Vector Masks Collection

A pack of 11 free ancient culture masks illustrations in vector format by vrocker. Inside you will also find an illustration of two Rapa Nui Statues...

The pack is fully customizable with Adobe Illustrator. Scroll down for a detailed preview 

Note: To use, decompress the *.rar file with WinRar or StuffIt (Mac Os). Download RAR

Vector Ink Splatters

A set of vector 20 splatter shapes for Adobe Illustrator from Flamart. You can use them for creating a grungy atmosphere in your digital artwork, quickly draw ink drops or design a background texture...

The pack contains an EPS file format version so you can use this resource with other vector editors. Download

Understanding CMYK print production

"With an understanding of how CMYK printing techniques can be combined, Rodney Dive explains how to overcome some common design problems and increase final output quality.

When you send a document to an output bureau or the printers, it goes through a number of processes during the transformation from its digital form into printed matter." Full article

Article: Computer Arts; Image: genctel.com

Halloween Pumpkin tutorial for Adobe Illustrator

OK, let's bring some Halloween mood in the blog. Learn how to draw a vector Halloween pumpkin with Adobe Illustrator, so you can create an avatar, icon, etc... and scare people around. Whatever.
Full tutorial and source files.

When Illustration Meets Type

"The artists and designers producing fascinating work at the creative frontier where illustration meets typography.
When it comes to conveying ideas, concepts and even descriptions of the world around us, words are extremely limiting. Meanings just cannot be definitively tied to them. That’s where design has a part to play: ensuring words carry their intended meaning into the minds of the waiting public...


According to one school of thought, the larger and bolder a message is written, the more likely it is to be heard. That might be true in laboratory conditions, but we’re surrounded by so much legible information that, unable to assimilate it all, we shut it out. Getting the message across now requires more work and more imagination. It calls for wit, for flair. It calls for illustrated type." Read full article.
Article: Computer Arts Magazine Illustration: zombie-keeper

Gradients in Adobe Illustrator CS4

Adobe Illustrator CS4 adds some functionality to gradients. Watch the video for examples of opacity control and the new gradient annotator.

from Go Media on Vimeo.

Crown symbols for Adobe Illustrator

A set of 8 vector crown symbols for Adobe Illustrator from darkdesign1209. Download
Note: To use, load the PDF with Illustrator and open the symbols palette (Window>Symbols).

Miss Vector Universe by Anthony Aguinaldo

A beauty contest based on a set of stunning vector girl illustrations by Anthony Aguinaldo. Below you can have a look at some of the contestants (Miss Brazil, Miss UK and Miss Jamaica). To see the full set of illustrations use this link.

What Do You Think This Is ?

By Reallyfreshriceball

Spot Colors

"Screened in combination, the four inks of process printing – cyan, magenta, yellow and black – can create the illusion of a wide range of colors. But CMYK cannot reproduce large parts of the visible spectrum, such as very bright colors. After all, these four inks can only reflect light, not emit it."
Full Tutorial & Files Computer Arts Magazine 2008

maria sharapova earnings

In June 2005, Forbes magazine listed her as the highest-paid female athlete in the world, with annual earnings of U.S. $18 million. (CBS, the American television network, reported in August 2006 that the figure is over U.S. $20 million.) In total, she earns over UKЈ13.4 million per year, over 90 percent of which comes from endorsements.
When asked about her income, she said, "It's never enough. Bring on the money. There's no limit to how much you can make." In a later interview, she said, "You know, one of the greatest things about being an athlete and, you know, making money is realising that you can help, you know, help the world, and especially children, who I absolutely love working with."

maria sharapova media publicity

Sharapova is visible in and outside of the court for her looks. Sharapova posed in a six-page bikini photoshoot spread in the 2006 issue of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, annual magazine that debuted on Valentine's Day, along with 25 scantily-clad supermodels.
Sharapova joined the ranks of other athletes who have previously appeared in the publication. In April 2005, Sharapova was listed by People Magazine as among the 50 most beautiful celebrities in the world. In 2006, Maxim magazine named Sharapova the hottest athlete in the world for the fourth consecutive year.

Bamboo Symbols for Adobe Illustrtor

A set of various bamboo symbols for Adobe Illustrator. Download Thanks to darkdesign1209 & mouritsada-stock Note: To install place the PDF file in Program Files/Applications> Adobe Illustrator> Presets> Brushes/Symbols. Open Illustrator and then open the Symbols/Brushes Palette.

Scatter Brushes for Adobe Illustrator Part Two

Another set of vector scatter brushes from nrmb. The pack contains flourish, swirly paisleys, skull, star, arrow, etc. styled brushes...

You can explore different effects by experienting with the stroke color, size and layer transparency.

For a detailed preview please click on the image below. Note: To use extract the .rar file with WinRar or StuffIt (MacOS). Download

20 Websites for learning Adobe Illustrator online

A collection of useful website links that I found @ Digg.com. " In this collection, you ’ll find 20 excellent websites and blogs that provide high-quality tutorials and information on vector illustration and Adobe Illustrator." Link

latest news :season's over for maria sharapova:

Friday October 3, 2008PARIS: Former world number one Maria Sharapova has pulled out of the season-ending WTA Tour Championships in Qatar as she has yet to regain full fitness from the shoulder injury that has sidelined her since August.The Russian said on her website that while the injury was healing, she needed more time to make absolutely certain and that she and her team had decided she would not play again this season.Sharapova opened the year in style by winning the Australian Open in January and regaining the world number one spot.But she lost in straight sets to Russian compatriot Alla Kudryavtseva in the second round at Wimbledon and after her shoulder injury worsened withdrew from the Beijing Olympics and the US Open.The WTA Tour Championships will be held in Doha, Qatar, for the first time from Nov 4-9

Vector clapper-board

A free vector stock from rezbnik. The zip archive contains EPS and AI versions of the file. Download

Random Tip: Outlining Type

Many times digital illustrators /designers face problems when their work contains text typed with particular typeface and the client does not have the same one installed on his system. After receiving final projects some clients like to mess around with them which usually end as a major issue in press printing. Most of the times projects for the press are very expensive and it is a bad feeling when the printout looks totally different than what your client(s) saw on the screen.
In Adobe Illustrator all this can be avoided by simply outlining the type. To do this, select the areas (objects, layers) where you have text then click on Type > Create Outlines. You can never be insured against misspellings, so before outlining you can make a backup copy of your *.ai file so you keep a version of it with live (editable) text.

Art Nouveau Frame

A free vector illustration frame resource in Art Nouveau style.You can use it to create a frame or decorate the corners of your composition. Download Note: To use, open the PDF file with Adobe Illustrator. Thanks to quenita

Little World

Vector Illustration by by Sckamb

Color: Creativity & Inspiration

"Inspired and well thought-out colour usage can produce visually balanced work with a pleasing sense of order – here are our essential tips for creatively handling color. " Article hightlights: Harmonious colors, Color in context, colors of the nature, Adobe Kuler, etc. Full Article (via Digital Arts Magazine)

Twitter Bird Logo in Vector

The bird logo of the popular micro-blogging service Twitter. The graphic can be used for creating custom graphical follow links that blend with your website layout. Download Note: To use open the PDF file with Illustrator.Thank's to iPotion.

Nutritional Information

by Jomino

Lightning Effects With Adobe Illustrator

"Bright lights will always draw a crowd, and not just people looking for a good time. Adding atmospheric lighting effects to your illustrations will attract the attention your clients are after.
You may already be familiar with Illustrator’s Inner and Outer Glow effects, but the application offers a wealth of techniques and tools for brightening up any artwork." Full tutorial ComputerArts Magazine

30 Artistic Scatter Brushes for Adobe Illustrator

A set of 30 artistic scatter brushes for Adobe Illustrator from Ney Ricardo. Very useful if you are working on a event poster project or a artistic web background. You can get a variety of effects by experimenting with different stroke color, size and layer opacity...


This resource has been released under CC Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 License. To use , extract the .rar file with WinRar or StuffIt (MacOS). Download

Grids. Fundamentals of Print Design

Designing with grids adds unity and aesthetic feeling to your composition. Grids can be, horizontal, vertical and diagonal (rotated). Since page Layout design is a common task in many business fields and it's never too bad to be informed on time. The tutorial below explores some handy techniques for building better page grids.
"Master the grids and guides features of your layout software. Alistair Dabbs shows you how to endow your print design work with more structure, consistency – and speed...

Any print project that runs across more than one page probably needs a layout grid. Officially, the purpose of a grid is to standardise the basic layout features from one page to the next, thereby maintaining visual consistency across the entire publication." Full tutorial & source files.
Via ComputerArs Magazine.

Typolution

Animated film with typographical environmental minimalist flavor, punctuated by "Ratatat-Nostrand".

Graphic Design Olivier Beaudoin.

Done in Adobe After Effects. Écodesign 2007 de St-Pétersbourg Via www.kalomnie.ca ...

50 Adobe Illustrator Tutorials

A comprehensive collection of Adobe Illustrator tutorials for pros and beginners. Some of the tutorials are focused on explaining the concept of drawing vectors, others are emphasizing on using specific tools like :Paintbrush Tool, Brush Panel, Mesh Tool, Patterns, 3D Extrude, Bevel Tool, Live Tracing ... etc. Enjoy ! Link

Cross-Hatch Brushes for Adobe Illustrator

A collection of cross-hatched brushes for Adobe Illustrator from shurakai-zero. To use, load them with Adobe Illustrator, open the Brushes Panel, activate a path and apply a brush of your choice on it...

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License. Download

Note:In case the brushes don't appear in your panel, try to use the "File>Open" method when loading the PDF.

24 Hour Comic Day 2008

October 18 2008

"About the Cartoonist Conspiracy: The San Francisco Cartoonist Conspiracy is one of the oldest
cartooning groups still running in the city. The group meets twice a month at the Church ST Cafe and work on collaborative comics and exercises. The group has drawn over 30 jam comic books and has published many in print and online. The SFCC is open to any artists to come and jam."

More about the event here.

Masking object with Adobe Illustrator CS4

Halftone Decoration

A free vector stock from sergeypoluse . The set contains random halftone decorative shapes. Download Note: To use open the PDF file with Adobe Illustrator.

Random Vectors

A set of random vector illustrations from Rickashay. The stock includes shapes of William Shakespeare, Fidel Castro + other unrelated but handy signs and symbols. Download (EPS)

Vector Soldier : Knock 'Em Out The Box

Vector Illustration of a soldier by JohnnyDoomsday . The file includes 6 different pattern swatches, so you can easily change the main color of the uniform. Download (EPS)

Draw characters from photos. Adobe Illustrator Tutorial

An old character design tutorial from Computer Arts magazine that is worth your attention if you are looking forward to learn universal vector character illustration techniques."Over the next few pages we take you through the process of creating a ‘real life’ character using Illustrator CS2. The main character in this illustration is John C McGinley, from the TV show Scrubs. He was originally drawn for a feature in a magazine in which readers submit their real-life questions to a different celebrity each month. To save money on photoshoots, publishers often commission designers to illustrate celebrities. What follows is a step-by-step guide showing you how to do just that." Full tutorial and files

Recycling Symbols

A free set of six social awareness symbols in vector (EPS) format from DJShokry. Download

Creative Online Magazines

Another great collection of inspirational links, that I just found @ smashingapps.com. Have a look at 20 Creative and inspirational free design magazines here. Enjoy, I know the content is too exciting, but get some sleep from time to time, please ;) .

R’lyeh City Brushes

Two sets of vector brushes for Adobe Illustrator from r2010. Main inspiration from H.R. Giger Antoni Gaudí and R’lyeh City. Prefect for drawing gothic swirls, dragon wings, etc. Download links: Pack 01; Pack 02;

Building a Baby

"100g if Cartoons
200g of fuel
1 egg
2 teaspoons of sugar
4 blocks of cadbury choclate
30g technology

throw in music, art and gore

and at the end, love

whatever..."

by concept-b

Female Vector Eyes

The hardest part about drawing a vector portrait is the illustration of the person's eyes. In Adobe Illustrator, the digital illustrators can take advantage of already predefined sets of skin tone color swatches and a powerful tracing tool like Live Trace. Those tools save a lot of time, but still many people are having hard time with drawing eyes. Why ? Eyes express emotions! They are a tiny element and usually live-tracing is not enough.
Below you and see a free vector stock that includes 4 sets of eyes and eyebrows. Great for practicing. I suggest you to take close look at them in outline mode and pay attention on the positioning of the anchor points and the stacking order of the elements. You can use them as a drawing resource and place them over the original set of eyes as well. Download. Thanks to boiled-frogs

Tech type brush pack for Illustrator

A free set of tech type brushes for Adobe Illustrator by r2010. Click on the image below to see a detailed preview. Download Note: To use decompress the zip file and open th AI file with Illustrator.

Vector Inking Techniques

This Illustrator tutorial explores a step by step process of medical illustration, implementing useful vector illustration line art & ink styled coloring techniques . Digital Arts Magazine...

"Pen and ink, or line art, goes back to Renaissance literary and scientific books, which were printed using woodcuts to produce illustrations of black lines on white paper.

This tutorial continues the evolution of line art, by explaining how to create it using Illustrator" Full Tutorial and Source Files

Love Bombs Vector Pack for Adobe Illustrator and Corel Draw

Free vector pack by gbrgraphix. The set contains around eight popular logo design elements in vector format: Laurel Leaves, Hearts, Stars, Abstract Flames, Bombs, Double Edged Razor Blade, etc...

Each of the shapes has its own symbolical meaning and during your brainstorming you can combine them with other ideas and help you emphasize on the message you're sending.

The stock is available in Adobe Illustrator and Corel Draw file formats. Download

Adobe CS4 Video Presentation

Vector Art Facebook Page

Vector-Art Blog just launched its Facebook Page. Feel free to share some feedback and suggestions. There you can also links to your artwork, ask for reviews and meet other creative people.

If you already have a Facebook account follow this link and join us.

Logo Design Trends

An informative and inspirational article on current logo design trends with great visual examples.

By Bill Gardner (Logo Lounge).
"Trend-watching, until recently, has largely been an exercise in watching connections form between direct associations. Photoshop releases a new filter, and voila - entire raft of logos take on that effect. A particular illustration style is featured in a successful advertising campaign or movie, and in what seems like minutes, the flavor of that art starts to enhance corporate identities.Periodically, something truly surprising and unexpected pops up. Finding those little treasures are one of the great perks of categorizing 27,000 logos, as LogoLounge and a talented panel of judges just did in preparation for our fourth book. But there's always that natural undercurrent of influence that touches this design and that, a drift of scent, a faint change in air temperature. It's there, but almost not." Full Article

Rich Media PDF Portfolio Tutorial

A musthavealookat Adobe Acrobat tutorial from the website of Computer Arts Magazine.
"Creating a clear, succinct and visually rich PDF portfolio has never been easier using Acrobat Professional 9
Adobe’s CS3.3 update introduces Acrobat 9 Pro and Pro Extended to the design community as a far beefier package than its predecessor. Its new tool sets allow any designer to create a rich, feature-packed portfolio of existing work in minutes." Full tutorial and files

PR: wait... I: wait... L: wait... LD: wait... I: wait... wait... C: wait... SD: wait...

Punk's Not Dead

A free vector stock from jonny-doomsday. The file format is EPS, so u can edit it with almost all major vector editors. Download Note: Click on the image below for more detailed preview.