Best Adobe Illustrator classes: Transform concept into digital art

These days illustrators have so much to look forward to, thanks to the ongoing development of intuitive, creative software that has empowered artists to take the digital world by storm.

As one of the leading vector art programs used in the industry, Adobe Illustrator offers creatives of all backgrounds and skill levels a world of possibilities due to its accessible nature and highly comprehensive toolset.

Whether you’re into fine arts or a tech-savvy novice, working with Adobe Illustrator will allow you to master many techniques and approaches that will enhance your visibility as an artist. 

Keep up with the digital art world and check out our top picks for the best online Adobe Illustrator classes! 

Affiliate disclosure: Articles on Tiny Workshops may contain affiliate links.

How to choose the best Adobe Illustrator class for you

Find courses featured on some of the best online learning platforms on our Adobe Illustrator classes guide! 

These include Domestika, Udemy, Skillshare, CreativeLive, and Creativebug. All provide affordable fees, engaging content, experienced instructors, and lots of additional resources to support your learning. 

While some of the platforms work on subscription plans, there are also plenty of individual course purchase options you can sign up for! Before enrolling, make sure to research the conditions offered by each platform so that you can make the most convenient pick!

Read also: 100+ creative hobbies to try and how to get started

To master Adobe Illustrator, having the appropriate means and tools is essential no matter what course you select. Access to the software, a computer (and/or tablet), and sketching materials are the basic materials needed for every class.

To confirm what version of Adobe Illustrator is required to attend each course, check the detailed class descriptions. Be aware that Adobe Illustrator provides free trials, so you should definitely consider this if you’re not looking to purchase this software just yet!

Besides course duration, be sure to choose a course that mirrors your skill level and goals: whether you want to explore fashion design, branding, learn useful hacks, or advanced techniques.

No matter your objectives, we’re confident you’ll find something alluring and helpful on our Adobe Illustrator classes list!

Best Adobe Illustrator classes online

Whether your goal is to master the more advanced functionalities of this software or learn from scratch, we’re confident our list of Adobe Illustrator classes will help lead you in the right direction to becoming a vector design expert! 

Adobe Illustrator for Beginners

Presented by Tina Touli, this beginner’s class is the perfect stop if you’re just getting started with Adobe Illustrator — one of the best Adobe Illustrator classes on Domestika!

This Domestika Basics course provides an in-depth overview of the software, covering everything from essential tools to interface navigation throughout eight hours.

Read also: Best Procreate classes online

Tina’s aim is to demonstrate the full potential of this vector-based software and inspire you to elevate your standards in your illustration work. You’ll work on developing basic techniques while exploring the software’s fundamental functionalities.

This will be followed by exploring colors, patterns, Brush tool shapes, and textures. Your teacher will also go over typography and fonts. Learning how to make your digital design more organic and tips to optimize workflow will also be covered.

Learn the basics of Adobe Illustrator with Tina Touli by clicking below! 

Master the Basics of Adobe Illustrator to Create Awesome Illustrations

This Skillshare Original course is another fantastic choice if you’re ready to explore Adobe Illustrator classes through a beginner’s lens. 

Julian Burford will give you a comprehensive tour of the software with the objective of teaching you how to develop realistic illustrations.

Read also: Best iPads for Procreate to suit all budgets

Besides advising you on how to employ tools and speed up workflow, your vector-art mentor will proceed to show you the sketching process with the Blob brush, how to use the Pen tool, and add color to embellish your final work. 

For your class project, you’ll illustrate a retro-inspired poster of your favorite movie based on the provided brief and guidelines. To sign up for this Skillshare course, look into the platform’s yearly subscription plan or click below to enjoy a free, one-month trial! 

Adobe Illustrator CC — Essentials Training Course 

This beginner course offers an attractive perk: you’ll be mentored by not only one but two digital art experts! 

Featuring Adobe Illustrator devotees Phil Ebiner and Daniel Walter Scott, the duo has compressed all of their know-how into this Udemy course to ensure you’re getting truly premium content. 

Read also: Udemy vs Domestika

Being an introductory class, you’ll learn the basics of the software’s interface, where to locate tools, how to customize shapes and linework, and apply brush functionalities.

Your mentors will also reveal sneaky secrets that can benefit your workflow, teach you how to manipulate graphics, and show you tricks to avoid duplicating work. For practice, you’ll be replicating iconic brand logos that you can export and add to your portfolio!

Sign up for this course on Udemy by clicking below and enjoy lifetime access to class content upon purchase!

Adobe Illustrator CC: The Complete Guide

CreativeLive is one of the most unique platforms in our Adobe Illustrator classes guide as it goes beyond traditional classroom environments!

Jason Hoppe will be your teacher during this course and will teach you how to grasp workflow, become interface savvy, and organize document setup when working with this software. 

Read also: All English-language Domestika courses

Shape creation, layering, advanced editing techniques, and more will be covered. By taking this class, you’ll start to intuitively develop an eye for detail and start pushing the boundaries of your imagination to explore your creativity further.

This particular class is recommended for newbies and curious self-taught students who want to keep refreshing their know-how on recent Adobe Illustrator features. 

If you’re looking for in-depth, comprehensive Adobe Illustrator classes, this is definitely one to go for. To know how you can enroll for this CreativeLive course, click below! 

Digitizing Sketches: Making Patterns in Photoshop and Illustrator

Now that you’ve read through our Adobe Illustrator classes for foundational skills, it’s time to discover the versatility of this software when applied to projects!

During this Creativebug class, Cecelia Murphy will show you how simple and practical it is to use Adobe Illustrator to create beautiful, printed patterns for all kinds of flat surfaces. 

Read also: Best fabric spray paint

A section focused on working with Adobe Photoshop alongside this tool is also included — a bonus if this is another program you’re curious about. Cecelia will go over how to digitize, trace, work with vector images, and experiment with color to create multiple, repeated patterns. 

While this process may seem intimidating, your teacher will prove how easy using this tool can be to achieve impressive themed prints, whether on fabrics or other flat surfaces.

Creativebug is a beloved platform for craft enthusiasts and offers a variety of subscription plans to suit all preferences. Click below to learn more!

Introduction to Adobe Illustrator for Fashion Design 

Mila Moura is your teacher for this course, guaranteeing a fun experience while navigating through the world of fashion design with Adobe Illustrator! 

The textile expert has created this Domestika Basics course to show how user-friendly and effective this software can be and how versatile it is in accommodating different artistic expressions. 

Read also: Best fashion illustration classes

Being a fashion-focused class, you’ll learn specific techniques for editing and manipulating images, pattern creation, button customization, and canvas development. Layering, using the symbols panel, colors, textures, shadows, and more can all be expected.

You’ll also be advised on how you can insert convenient measurement details and notes for manufacturing purposes — perfect if you’re seeking this course for potential professional purposes!

While other Adobe Illustrator classes on this list are great segways to explore this software, if your goal is to enter the world of fashion, click below!

Digital Lettering Made Simple in Adobe Illustrator

Calligraphy and lettering have made their mark in the world of digital art, and in this course, you’ll learn all you need to tackle this skill in Illustrator. 

Throughout this Adobe Illustrator course, Brandon Rike will show you the ins and outs of digital lettering to shed some light on how to use this software to its full potential.

Read also: Best calligraphy sets

Manipulating existing fonts and unique compositions is at the forefront of this course, so your skills will be put to the test through practice drills until you’ve found your style!

For your class project, you’ll make a custom lettering piece based on the skills learned: sketching, font selection, word-building, spacing, kerning, texture, and dimension. 

And if clean-cut results are something you thrive on, you’ll be glad to know that lots of tips on how to apply impeccable finishings for a pro outcome are also part of the deal! 

Adobe Illustrator for Advanced Illustration

Displaying his undeniable passion for this software, Aarón Martínez will be your teacher for this Domestika Basics class and will delve into the advanced options featured on Adobe Illustrator. 

As a professional digital artist, Aarón ensures that staying updated in the illustration world is crucial to keep up with the latest software and trends.

Read also: 15 best Domestika courses in English (plus 5 in Spanish)

That said, for over 11 hours, you’ll learn all about Adobe Illustrator’s advanced functionalities, such as volume features, gradients, and effects. You’ll also learn how to apply these techniques to create a signature style to showcase your work for the web, apps, and editorial pieces.

The steps to imprint graphic illustrations on a myriad of items like patches, stickers, and pins will also be covered.

Although your teacher will briefly review the essentials, this is one of the more advanced Adobe Illustrator classes on the list, so make sure you come prepared!

Drawing Hacks in Illustrator CC for Non-Artists

Hacks, hacks, and more hacks!

During this class, the engaging and down-to-earth Erica Gamet will help you remove the pressure of having to know Adobe Illustrator inside out.

Instead, these lessons will focus on helpful workarounds to master the software’s more challenging features.

Read also: Best map illustration classes

But don’t be fooled, there is a lot to learn here: working with shapes, using the pen and pencil tool, and applying the reflect and rotate functionalities, to name a few features you’ll be exploring.

You’ll also create animal icons and experiment with Adobe Illustrator’s iconic Blob brush! This is definitely one of the most hands-on, easy-to-follow alternatives on our list of Adobe Illustrator classes!

Advanced Techniques in Adobe Illustrator: 5 Hidden Gems to Speed Up Your Digital Design

To complete our list of Adobe Illustrator classes, we’ve added another course focused on providing tips and tricks — this time for advanced learners!

Top Skillshare teacher Esther Nariyoshi will share advanced techniques you can incorporate with this software to optimize and speed up workflow. 

Read also: Skillshare vs Domestika

To make your work more organic, the surface designer will guide you through five key steps to grasp techniques swiftly. You’ll be working with various editing features to spend more time on creation than on corrections and unnecessary retouches.  

Intrigued? You know what to do!

Click below if you want to find out what advanced pro tips you can learn today by signing up for this Skillshare class. Or — try out the platform’s one-month free trial! 

---

That’s it for our list of the best Adobe Illustrator classes! Do you have any more recommendations? Let everyone know in the comments below!