This class is Part 2 of a series which introduces students to creating art digitally on the iPad. In this series, students will learn about three drawing apps: Procreate (Part 1), Adobe Fresco (Part 2), and Adobe Illustrator for the iPad (Part 3). In this series, we will talk about the similarities and the differences, including which apps allow you to work in raster (Procreate), vector (Adobe Illustrator) and both raster and vector (Adobe Fresco). We will look at how similar tools work differently in each app: layers and masks, the type tool, blend modes, symmetry tools, color palettes, etc.

In this class, we will focus on Adobe Fresco. We will start with a tour of the workspace and then jump right in to working through all the tools you’ll need to go from sketch to final design in Fresco. If you are a complete beginner to Fresco you will have a full introduction to the app, but even if you’ve used Fresco before I’m confident you’ll learn a few tricks in this class.

We will go over the basics:

The layout
Starting a new project
Pixel Brushes and Sketching
Live Brushes and Color Palettes
Vector Brushes and Vector Trimming
Transform and Selection Tools
Working in layers
Quick gestures and Touch Shortcuts for a faster workflow
Exporting/sharing your final piece

This class is for anyone who is curious about getting started on the iPad. No prior knowledge is required. Whether you are new to creating art and are interested in digital art, or if you have been making art for years with pencil & paper or canvas & brush but want to convert to working digitally, you will be able to follow this class.

Why is the class useful?

The iPad and Apple Pencil combined with apps like Adobe Fresco, make a powerful tool for creating art. No matter what project you are working on it can make your workflow faster and give you more flexibility to create. When I moved from drawing in sketchbooks and painting on canvas to working on the iPad it completely changed my art practice. You can go from sketching to a finished piece of art on a single device, and it can go everywhere with you so you are always ready to create. With these apps, you can create anything from logos to hand-lettering projects, from digital oil paintings to seamless repeating patterns.

For this class, you will need an iPad and Apple Pencil (various newer iPad models offer Apple Pencil capabilities) and Adobe Fresco.

With an Adobe CC account you will have access to both Adobe Fresco and Adobe Illustrator with one subscription. Adobe offers free trials of its apps so you can also start with the free trial if you don’t want to commit to paying for the app immediately but it won’t offer all of the premium features.

In the Projects & Resources section, you will find:

One PDF file with ideas for card themes and elements in case you are stuck getting started.
Several JPEGs of card layout templates that can help you get started with your compositions.

These resources are meant to help you get started, but feel free to come up with your own theme and layout.

Why join the class?

I have been using the iPad and Apple pencil since early 2016 (shortly after its initial launch). I have tried several drawing apps and tools over the years and I have a lot of experience working on the iPad.
I started drawing when I was very young and went on to get my Bachelor of Arts degree with a focus in oil painting. I have technical drawing and painting skills under my belt and I learned with pencil and paper. I have transitioned to working digitally to create my art so I know first hand how intimidating the switch from traditional media to digital media can be at first. I also know the benefits of working on the iPad when it comes to time, resources and productivity.
I have a passion for sharing knowledge with others. I am someone who loves to learn and being a good student makes me a good teacher. I am patient and can put myself in my students’ shoes. I try to explain the “why” behind what I am doing, not just how to do it. I think this helps others understand the skill in a larger context for themselves.

Adobe, Adobe Fresco, and Adobe Illustrator for the iPad are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Adobe in the United States and/or other countries.

Jennifer Phifer

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