IllustrationClass.com

As some of you may know I designed promotional art for Adobe CS4 Illustrator called “Loyal Order of Wormwood.” Along with that project I also put together a “How-To Guide” for them as well which Adobe has now posted on their web site so I have posted the same blurb below which gives you access to same content and a little bit more. But be sure to check out Adobes page to view other cool promotional art created for CS4.

Loyal Order of Wormwood
by Von Glitschka, Glitschka Studios

His inspiration for “Loyal Order of Wormwood”: “I never know when or where inspiration will come. Most often it’s captured initially via a simple doodle. Then at a later point in time I take that doodle and flesh it out into a refined sketch. Once my drawing is exactly the way I like it, I simply scan it in and start building my vector art.”

Read the how-to guide File Size: 9.5 MB
Download the Illustrator CS4 file File Size: 7.2 MB
Download Missing “Step by Step” Tutorial File Size: 11.4 MB

Adobe copyright © and usage limitations of this art are clearly stated within download files.

(PDF and Tutorial Include English notes only.)

Keywords: Adobe, Wormwood, CS4, Illustrator

Illustrating for an embroidery patch that will be 1.875 x 1.875 inches is challenging to say the least. You’re dealing with a production technology that is very limiting. Gradient blends at this size just look terrible so you have to keep your colors flat and detail needs to be simplified.

The following tutorial will show how I go about creating a set of NBA licensed embroidery patches featuring portraits of many of the leagues greatest players.


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

Keywords: Patch, NBA, Basketball, Embroidery

File Size: 6.9 MB

I do a lot of creative hired gun work for agencies. They call me up and pull me into their various projects to execute everything from logos, icons, illustrations, concepts, patterns and in this case a character design.

I enjoy this kind of work because it’s always challenging and ever changing. Style drives most of the work and it has to fit in well with the overall scope of the project and the clients needs. It’s also pure creative work in that I don’t have to manage the project or client I am being hired to merely execute high level creative. In a nutshell I get work because others can’t draw and that is a good thing.

The following tutorial will walk you through such a project, a character design for Fanta soda to use in their Halloween promotion.


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

Keywords: Character, Creature, Halloween, Fanta

File Size: 7.6 MB

Sometimes I get the creative itch to just illustrate something for no other reason then to have some fun.

Like me you’ve probably watched his no frill commercials as he confidently pitches the latest and greatest joe consumer product all the while being hypnotized by his impeccably groomed beard.

This tutorial covers such a project as I attempt to create an iconic representation of master pitch man Billy Mays.

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

Keywords: Billy, Mays, Pop, Art, Portrait

File Size: 9.5 MB

The “Action Sports Industry” (ASI) is geared for Skate boarders, Surfers, Snowboarders and any other kind of board driven sports enthusiast I may be overlooking as I write this.

ASI is filled with adrenaline driven and very passionate and active (Duh!) individuals who love pushing the limits of both their sport and lifestyle. They are loyal to and approve of authentic brands and despise posers. Needless to say It’s a fun industry to design for.

Much of the problem however has nothing to do with the art itself but rather it’s individuals who tend to be jealous of others success and their failure to market themselves in a commercial sense. If an illustrator can be successful in both arenas it makes art snobs feel threatened so the best defense is to talk down illustration as if it cannot apply to the fine arts market.

This tutorial will walk you through my illustrative design solution for several BMX bike graphics.


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

Keywords: Skull, Wings, BMX

File Size: 19.9 MB

Historically speaking the linear style is also referred to as “Contour Drawing.” The artist who made it an art form was no less then Pablo Picasso. From that point forward it has gone in and out of fashion several times as a style used within the illustration industry.

At this point in time (2008) it has been a very popular style for the past five years or so. Most of it’s popularity is due to the fact it can work well within nearly any genre or context. I’ve personally created art in this style for big pharma, Kleenex, a green magazine, a coffee company and as you’ll soon see a bank.

The following tutorial will give you insight into how to illustrate in a linear line style.


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

Keywords: Line, Continuous, Linear, Animation

File Size: 4.8 MB

At times when I work or just go about doing something non-creative I stumble upon something that sparks my creative curiosity. This usually ends up being an artistic rabbit trail of sorts as I pursue it to see where it might lead.

Such was the case with this creative exercise. It was birthed from mere happenstance and led to a fun little side project.

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

Keywords: Doodle, Book, Worm, Creative Exercise

File Size: 13.5 MB

Inspiration comes from the strangest places at times. The inspiration for this illustration came from a new business venture I considered but never pulled the trigger on. Even though the business never came to fruition, a good idea did emerge from that situation.

This tutorial will go through the method of using symmetry in your artwork. Learn how to do half the work but still get the full benefit from your artwork. We’ll also feature a plugin for AI that speeds up your build time and cover the topic of “Opacity Masks.”

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

Keywords: Thug, Bunny, Symmetric, Rabbit, Tee

File Size: 19.7 MB

Have you ever thought of a unique concept, but then wasn’t sure you could pull it off because it required a good amount of illustrative work and frankly speaking that intimidated you? Or your budget was such that you couldn’t hire it out either? So, instead you just pursued another design direction?

Well, fear no more my fellow creatives! This session will walk you through systematic illustrative design methods you’ll be able to integrate into your own creative process. In the end you’ll be better equipped to pursue those design ideas that require an illustrative touch far more effectively, thus expanding your overall creative potential and skill set as a graphic designer.

Included in this download: The entire “Illustrative Design” session from the HOW Design Conference, Exhaustive notes regarding each step of the process, Quick reference sheet to help you remember each step, MP3 audio file of entire session so you can listen while you go through it yourself and Instructions on how to use everything on a MAC or PC.

(This download is only available in English.)

Keywords: Illustrative, Design, Session, HOW, Conference

File Size: 138.5 MB (Large)

Over the past several years the line of demarcation between illustration and fine art has been forever changed. Historically speaking illustration has always been viewed by the fine art snobs as a lesser form of art. Mainly because they view illustration as a mere commercial driven commodity and prefer art created for the sole sake of creating art instead. This of course is a tired and flawed perception that only elitists hold to.

In today’s competitive market an illustrator should pursue both arenas of creativity be it commercial or fine art. The age of art snobs has come to an end and it’s time for illustrators to create and captivate a new generation of fine art lovers.This tutorial will help you understand how to take your digital art and create gallery quality reproductions of it that have a nice authentic hand crafted quality to them.

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

Keywords: Fine, Art, Gallery, Textures

  File Size: 19.4 MB