator Wow! Books (Peachpit Press), The Zen of the Pen exercises are newly revised and animated in QuickTime! Get past those time-consuming work-arounds and sub-par S curves and finally learn to use that darn Pen tool. The Zen of the Pen exercises guide you through all facets of Bézier object creation and editing. You ll be analyzing and executing corners and curves without even looking at the keyboard! Isn t it time you became one with the Pen? Progress from Pen-phobic to Zen-master with the Zen of the Pen online seminar. Learn to master the Bézier Pen tool that s found in all the most popular image and web programs today. Compare similarities and differences between the applications via Quicktime demonstrations and step by step exercises. The Universal Zen Pen workshop will expand your mastery of the Pen tool beyond this galaxy. The Zen of the Pen seminars can be found online at www.zenofthepen.org click-drag ❶ ❷ 2a first click-drag to complete curve ❸ 2b then, go back to last point & option-click-drag to pull out a new direction line, DRAGGING in the direction of the new curve. 3ab repeat, steps for 2ab click-drag to pull out direction line, then option-click-drag to pull out a new direction line