[drivernumberone]

hey everyone, I just got illustrator and i was curious about how it works. I have been using photoshop for a few years now, so i don't think it will be a big problem getting used to it. I was curious though if there is a process to getting a good image/ design or if its all done differently by different people.

here is an example of some designs... i'm curious how to get to this level of design... tools used, any art making processes, cleanliness achieved... it just seems unreal that this sort of detail can be achieved on the computer.

"I Love You" In Reverse by valorandvellum - Shirt of the day winner for November 07, 2008

In The Evening by whyball - Shirt of the day winner for November 05, 2008

King Of The Jungle by everybodylovesirine - Shirt of the day winner for October 30, 2008

any input is appreciated!

thanks

 

[Rez_Yup]

There are several ways to get this level of line art detail in AI.

Try to google "adobe-illustrator inking OR line-art OR line-drawings". You should be able to find a method or two that suits your needs. You could possibly find something on youtube with the same search info.

If you are serious about creating high quality line art, investing in a graphics tablet would not be a bad idea.

 

[drivernumberone]

yeah, i was thinking about getting one of those. I want to look into getting a scanner too. thanks for the response though! i have been waiting a while for some feedback...


thanks again

 

[Catbox]

it's done differently by all kinds of people... some good some bad... cool designs depend on your creativity... photoshop/illustrator/corel can all be used to make any design you can think of...

 

[valorandvellum]

Hi! I did the first design example that you mentioned so I can at least tell you how that one was created. I hand drew the whole thing with Micron pens on Canson Marker Paper. It was then scanned in at high res and was colored completely in Photoshop. I made a basic Photoshop coloring tutorial for t-shirts on a Threadless blog. Here is a link to it in case you're curious:

Threadless T-Shirts - Profile for valorandvellum - Photoshop Coloring Tutorial

 

[drivernumberone]

thanks! i just got my hands on a scanner and its nice. i did an image in pencil and then used "inking" to clean it up in illustrator... its pretty cool. I was just curious how big your original image was that you drew... I mean it could have been pretty small an then just put in super high res and blown up right?

love the art work by the way! you go to school for this or what? i'll be sure to check the blog out.

thanks again!

 

[valorandvellum]

I used an 14" x 17" paper for that illustration. It's true that you can draw the design smaller and blow it up, but you have to keep in mind that when you do that, the lines become much thicker and any little mistakes you might've made become blown up as well. I try to draw the illustration to actual size (or close to it).

And thanks! I did go to school for art & design, but that was just to learn the basics. We didn't really learn anything about t-shirt illustration at all. That was picked up from other forums (mostly from the Threadless blogs).

 

[mrbigjack50]

Strathmore makes a better marker paper in my opinion Lol sorry to through off track a tad...
and I too love using Photoshop for coloring in pictures rather than Illy

 

[drivernumberone]

what kind of pens are good ones to use? and do you mainly color in designs by hand and then scan or use photoshop for that?

just curious what you guys do. I appreciate the input thus far!

 

[mrbigjack50]

Micron are great and have all kinda thicknesses
Sakura and Steadtlar has some nice drafting ones as well
For super precise rapidograph refillable are the best around and cost like 25 bucks each but have issue with heads clogging so you may wanna invest in a ultrasonics head cleaner instead of pump one the sell

I should know about this kinda stuff because I sold art supplies for 7 years and been to trade shows

 

[mrbigjack50]

good pad to get is strathmore plate bristol paper
keep away from canson like the plague .. sure they are biggest name in game but don't mean they are best

 

[valorandvellum]

I'm just going to say that I did "I Love You" in Reverse (along with every other t-shirt illustration) on Canson marker paper, and leave it at that

 

[drivernumberone]

haha, i'm not going to get into it with everyone, i will buy a bunch of different pads and see what works best for me. I appreciate all your input about everything. Thank you.

and thanks for the tutorial valorandvellum, I will be putting my skills to the test once school is over this term.

By the way valor, you do any printwork of your own?