How To Add & Create Texture In Illustrator plus inspiration

After months of requests from our students and supporters, we are excited to announce that we have finally recorded not one, but two tutorials on creating textures in Adobe Illustrator.

In Part 1, Martin will show you how to add shading using the Grain Effect combined with Linear, Radial, and Freeform gradients.

Part 2 covers some more advanced methods using Graphic Styles, Gradient Mesh, and Mesh Tool.

Learning how to create textures and using them on your illustrations can create an organic and natural mood. Textures can add shadow, highlight, depth, and overall improve your drawings.

Below are some inspiration to showcase how other illustrators work with textures on their artwork.

We adore George Tonks's exaggerated wildlife illustration! He has developed a distinctive way of drawing animal forms using texture and vivid colors!

To find out more about his creative process and how he uses Procreate for his drawing, watch our Artist interview tutorial below.

Dan Gartman

Dan Gartman works in both traditional handmade techniques and digital mediums. He is an excellent example of how to use textures to add shading and depth. On his YouTube Channel, you can learn how to create textures in Adobe Photoshop and, in general, improve as an illustrator.

If you love drawing monsters, then you will love Greg Abbott textured monsters.

Want to learn to how to create monsters? Check out our tutorial on drawing Vampire.

Gal Shir

Gal Shir is a highly talented artist known for his short-time lapse videos and the use of textures for highlight and shading. We also worked with Gal Shir to illustrate for our Merch collection!

Brian Miller

If you love environmental design and storytelling, then we think you will Brian Miller's illustration.Check out his website as he provides a detailed explanation of his design process from sketches, color variations to final details.