In this class you will learn the basic principals of light and shadow and how they can be applied to your vector illustrations to give them more depth and dimension.

We will go over:

The basic principals of light and shadow and how they create form.
How texture and color effect how light reflects off an object.
The difference between rendering objects in pixel vs vector.
Blend modes in Adobe Fresco - what are they and how do they work?
Different trimming options in Adobe Fresco.
The steps to create a water drop with vector brushes in Adobe Fresco.
How to make adjustments and export your work.

In the end you will have illustrated a dynamic water drop in Adobe Fresco.

This class is for all levels. No experience is necessary but it may be helpful to have some basic knowledge of Adobe Fresco. If you need a refresher on Adobe Fresco, you can check out my class Intro to iPad Art Part 2: Adobe Fresco on Skillshare.

Why is this class helpful?

Illustrating with vector brushes allow you to scale your work as much as you want without loss of quality but sometimes vector illustrations can feel a bit flat. If you want to add a bit more depth and dimension to your illustrations, adding highlights and shadows to convey light will make your vectors feel like they jump off the page. Adobe Fresco’s tools, like blend modes and clipping masks, offer the ability to infuse life into your flat illustrations. Water can be a tricky subject to illustrate in any medium, so it’s a great test for applying the principals of light and shadow to vectors.

Materials and Resources

This class requires an iPad and Apple Pencil combined with Adobe Fresco.

With an Adobe CC account you will have access to Adobe Fresco and many other Adobe apps with one subscription. Adobe also offers free trials of its apps so you can 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 a reference photo that we will use for the class project.

A little about me:

I have a Bachelors of Fine Art and over three decades of experience as an artist. I have been using the iPad Pro and Apple Pencil since early 2016 (shortly after its initial launch). I tested many drawing apps and tools over the years and have a lot of experience working on the iPad.
I started using Adobe Fresco when it was launched in 2019 and use it regularly to create my vector illustrations. I have been working over the years to infuse my painterly style into my vector illustrations using the principles of art that I learned throughout my art practice.
I learned with pencil and paper but 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 in the beginning. I also know the benefits of working digitally to save time and resources and increase productivity.

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

Katie Bergamaschi

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