SKILLSET 2: Custom Brushes - Creating and Using Scatter and Artistic Brushes
Learning:
Learn the following skills by observing Ms. Hammond’s demonstration, then practising by completing the activity below:
Application:
Brush up on your “Brush” skills by creating a new layer in your “loginname_Skills” Illustrator file. Rename this layer “Custom Brushes.” Browse through the Brush libraries until you find a brush you like. Use this brush to create your first of three doodles (note: you may choose to create your doodle’s path with the basic brush/line/pencil/pen tool, then convert it to the desired brush afterwards, if you’d like). Next, create and adjust the settings for your very own Scatter Brush. You may choose to use your own artwork, or a Symbol from the Symbols library. Now use this brush to create the second of your three doodles. Finally, create and adjust the settings for your very own Art Brush. You may choose to use a shape, drawing, or image of your choice. Now use this brush to create the third and final doodle. Using the Text tool, type the name of the brush style (library, scatter, or art) you used underneath each doodle.
Learning:
Learn the following skills by observing Ms. Hammond’s demonstration, then practising by completing the activity below:
- Drawing using the Brush and Pencil Tools
- Exploring the Brush Libraries
- Converting a Path to a Brush Stroke (select the path, then the desired brush)
- Creating a Custom Scatter Brush and Altering its Settings
- Note: You may also turn bitmap images into brushes, as long as you embed them. To do this, click on File > Place… to bring your desired image into Illustrator. Then, open your Links window (Window > Links). Double-click the image that appears within your Links window to bring up its properties. Click on the drop-down menu in the top-right corner of the window, then choose Embed… Your image is now ready to be added as a brush (the same way you would turn any other artwork into a custom brush).
- Creating a Custom Artistic Brush and Altering its Settings
Application:
Brush up on your “Brush” skills by creating a new layer in your “loginname_Skills” Illustrator file. Rename this layer “Custom Brushes.” Browse through the Brush libraries until you find a brush you like. Use this brush to create your first of three doodles (note: you may choose to create your doodle’s path with the basic brush/line/pencil/pen tool, then convert it to the desired brush afterwards, if you’d like). Next, create and adjust the settings for your very own Scatter Brush. You may choose to use your own artwork, or a Symbol from the Symbols library. Now use this brush to create the second of your three doodles. Finally, create and adjust the settings for your very own Art Brush. You may choose to use a shape, drawing, or image of your choice. Now use this brush to create the third and final doodle. Using the Text tool, type the name of the brush style (library, scatter, or art) you used underneath each doodle.