Tutorial: How to Prep Your Vectors

It can be tough when you’re starting out as a vector contributor on microstock sites. There are so many little things to watch out for! One tiny mistake could mean you need to submit your file all over again… Even worse, if you’re still in the application phase of becoming a contributor you may be forced to wait a set number of days before you can send in your application samples again.

We often hear from frustrated contributors who’ve overlooked a small detail in their file and received the dreaded rejection email. So I’ve decided to put together a short list of things you should always be checking… BEFORE you submit your file. Click here to read more!

New article on iStock: Personalized Palettes

This week, author Cheryl Graham talks about how to put your own personal stamp on your vector illustrations by creating customized color palettes. Whether you’re pulling swatches from nature or history, color can make or break any illustration. Click here to read more!

New Article on iStock: Global Color

This week, author Cheryl Graham covers everything you need to know about setting up global color swatches in your vector files – and why you should be using global colors in the first place. Click here to read more!

Tutorial: Drawing People Part 2

To follow up to our recent tutorial, ‘Draw a Face Using Simple Shapes’, we’ve decided to take things a step further and show how to draw an entire body. This second tutorial will take the basics of anatomy and proportion that we learned in Drawing People Part 1 and apply them to a vector drawing of a woman. Click here to read more!

New Article on iStock: Spot Color

This week, author Cheryl Graham explains Spot Colors. This is an absolute must-read for anyone working with vectors! Spot Colors are an often overlooked element when building your files, and in this article, you’ll find out why it’s important not to use them willy nilly. Click here to read more!

Tutorial: Drawing People Part 1

To follow up to our recent tutorial, ‘Draw a Face Using Simple Shapes’, we’ve decided to take things a step further and show how to draw an entire body. But before we dive in, we need to discuss some very important considerations when drawing the human figure. Since we’ve got a lot to cover we’re splitting this tutorial into 2 parts. This first tutorial will cover the basics of proportion, anatomy, and other things to keep in mind when drawing people. The second tutorial will apply these principles to a vector illustration. Let’s get started. Click here to read more!

Tutorial: Draw a Cute Purse Using Simple Shapes

In this tutorial, we want to create a very simple, clean handbag icon. I worked in a fancy accessories store back in College so I’ve always loved purses! We’ll show you some simple tricks for creating graphic simplification of an object, as well as some tips on how to create punch contrast as you’re shading your shapes. Click here to read more!

New ‘Open Shapes Select’ Script for Windows CS4

Those of you who are working in Adobe Illustrator CS4 on a PC have been a little frustrated: Everyone’s favorite ‘open shapes‘ selection plugin only works on a Mac. Until the new plugin is released, though, you should check out this handy script from Arid Ocean. It has some additional features, too: select transparent elements, find various color types and select paths with pattern or gradient fills. Click here to check it out!

New Article on iStock: Rich Blacks

This week, author Cheryl Graham explains Rich Blacks, why they’re so important, and how to create your own. Click here to read more!

Tutorial: Draw a snarling panther icon with simple shapes

One of the handiest features in Adobe Illustrator is it’s built in shape tools (such as squares, circles, stars, etc). However, it can take time and practice to realize their full potential! Beginner illustrators tend to rely heavily (often too heavily!) on simple geometric shapes to create their compositions, but this can appear amateurish and unpolished. We’re here to show you how to use simple shapes as the basis of a more sophisticated, less ‘circle and square’ based icon of a snarling panther. Click here to read more!

Tutorial: Do’s and Don’ts When Submitting to iStock

There’s a lot of confusion about things that microstock sites like iStockphoto.com do and don’t accept (blends? meshes? text? unclosed strokes?). Contributors who’ve been around a while have learned over the years, and iStock does have a great Illustrator Training Manual… Still, we figured it’d be a great time to put together a list of not-so-well-known do’s and don’ts to keep in mind when submitting your vector illustrations. Click here to continue reading!

AI8 EPS Files Explained

If you want to upload to microstock, you might need to submit AI8 EPS files. This can be very frustrating for illustrators who are used to working with all the bells and whistles found in current versions of Illustrator (drop shadows, transparent shapes, etc). But there are some very practical reasons to stick to AI8 files. Click here to find out what they are!

Tutorial: Create a Cute Lipstick Tube

In this tutorial, we’re going to use simple shapes from Adobe Illustrator’s default Shape tools to create a cute stylized tube of pink lipstick. All you’ll need are circles, squares, and some subtle gradients as shading. Click here to read more!

Tutorial: Create a High Contrast Vector Portrait

In this tutorial, we’re going to explain how to convert a photograph into a simplified vector portrait. This technique can be handy if you’re printing in limited flat colors, need to upsize a small photo, or even just to add some graphic and cartoony pizazz to that photo! (And yeah, that’s yours truly looking bored on the phone!) Click here to read more…

 Difficulty Level: Beginner

Tutorial: Draw a Face Using Simple Shapes

Illustrator comes bundled with plenty of basic shapes: circles, squares, stars, etc. Anyone can ‘draw’ a cute star with the click of a button. So what? Well, with a little know-how and creativity you can easily use these simple shapes to create great illustrations. In this tutorial, we’re going to create a very simple smiling face using Illustrator’s Ellipse Shape Tool (and a little point tweaking with the pen tool). Click here to read more!

 Difficulty Level: Beginner

Handy Keyboard Shortcuts for Adobe® Illustrator®

Drawing in Illustrator while continually clicking back and forth to your Toolbar to change your options is a drag. We strongly suggest that you take a few minutes to memorize keyboard commands: it’ll save time and help reduce strain on your mouse (or tablet!) hand. Click here to read!

Tutorial: How to Use the Pen Tool

Making the leap from traditional illustration mediums (pencil, pen and ink, paints, etc) to vectors is tough. Your first foray into vector software can leave you frustrated, disappointed and confused. In this tutorial, we’re going to start at the drawing board and show you how the Pen Tool works, rather than make you struggle to figure it out on your own. Click here to read more!

 

 Difficulty Level: Beginner

Tutorial: Creating a Seamless Pattern

In this tutorial, the lovely Diane Labombarbe (aka ‘diane555’ on iStockphoto.com) has kindly volunteered to show you how she makes her beautiful seamless vector patterns. You can check out her work at www.istockphoto.com/diane555. Click here to view!

 

 Difficulty Level: Intermediate

Tutorial: Drawing an Apple

I drew a file the other day to upload to iStock when it occurred to me: This is a great example of how to use the Pencil tool and Pathfinder tools. Hence this tutorial, click here to view!

 

 

 Difficulty Level: Beginner+

Vector Newbie Tips for Microstock Applications

In the iStockphoto Critique Request Forums, we often see illustrators confounded after their contributor application was declined.  As an administrator on iStockphoto, I’ve heard literally thousands of complaints and questions regarding microstock applications, so I figured it was about time to compile some of the most commonly experienced rejection reasons in one place!