IllustrationClass.com

Not all my projects afford me the time I’d like to create them. Such is the case with this project. I was given all the information about four days before it was due, but the problem is I couldn’t get to it until the day before the deadline. Sometimes things work out this way, and you just have to roll with the punches.

Needless to say having the perfect reference was going to be paramount in my creative process. When this is the case nothing beats creating and controlling the reference myself. As you’ll see in this tutorial, it aided me to meet a very tight deadline all the while producing high quality artwork.

Source files are included in this download so you can manually de-construct the method I used to create my reference imagery.

(Tutorial Includes Notes in both ‘English’ and ‘Español’.)

Keywords: Bow, Reference, Graphic, Logo, Christ

File Size: 12.1 MB

I first used FreeHand back in 1991 and ever since it has been my sole application for creating digital design and illustration in terms of vector graphics. The software had it’s glory days “Version 8″ and it’s not so glorious days “Version 10″ and then it’s sudden and immediate death when Adobe bought out Macromedia in 2006.

Even though the hand writing was on the wall I continued to use FreeHand and didn’t plan on switching until someone pulled it from my cold dead fingers. That is until I was contacted by a certain agency who had a certain client named “Adobe.”

Suffice it to say this tutorial is my personal switcher story from FreeHand to Illustrator and contains the good, the bad and the ugly details of both apps. Enjoy.


(Tutorial Includes Notes in both ‘English’ and ‘Español’.)

Keywords: FreeHand, Adobe, Illustrator, Switcher

File Size: 21 MB

I don’t do a ton of pro-bono work but this was for a good cause. A Diabetes fundraiser poster with a jungle theme. They asked if I’d specifically illustrate a “White Tiger” for them.
Even though my work schedule was very busy I agreed to help them out.

I’ve illustrated more cartoony tiger characters before but never one like this and never a “White Tiger” which was a bit challenging due to the color limitations. I was happy with how it turned out but unfortunately the client thought the Tiger was too aggressive and ghosted me on the project and wouldn’t return my emails? (No good deed goes unpunished)

Even though I wasn’t able to grab this Tiger by it’s tail, you still get to benefit from my misfortune since I did manage to document the creation of the art for this site. So enjoy.

(Tutorial Includes Notes in both ‘English’ and ‘Español’.)

Keywords: Tiger, Animal, Jungle

File Size: 17 MB

Sometimes I get inspired on the spur of the moment. When this happens I tend to put aside what ever I am working on and just pursue the creative rabbit trail to see where it leads.

This creative exercise captures this momentary inspiration and shows you how you can build your creative muscle and have some unique fun doing so.

(Tutorial Includes Notes in both ‘English’ and ‘Español’.)

Keywords: Doodle, Creative, Exercise

File Size: 5 MB

Based on my observations within the creative community, and my own personal passions when it comes to creating artwork, I have compiled a top ten list of favorite themes that artists adore illustrating.

I reveal this list and showcase the creation of one of it’s themes in this tutorial download.

(Tutorial Includes Notes in both ‘English’ and ‘Español’.)

Keywords: Alien, Skull, Top Ten

File Size: 13.7 MB

Most artists I meet tend to view doing anything free as a “Bad Thing” or use the term “Spec Work” as if the only valid work you could ever do is the kind that pays you. This in my opinion is very short sighted and frankly speaking just terrible marketing in general.

I look at these type of projects as a venue of possibilities. It allows me to share my art and creativity with a new audience and introduce them to my work and creativity. Not only that it allows me to execute ideas and art that I may never be asked to create for a paying gig so it’s good for flexing the creative muscle as well.

This tutorial will walk you through my entire process for creating a poster illustration for an art show in Mexico.


(Tutorial Includes Notes in both ‘English’ and ‘Español’.)

Keywords: Evergreen, Tattoo, Tribal, Face, Green

File Size: 13 MB

Seemingly mundane things can be used to inspire a creative mind.

Recently while enjoying some taffy I balled up the wax paper wrapping and was about to toss it in trash when my curiosity was peaked. I’ve learned not to ignore these subtle moments of inspiration. So instead of tossing the wrappers I unfolded them and studied the creased textures running through the small wrappers.


This tutorial will show you how to capitalized on these inspiring moments and use them to bolster your own creative work. Included in this download are all the source files used in this project as well so you can explore them and use the created textures in your own projects.

(Tutorial Includes Notes in both ‘English’ and ‘Español’.)

Keywords: Curiosity, Taffy, Textures, Creative

File Size: 31.5 MB

I am always looking for unique ways to market my services. As an illustrator you can’t wait until your work flow slows down to start promoting yourself you need to do it when you don’t think you need to do it.

I’ve been wanting to create what I call ‘Concept Cards’ for a while now. In essence they are like a business card in that they are the same size but as you’ll see they serve a broader purpose then merely relaying contact information.


This tutorial will take you through my creative process from thumbnail sketches to the final printed concept cards.

(Tutorial Includes Notes in both ‘English’ and ‘Español’.)

Keywords: Promotion, Concept, Card, Log, Puns

File Size: 8.3 MB

When you literally have to illustrate hundreds of individual designs you look for the most efficient way possible so as to maximize your productivity and keep the project profitable. Such is the case with this assignment.


I’ll take you through an accelerated creative process that by passes a few of the normal steps I usually take when creating my art in order to meet the projects deadline. All without compromising the quality of the finished work.


(Tutorial Includes Notes in both ‘English’ and ‘Español’.)

Keywords: NBA, Patch, Embroidery

File Size: 4 MB

This post isn’t really a tutorial. Rather it’s a free resource for your own creative pursuits. This download includes nineteen high resolution texture files for use in your creative projects.

Use these textures to add a nice organic flair to your illustration and design work.


Each texture includes a layered PSD file and a bitmap tiff image. If you enjoy these then you need to check out ‘Crumble, Crackle, Burn’ my texture book which contains over ‘60′ textures in the exact same format.

FYI: Large Download Size!

Keywords: Textures, Set

File Size: 167 MB